Proposed Standard Framework of Healthy Nutrition Literacy for Preschool Children in Malaysia: A Concept Paper

Abstract

Healthy nutrition during early childhood is crucial for children’s physical growth, cognitive development, and the formation of lifelong eating behaviours. In Malaysia, child nutrition issues remain complex, as undernutrition, overweight, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies continue to coexist. Although national references such as the Recommended Nutrient Intakes and the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines provide important guidance, they do not yet offer a developmentally sequenced and pedagogically grounded standard for healthy nutrition literacy among preschool children. This concept paper therefore proposes a Standard Framework of Healthy Nutrition Literacy for preschool children in Malaysia. The paper adopts a qualitative conceptual approach based on document analysis and a focused literature review of peer-reviewed studies, policy documents, curriculum-related materials, and theoretical sources in nutrition literacy, food literacy, child development, and early childhood education. The proposed framework is child-centred and ecologically informed, recognising the role of families, teachers, preschool routines, food environments, and wider community influences. Four interrelated domains are proposed: basic knowledge of healthy food, awareness and attitudes towards healthy eating, basic food choice and decision-making skills, and healthy eating practices in daily life. Overall, the framework provides a foundation for curriculum development, pedagogical planning, and future empirical validation in Malaysia.