The Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, warmly congratulates Prem Ananth a/l Palaniappan on the successful defence of his Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) thesis entitled “Association of Health Literacy and Health-Promoting Behaviours on Healthy Cooking Behaviour Among Food Handlers.” This important research addresses a timely public health issue by examining how health literacy and health-promoting behaviours influence healthy cooking practices among food handlers, ultimately contributing to healthier food environments in Malaysia.
Thesis Summary
Non-communicable diseases remain one of the greatest public health challenges globally, with unhealthy dietary practices being a major contributing factor. As Malaysians increasingly consume meals prepared outside the home, food handlers have become influential stakeholders in promoting healthier eating habits. Recognising this, Prem’s research sought to better understand the factors influencing healthy cooking behaviour among food handlers.
The study was conducted in two phases. First, the Healthy Cooking Index was successfully adapted, translated and validated into the Malay language (HCI-M), providing Malaysia with a culturally appropriate and reliable instrument for assessing healthy cooking behaviour. The second phase investigated the relationship between health literacy, health-promoting behaviours and healthy cooking practices among food handlers in Kota Marudu, Sabah.
The findings demonstrated that while food handlers generally possessed sufficient health literacy and moderate health-promoting behaviours, their healthy cooking practices remained relatively low. Health literacy was positively associated with health-promoting behaviours, and health-promoting behaviours were significantly associated with healthier cooking practices. The study also highlighted the need for targeted interventions to strengthen these factors, thereby supporting healthier food preparation and improved dietary outcomes within the community.
Highlights of the Candidate’s Achievements
Prem’s doctoral research has achieved several significant milestones that advance the field of public health nutrition:
- Successfully adapted, translated and validated the Healthy Cooking Index into Malay (HCI-M), providing a robust and reliable assessment tool for use among Malaysian food handlers.
- Produced one of the few studies in Malaysia examining healthy cooking behaviour beyond traditional food safety and hygiene perspectives.
- Established important evidence linking health literacy with health-promoting behaviours among food handlers.
- Identified health-promoting behaviours as an important determinant of healthy cooking practices.
- Generated valuable baseline evidence to support future intervention programmes aimed at improving nutrition and healthier food preparation in food service settings.
- Positioned food handlers as important contributors to creating healthier food environments and supporting healthier dietary choices among the wider population.
Contribution to Public Health
Prem’s research makes a valuable contribution to public health by expanding our understanding of behavioural factors that influence healthier food preparation in commercial food settings. The validated HCI-M instrument provides researchers, policymakers and public health practitioners with an evidence-based tool to evaluate and monitor healthy cooking practices across Malaysia.
Importantly, the findings emphasise that improving health literacy and encouraging health-promoting lifestyles among food handlers can contribute to healthier meal preparation, supporting national efforts to reduce diet-related non-communicable diseases. By highlighting the pivotal role of food handlers within the food environment, this research offers practical insights for designing nutrition education programmes, workplace interventions and public health policies that promote healthier eating for the Malaysian population.
Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge the invaluable guidance and mentorship provided by Prem Ananth a/l Palaniappan’s supervisors, Professor Dr. Hazreen Abdul Majid, Associate Professor Dr. Farizah Mohd Hairi, and Dr. Ng Ai Kah, whose expertise and support were instrumental in the completion of his thesis.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Dr. Orkan Okan, Professorship of Health Literacy / TUM Health Literacy Unit, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, External Examiner, and Associate Professor Dr. Lim Yin Cheng, Internal Examiner.
We would also like to thank the Committee of Examiners for their thorough evaluation and insightful feedback, including Professor Dr. Julia Anak Patrick Engkasan, Chairperson of the viva voce session; Professor Dr. Victor Hoe Chee Wai Abdullah, Head of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya; together with all members of the examination committee for their invaluable contributions throughout the viva voce examination.
Congratulations and Future Expectations
Heartiest congratulations to Dr. Prem Ananth a/l Palaniappan on this outstanding academic achievement. The successful completion of his Doctor of Public Health degree reflects years of dedication, perseverance and commitment to advancing evidence-based public health research.
We are confident that his work will continue to influence research, policy development and public health practice, particularly in the fields of nutrition, health literacy and healthy food environments. We wish him every success as he continues to contribute towards improving population health and promoting healthier communities in Malaysia and beyond.
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