Overview
Launched in 2025, this project is funded under the British Council's International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) and brings together partners from the United Kingdom and Malaysia to examine how digital food environments, including e-commerce platforms, food delivery applications, and social media, influence dietary behaviours and nutrition outcomes. The project is led by the University of Leeds (UoL) and the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM), with partner institutions including Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) leading specific components of the project.
Focusing on the general population, with particular attention to adolescents and young adults, the project supports the development of evidence-informed strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable digital food environments in Malaysia and the wider region.
Why It Matters
The digital transformation of food systems presents both opportunities and risks for public health. While digital platforms can improve access, convenience, and food safety information, they may also amplify exposure to unhealthy food marketing and undermine traditional dietary practices.
Understanding these dynamics is critical for designing policies and interventions that promote healthier and more equitable food environments.
Objectives & Key Components
Objectives
- Examine the nature, reach, and influence of digital food environments in Malaysia
- Assess digital platform engagement and dietary behaviors among adolescents and young adults
- Identify actionable evidence for policy and regulatory development
- Build local capacity for digital food environment research
Key Components
- Digital food environment assessment using web scraping and platform audits
- Stakeholder consultation and expert engagement
- Survey and behavioral assessment among target groups
- Capacity-building workshops and knowledge exchange
Contribution to UK–SEA ChAN Network
This project strengthens the UK–SEA ChAN Network's research portfolio by expanding attention to digital and commercial influences on child and adolescent nutrition.
It supports capacity-building across partner institutions, contributes to regional policy dialogue, and creates a foundation for future research on digital food systems and nutrition transitions.
Partners
- University of LeedsUnited Kingdom · Co-lead Institution
- University of Nottingham MalaysiaMalaysia · Co-lead Institution
- Universiti Putra MalaysiaMalaysia · Partner Institution
- Khazanah Research InstituteMalaysia · Partner Institution
Funding
British Council's International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF)
Additional support from Akademi Sains Malaysia (ASM)