BCKGROUND: Food price has been identified as one of the main factors which deter the affordability of healthy diet and hence in achieving the standard set by the guidelines. Therefore, this study attempts to develop a healthy and balanced diet plan at minimum cost for low-income adults based on MDG 2010 and RNI 2005 using Linear Programming and access its acceptance among low-income family.
METHODOLOGY: Linear programming analysis was used to develop the cheapest food combinations that could fulfill all the nutritional recommendations and palatable constraints. Following that, healthy menus were created using the optimal food servings estimated from linear programming model. Then, a mobile application (MENU C-HAT or Menu Creater for Healthy and Thrifty diet) was developed as a tool of nutrition information particularly in suggesting low cost healthy and balanced menus that meet individual requirement and adhering to Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2010 (MDG 2010) and Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI 2005). Lastly, the acceptance of the application was evaluated among low-income adults.
RESULT : Using linear programming analysis, average minimum food cost has been estimated at RM 5.03±0.53 for 1500kcal, RM5.23±0.41 for 1800kcal and RM5.68±0.48 for 2000kcal per day per person which also met the recommendation of MDG 2010 and RNI 2005. Moreover, 90% of selected subject agreed with Menu C-HAT© application as tool of nutrition information among low income group.
CONCLUSION: Hence, development of healthy and palatable diets at minimum cost is able to overcome dietary problem among low income group where food prices becomes an important restraining factor. Therefore, adults with low-income can now plan their healthy menu without hurting their pockets using Menu C-HAT application.
Key words: Linear programming,food price, low-income,
Malaysian Dietary Guideline
