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The Importance of Balanced Diet for the Human

Capital Formation on Physical and Mental Fitness
CHE IBRAHIM AZHANI 1, YUSOF YUSMARWATI 2, POH KEONG PUA 3

1, 2, 3
University Tun Hussein Onn, Malaysia

Published online: 17 October 2015

To cite this article: Azhani, C. I., Yusmarwati, Y., & Pua, P. K., (2015). The importance of balanced diet to the human capital
formation on physical and mental fitness. International Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 1(3), 114-118.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.20469/ijhss.20001-3
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 International Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences IJHASS
2015, 1(3), 114-118

THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCED DIET FOR THE HUMAN CAPITAL

FORMATION ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL FITNESS

CHE IBRAHIM AZHANI 1*, YUSOF YUSMARWATI 2, POH KEONG PUA 3

1, 2, 3
University Tun Hussein Onn, Malaysia

Keywords: Abstract. In order to achieve the status of a developed nation, first class mind of human capital is an important
Balanced Nutrition asset to the country. In moving towards an era of globalization and modernization, human capital should be
Human Capital knowledgeable, confident, dynamic, innovative, creative, as well as physically fit and active. Balanced diet can
First-Class Mind have a positive impact on productive workforce and helps them meeting the criteria of the first-class minds
which are working towards agility, accuracy of work and employment success. Such minds lead to the
achievement of high income, good health and the formation of values and good habits that give prosperity to
one's life. Thus, a lifestyle with a balanced diet is one important element in maintaining the health and vitality of
human capital. Physical and mental human development was also influenced by the type and pattern of their diet.
A balanced diet is a practice that is important for maintaining mental and physical health for a long time. Apart
Received: 4 June 2015 from maintaining mental fitness, healthy diet can also prevent individuals from chronic diseases such as diabetes,
Accepted: 18 August 2015 obesity and heart problems. Therefore, this paper discusses the importance of balanced diet for human capital
Published: 17 October 2015
formation covering aspects of physical and mental fitness as well as forming a community of excellence in
education and social lifestyle. In this study, research will be conducted by using an observation in the defined
population, as well as survey with questionnaires that will be distributed to students at four technical universities
in Malaysia. It is hoped that this research study could serve as a guideline for university students in managing
their diet style, hence, constituting a vibrant human mental and physical labor equipped with first-class minds.

© 2015 KKG Publications. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION


Excellent human capital development with mental and physical (optimum nutrition management) (Rahman, 2011). In today's life,
fitness is very important to create the productive assets for the a balanced diet is essential to ensure the consistently healthy life
country. Malaysia is now in the journey towards achieving Vision that eventually could prevent individuals from any diseases.
2020 in which our country will become a developed country in a According to Embleton, Pang and Cooke (2001), nutrition is an
holistic manner. One emphasis in the National Mission is the important component for development and human growth.
development of human capital for the country's future success According to the professionals, with more detailed evaluation of
that is dependent on the quality of its human capital either the nutritional needs of the body, it can contribute towards
intellectually or with respect to the personality. This is in line optimal development of the human body, intellectual
with the National Philosophy and national educational goals development, and thus overall health conditions.
which is to produce a balanced and harmonious human capital in Healthy food consumption should be started from an early
terms of intellect, spirituality, emotional stability and physical childhood stage because it will affect the lifetime of individuals.
strength as well as by faith and obedience to God (Mohamad, With reference to the medical evidence, the lack of iron in the
2009). body can cause anemia, obesity, eating disorders and oral
In producing a balanced and harmonious life style, one important problems. Healthy eating habits during childhood can also affect
factor is healthy food and balanced diet. Food is a basic need for a particular individual’s risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke,
human beings. It affects most of the human life, including their cancer, and the possibility of other chronic diseases (US
lifestyle, culture and economy. Based on scientific evidence, there Department of Health and Human Services, USDHHS, 2000).
are three branches of food including nutritional sciences The practice of healthy eating
(preparation, preservation, safety and quality), substance (food as well, it help avoid the problem of obesity, which is one of the
efficacy in improving human health and nutritional studies main factors contributing to health problems among most people,

