Halalan-Toyyiban Concept as Religious-Based Intervention Tool to Improve Nutritional Knowledge and Dietary Practices Among IIUM Youth

Abstract

The dietary patterns of university students have increasingly shifted towards unhealthy consumption behaviours, contributing to the global rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular illnesses. Concurrently, malnutrition has become apparent among students due to their inability to access and consume sufficient and nutritious food. Within the context of Muslim populations, the Halalan-Toyyiban dietary concept offers a comprehensive framework that emphasizes both lawful consumption (halal) and wholesomeness (toyyiban), aligning spiritual obligations with public health imperatives. However, the operationalization of this concept in nutrition education remains underexplored. This study sought to develop and evaluate a Religious-Based Digital Intervention Tool (RB-DIT) based on the Halalan-Toyyiban framework to improve nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and dietary practices among students at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The research was conducted through a four-phase, mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with experts in Islamic dietary law and nutrition were thematically analysed to identify key components underpinning the Halalan-Toyyiban dietary model. These components informed the development of the RB-DIT modules, which were then embedded into a web-based learning management system. In the quantitative phase, pre- and post-intervention surveys were administered to both intervention and control groups, with data analysed using paired and independent sample t-tests to assess the tool�s effectiveness. The results revealed significant post-intervention improvements among the intervention group across all domains: nutritional knowledge (p < 0.001), attitudes (p < 0.001), and dietary practices (p < 0.001), whereas the control group demonstrated no significant changes. The RB-DIT also exhibited high internal consistency (Cronbach�s alpha = 0.892) and was favourably received by participants. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the viability of integrating religious values into digital public health interventions. The RB-DIT offers a culturally congruent and scalable model for fostering healthier dietary behaviours among Muslim youth, contributing to the evolving discourse on halal science, nutrition education, and behaviour change strategies. Future studies should consider validating this tool in diverse settings and populations.