Most importantly, the findings of this study suggest that
the availability and wide selection of healthy food away from
home plays an important role in promoting Malaysians to eat
healthily. Interestingly, this particular barrier was not listed
as the most important barriers perceived by the respondents
in previous literatures in other populations. For example, a
study by [32] in the EU populations reported that the
percentage of respondents perceived selection influences as
important barrier to healthy eating ranged from only 9% to
35%. In contrast, more than 55% of respondents in the
current study cited the availability and selection factor as the
most important barrier in eating healthily. Despite the
growing number of food service outlets in the country,
healthy or nutritious options are either unavailable or limited
in comparison with other countries. This scenario
demonstrated the fact that in Malaysia, the food industry in
general and fast food operators in particular has not being
fully supportive in offering healthy options in their menus or
product lines. This might be the plausible explanation on the
difficulties facing by people in the country in practicing
healthy eating behavior. The growing number of food service
entities most notably fast food restaurants, has brought about
negative impacts to the health state of the populations. To
date, there is no specific regulation in the country concerning
the nutritious menu options that should be offered,
particularly by the fast food operators. However, all fast food
restaurants are required to present the nutrition information
on the wrapper or on brochures, pamphlets or posters. In
addition, guidelines for the advertising of fast food on
children were implemented. The guidelines stipulated that
the fast food industry is prohibited from sponsoring children
programs on television. The similar practice has been
implemented in other countries such as in U.K. and Canada
[33]. Other than this initiative, the government via the Health
Ministry should take proactive actions in ensuring the general
public has greater access to healthy eating habits. One of the
stringent actions that should be considered is to introduce a
law or regulation enforcing the food operators to provide
healthier options in their menus.