*Corresponding author: Che Ibrahim Azhani

E-mail address: azhaniphd@yahoo.com.my

Content from this work is copyrighted by KKG Publications, which permits restricted commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium under a written permission. Users may
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2015 Int. J.Hum. Art. Soc. Sci. 115

including students. In the early stages of the education, the It was formed or created through investments in education,
provision of a healthy diet is necessary to supply students with training before work, job training, health, migration and the
nutrients that are essential for physical and mental development search for information that can improve a person's quality of life.
leading to an active and intelligent mind. The fulfillment of the The present value of such investments can determine the level of
nutritional needs of the body can help them stay fit and active, human capital that exists in an individual person.
and thus help them to think creatively and critically. At this stage, According to Schultz (1971), there are five categories that can be
students should be introduced to a balanced diet menu for focused in enhancing human capabilities, in turn to produce
adjusting them to healthy eating habits. Positive perceptions of human capital, namely:
students about healthy food must be nurtured in the first instance. 1. Health facilities and services
Besides that, the food served in the university area must also meet 2. On-the-job training
health standards and should be balanced in terms of nutrients to 3. Provision of formal education at the primary, secondary and
meet the needs of the students for promoting the learning process. tertiary levels.
By fulfilling the requirements of proper nutrition, it could help 4. Learning programs for adults
students to have a good learning process. Adequate nutrition can 5. Migration of a person or family to get better career
help students to think smarter and increase concentration in class. opportunities.
Students who lack certain nutrients in the diet for example, iron, The third item has mentioned that the formation of human capital,
iodine, protein etc. do not have the same concentration for includes the provision of formal education at the primary,
learning as compared to the students who have more balanced secondary and tertiary levels. The development of human capital
diets. This is because the content of food consumed would be able with excellent mental and physical capabilities is very important
to affect mental and physical health of the individual (Thompson, to create the country's productive assets. Food is found as one of
& Govindji, 2009). the fundamental factors in human development which is also
In this study, the emphasis is focused on the physical and mental mentioned as the first element in the list above. Therefore, a
development of a student which generally are influenced by healthy food consumption is fundamental in shaping the mind and
eating habits. The future focus in Malaysia is to produce skillful physique of children. One element that should be concerned in
human resources. Therefore, the university as one of the healthy food is nutrition.
institutions that produce human resources, is seen as a suitable
place to educate the new generation about eating healthy diet. Nutrition
Hereinafter, it is necessary to understand the eating habits and the Nutrition are substances that are needed to live and grow or a
diet among students in the university to promote a healthy student substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken
life and encourage a good learning process. Hence, this study will in from of its surroundings. It is used to build and repair tissues,
choose the Malaysian Technical Universities (MTUN) as the regulate body processes and is converted and used as energy.
location of the study, which include Universiti Tun Hessein Onn There are different methods of nutrient consumption. Animals eat
Malaysia, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia food that is digested by an internal digestive system, but most
Perlis and Universiti Malaysia Pahang. plants absorb nutrients directly from the soil through the roots or
Thus, the objectives of this study are to: from the atmosphere (Whitney, DeBruyne, Pinna, & Rolfes,
 Identify balanced nutrition policy practiced by cafeterias in 2010).
the Malaysia Technical Universities (MTUN). Whilst, in the development and growth of human, the human
 Identify the practical guidelines by university administration body operates as a complicated machine and functions depending
and cafeteria management towards healthy eating style. on the different chemical reactions. Chemicals that help the body
 Identify the influence of diet on the development of students’ processes can be found in the food consumed. These chemicals
physical and mental fitness in Malaysia Technical help to produce nutrients (Caunii, Cuciureanu, Zakar, Tonea, &
Universities (MTUN). Giuchici, 2010).
 Identify the relationship between healthy diet and the mental Nutrients taken should be balanced to ensure the good diet and
and physical fitness of students. healthier life. Nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats,
fibers, water, vitamins, and minerals. All these classes will be the
REVIEW OF LITERATURE contents in daily foods served either individually, in combination
Human Capital or may include all the seven classes. Poor health may be the result
Human capital is defined as the characteristics of workers that of either not enough or too much of a nutrient, or some nutrients -
make them more productive. This capital could not be transferred an imbalance (Nordqvist, 2014). Therefore, balanced diet is
from one person to another but someone needs to invest to get it important to human body in keeping a good physical and mental
(Hamat and Che Nordin, 2012). health.
116 C. I. Azhani, Y. Yusmarwati, P. K. Pua - The Important 2015

Balanced Diet classroom, which could lead to the problem such as less activity
A balanced diet is essential for the growth and development of and so on.
infants and children. A good practice of healthy diet is important, To help identify healthy food and balanced portion of food to be
regardless of age and level of intelligence (Ministry of Health, taken, the food pyramid is a guide that is easy for people to
2012). According to studies, obesity among children is a general understand the balanced diet. The pyramid is illustrated as Figure
health problem in Malaysia that needs to be addressed 1. The right decision with the recommendations from the food
immediately (Soo, Manan, Manaf, & Lee, 2011). This situation, pyramid can contribute to balanced nutrition menu which
more or less could give a negative impact on children, especially indirectly, helps towards healthy physical and positive mental
the level of concentration of children who are learning in the development (Ministry of Health, 2010).

