Household food waste behaviour in Sarawak, Malaysia: a hierarchical regression analysis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Food and Agriculture Organization defines food waste as the reduction
in the nutritional value or mass of any edible part of food intended for human consumption.
Malaysia produces approximately 17 thousand tons of food waste daily, which can threaten the
environment. Present study aims to apply the Theory of Planned Behaviour to identify the factors
associated with food waste behaviour in Sarawak.
METHODS: A study was conducted between October 2020 and August 2022 using cross-sectional
study design. Households across Sarawak state were chosen using multistage random sampling
technique. 2,059 respondents' data were collected via face-to-face interviews. Data analysis
was performed using SPSS version 27.0 with a p-value of < 0.05 being considered statistically
significant.
RESULTS: Hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed that personal attitude (p < 0.001),
subjective norms (p < 0.01), age (p < 0.05), gender (p < 0.05) and wealth (p < 0.01) positively
and age inversely related with intentions not to waste food, while personal attitude (p < 0.001),
subjective norms (p < 0.001), inversely related and perceived behavioural control (p < 0.001),
and intentions (p < 0.05), age (p < 0.01) and gender (p < 0.01) positively related with food waste
behaviour.
CONCLUSION: Results from the present study can strengthen the understanding of food waste
behaviour among the Sarawak population. Long-term programs focusing on reducing food waste
behaviour would be more effective in tackling this issue, as changing attitudes and norms in the
community usually require a long time.