A study of knowledge, awareness and eating habits of Orang Asli children at Sg Rual primary school, Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia

Malnutrition among Malaysia's Orang Asli populations remains an urgent public health issue driven by socioeconomic inequities, geographical isolation, and limited access to nutritious food. This study was conducted with the aid of structured questionnaires among Orang Asli children in Sg Rual Primary School, Jeli, Kelantan. Employing robust descriptive and inferential statistical tests to quantify dietary knowledge, awareness, and eating habits revealed alarming trends: 48% of the children possessed poor healthy diet knowledge, 60% had poor awareness, and 51% had poor eating habits, including poor fruit and vegetable consumption and high processed food consumption, while statistical test revealed weak but significant correlations between awareness and eating habits (r = 0.266, p < 0.001) and knowledge and eating habits (r = 0.214, p < 0.05), with further stratification revealing that gender, income, age, and parental occupation significantly influenced these findings, reflecting systemic disparities in nutritional health. These findings underscore the need for multi-sectoral, evidence-driven interventions, including community-tailored nutrition education programs, school-based dietary interventions, and policy reforms that improve food security and access, particularly in marginalised Indigenous populations, while supporting Malaysia's National Plan of Action for Nutrition and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being). This study not only fills a critical research gap but also provides actionable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and NGOs to design equitable, culturally sensitive strategies that address malnutrition, enhance health literacy, and promote sustainable dietary practices among Orang Asli children, ultimately advancing health equity and long-term well-being for Malaysia’s most vulnerable populations.