Development and validation of a nutritional education model for malnourished preschool children in Malaysia

Malnutrition in children is a serious public health concern that can lead to developmental delays, stunted growth, speech difficulties, and cognitive impairments, often resulting in long-term disabilities. This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive nutritional education model to address malnutrition among Malaysian preschool children. The model was designed in alignment with policies and guidelines from the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to ensure its relevance and practicality. Using a Design and Development Research (DDR) approach, the study was conducted in three phases. In Phase One, semi-structured interviews with four teachers and three mothers of malnourished preschoolers were used to gather information on educational needs. Phase Two involved a focus group discussion with five experts to identify key components of the model, followed by the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) with six experts to refine these elements. In Phase Three, the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) with five experts was used to confirm the model’s applicability. The final model consists of three main components—home, school, and community—comprising eight, five, and four elements, respectively. This model offers a structured and context-specific approach to nutritional education and serves as a practical tool for educators and policymakers in addressing early childhood malnutrition in Malaysia.