National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS 2026): Maternal & Child Health
Research Team Member for the Nutritional Status module, data analyst for Nutritional Status, and field supervision for Kedah and Perlis.
Professional Profile
Nutritionist & Researcher
Ruhaya Salleh is a Nutritionist and Researcher at the Centre for Nutrition Epidemiology Research, Institute for Public Health. She has extensive experience in nutrition epidemiology, community nutrition, dietary assessment, food security and adult nutrition. She was the Principal Investigator for the Adolescent Nutrition Survey, NHMS 2017, and has been involved in national nutrition research projects.
Her work includes peer-reviewed research and contributions to national nutrition guidelines and policies, including the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines and Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Malaysia.
Research Focus
Research Interests
Nutrition Epidemiology
Community Nutrition
Dietary Assessment
Food Security
Adult Nutrition
Public Health Nutrition
Current & Recent Work
Selected Research Projects
Selected national and collaborative research activities listed in the Curriculum Vitae.
Menu Calorie Labelling in Asia
Research Team Member for a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effect of menu calorie labelling on food selection and knowledge in Asia.
Barriers to Fruit & Vegetable Intake Among Adolescents
Research Team Member in a qualitative study examining barriers associated with inadequate fruit and vegetable intake among adolescents.
NHMS 2024: Nutrition — Food Security Module
Research Team Member contributing to the Food Security module within the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2024.
Research Outputs
Featured Publications
A selection of recent and representative peer-reviewed publications.
2026
Risk factors for stunting children in urban areas: case-control study in Putrajaya
Discov Public Health 23, 219 (2026).
View publication2026
Development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire for national nutrition surveillance among Malaysian adolescents and adults
Journal of Nutritional Science, 15, e48.
Find on Google Scholar2025
Consumption of carbonated soft drinks and association with health behaviours and mental health among adolescents in Malaysia
BMC Nutrition (2025), findings from the 2022 Adolescent Health Survey.
Find on Google Scholar2023
Nutrient Profiling Model Towards Recommendation of A Healthy Diet: A Scoping Review
Jurnal Gizi dan Pangan, 18(3), 2023.
Find on Google Scholar2021
Is socio-demographic status, body mass index, and consumption of food away from home associated with high sodium intake among adults in Malaysia?
Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition (MyCoSS findings).
Find on PubMed2020
Factor contributing to food insecurity among older persons in Malaysia
Geriatrics & Gerontology International, findings from NHMS 2018.
Find on Google ScholarResearch Identity
Researcher IDs & Academic Metrics
Web of Science Researcher ID
AAS-1061-2021
ORCID
0000-0001-6418-840X
Google Scholar
k5K7mXIAAAAJ (H-Index: 13)
Scopus
57200386726 (H-Index: 9)
Academic Background
Education & Membership
Master of Health Science (Community Nutrition)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 2015
Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Community Health)
Universiti Putra Malaysia, 1998
Lifetime Member, Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM)
Lifetime Member, Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity (MASO)
Member, Persatuan Ahli Pemakanan Sektor Awam Malaysia (NuPSA)
Lifetime Member, Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity (MASO)
Member, Persatuan Ahli Pemakanan Sektor Awam Malaysia (NuPSA)
Recognition
Selected Awards
2023 — Best E-Poster Presentation
2nd National Ministry of Health Nutritionist Symposium
2020 — Excellent Service Award
Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health
2017 — Second Best Poster Presentation
1st National Ministry of Health Nutritionist Symposium
HLP — 2020 & 2013
Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan, Ministry of Health
Research Presence
Academic Profiles & Databases
Research identifiers, indexed publications and academic profiles across major platforms.
Full Curriculum Vitae
Scan the QR code to view the complete Curriculum Vitae on another device, or open it directly here.
Research & Professional Enquiries
Research Collaboration & Academic Enquiries
For research collaboration, academic enquiries and professional communication, please contact Ruhaya Salleh through her official Ministry of Health email.
ruhaya.s@moh.gov.my
Centre for Nutrition Epidemiology Research (CNER)
Institute for Public Health
Institute for Public Health