FIGURE 1
The Food Pyramid, Ministry of Health Malaysia 2012

Figure 1 shows the food pyramid that could guide users to choose importantly, it significantly could affect the health of a person
right menu for their daily diet with balanced consumption of food (Rahman, 1999).
from each category (level). The lowest level is carbohydrates as In daily life of a student, taking a balanced diet and systematic
the main group that supplies 50% to 55% of total daily energy. eating schedule with consistent healthy food is important to
The second level is comprised of fruits and vegetables which are ensure the mental and physical health (Abdullah, & Ali, 2011).
good sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that Maintaining and controlling eating habits with a balanced diet can
help to strengthen resistance against diseases (immunity). Level ensure good health and an active mind. Meals that are consumed
three indicates a good source of protein needed to build body and would affect the thinking process and minds of students. If food
rich in B vitamins, iron and zinc. The top level which is level four taken is balanced, students can learn easily without being
shows these foods should be taken in small quantities only. disturbed by any health problems (Tajul Ariff, Soelaiman,
Excessive consumption can increase the risk of chronic diseases Pramanik, & Shuid, 2012). Hence, the Ministry of Health, as well
such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases and high blood pressure as Ministry of Education have taken few steps to ensure the
(Mowat et al., 2011) implementation of the healthy food in the schools’ canteens. This
Consumption of foods based on the food pyramid and in effort is considered as a step to promote balanced diet among
accordance with the right composition can help to practice a students (Marquart, 2011), and it should comply to university
healthy eating habit and balanced diet. There are many benefits of cafeterias as well.
healthy eating habits. Among them, it could help to improve Based on studies before, there are several factors that affect the
students’ performance in their learning such as concentration in type of diet for university students. According to Abdullah and
the classroom and increase comprehension and memory (Govindji Ali (2011), factors that influence eating practices of university
et al., 2002). In addition, physical and nutritional conditions could students staying on campus is the financial status of the students
also influence a person's appearance (Blades, 2001), and most and their dining routine. Less emphasis has been placed on
2015 Int. J.Hum. Art. Soc. Sci. 117

balanced nutrition by the operators of the campus cafeteria who A questionnaire is an instrument that is commonly used in a
gear towards promoting unbalanced diet among students. survey research design (Ghafar, & Najib, 2003). Two sets of
Awareness of the diet should also be in focus point by the questionnaire will be administered before (pre) and after (post)
university administration to provide guidance regarding food on the introduction of a Healthy Food Menu. The pre and post
campus so that a healthy and balanced diet is served to the questionnaires are helpful to identify any differences of mental
students. and physical health after the introduction of the menu.
Accordingly, this research is expected to create awareness among
the university administration and food operators to follow healthy CONCLUSION
eating guidelines planned by the Ministry of Education and Excellent human capital development of mental and physical
Ministry of Health. It could help to produce a balanced menu and fitness is very important to produce the country's productive
healthy food in cafeterias and universities to be served and sold to assets. Food is one of the fundamental factors in human
students and staff. This ambiance could create positive perception development that helps the healthy development of human capital
among students about healthy food menu, where students can in terms of physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual growth.
adopt the types of healthy food, gradually choose to continue Therefore, a balanced diet is essential for the development of
healthy eating habits and manage their diet. physical and mental capabilities of students in shaping the next
generation with first-class minds, as well as forming a community
RESEARCH METHOD of excellence in education and social life. Accordingly, this study
In this study, an observation will be done in the defined is hoped to provide a guidance or reference to the Ministry of
population, together with the set of survey questionnaires which Education in the governance of food preparation in educational
will be randomly distributed to the students at four technical institutions throughout Malaysia. This study can also bring
universities in Malaysia. Those universities are Universiti Tun awareness to the students and universities, as well as the food
Hussein Onn Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Universiti operators to be more concerned in food preparation in order to
Malaysia Pahang, and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia. protect the health of the students, which indirectly could also
At the early stage, preliminary observations in the university affect students’ learning process in the classroom. In addition, the
cafeteria will be conducted to assess the menu and nutritional university students, as one of the main sources of human capital,
content of the food served. Following that, the study will propose are being hoped to manage their diet style, hence, constitute a
a menu of healthy food to be served at the university cafeteria. vibrant human mental and physical labor to meet the criteria for
After few weeks, a questionnaire will be distributed to a sample. having first-class mind.

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