The present paper aims to develop a mathematical model concerning the visual perception of spatial information. It is a challenging problem in theoretical neuroscience to investigate how the spatial information of the objects in the physical space is encoded and decoded in the neural processes in the brain. In the past, researchers conjectured the existence of an abstract visual space where spatial information processing takes place. Based on several experimental data it was conjectured that the said psychological manifold is non-Euclidean. However, the consideration of the neural origin of the non-Euclidean character of the visual space was not explicit in the models. In the present paper, we showed that the neural mechanism and specifically the Fisher information contained in the neural population code plays the role of energy-momentum tensor to create the space-dependent metric tensor resulting in a curved space described by a curvature tensor. The theoretical prediction of information geometry regarding the emergence of curved manifolds in the presence of the Fisher information is verified in the present work in the domain of neural processing of spatial information at mid-level vision. Several well-known phenomena of visual optics are analyzed using the notion of non-Euclidean visual space, the geodesics of the space, and the Fisher-Rao metric as the suitable psychometric distance.

Visual illusions play a significant role in understanding visual perception. Current methods in understanding and evaluating visual illusions are mostly deterministic filtering based approach and they evaluate on a handful of visual illusions, and the conclusions therefore, are not generic. To this end, we generate a large-scale dataset of 22,366 images (BRI3L: BRightness Illusion Image dataset for Identification and Localization of illusory perception) of the five types of brightness illusions and benchmark the dataset using data-driven neural network based approaches. The dataset contains label information - (1) whether a particular image is illusory/nonillusory, (2) the segmentation mask of the illusory region of the image. Hence, both the classification and segmentation task can be evaluated using this dataset. We follow the standard psychophysical experiments involving human subjects to validate the dataset. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to develop a dataset of visual illusions and benchmark using data-driven approach for illusion classification and localization. We consider five well-studied types of brightness illusions: 1) Hermann grid, 2) Simultaneous Brightness Contrast, 3) White illusion, 4) Grid illusion, and 5) Induced Grating illusion. Benchmarking on the dataset achieves 99.56% accuracy in illusion identification and 84.37% pixel accuracy in illusion localization. The application of deep learning model, it is shown, also generalizes over unseen brightness illusions like brightness assimilation to contrast transitions. We also test the ability of state-of-theart diffusion models to generate brightness illusions. We have provided all the code, dataset, instructions etc in the github repo: https://github.com/aniket004/BRI3L

Brightness in a specific (target) region in the visual field is influenced by the brightness of its neighbouring regions. Depending on the nature of the adjacent regions, this brightness induction is often manifested as brightness contrast, wherein the contrast of the target region with the adjacent region is enhanced. However, a totally reverse effect may also be observed, known as brightness assimilation, wherein the brightness of the target region is averaged over the target and its neighbourhood. There are examples of visual illusions of both these types. For almost the last half a century, people tried to understand whether contrast and assimilation are the manifestation of a single phenomenon, i.e. whether both can be understood under the umbrella of a single unified model, or whether the two illusions are perceived through entirely different methods of computation by the human brain. Experiments have been performed in the past to examine intriguing transition from one of these two types of brightness induction to the other. However, whether it is a low or higher level visual experience is still not clear, though brightness perception is apparently a low-level vision phenomenon. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, till date there exist neither a step-by-step quantitative systematic data on such transitional processes, nor a classical receptive field (the isotropic difference of Gaussian) based low-level visual modelling of such steps. The main purpose of the present paper is to meet this gap. We have studied with careful psychophysics experiment two such cases of transitions. In the first psychophysics experiment, we took a White illusion (WI) stimulus and converted it to a simultaneous brightness contrast illusion through different stages of semi-White illusion (SeWI) using twenty different comparator arrangements, and quantifying the illusory effect. In the second experiment, we used the shifted White illusion as the experimental stimuli and manipulated the aspect ratio (AR), of the target gray patch and found the transitional/threshold AR where the brightness assimilation illusion gets reversed to an brightness contrast illusion, while quantifying twelve different comparator arrangements. Finally, a linear centre surround receptive field model or, a difference of Gaussian (DoG) filter model is simulated to explain the variations of illusory effect produced under the different conditions of such stimuli. The isotropic DoG filter which is known to work well only for the brightness contrast based illusions, is interestingly found to fit well with brightness assimilation illusions as well, by suppression of the inhibitory surround of the classical DoG filter.

Understanding consumer perceptions is crucial for shaping market demand, building consumer confidence, and promoting sustainable practices in the aquaculture sector. The main goal of this study is to examine consumers' perceptions of farmed and wild fish on various attributes, aiming to identify any discrepancies between consumer perception and scientific facts. Using random purposive sampling, a survey was conducted with 250 consumers in selected Malaysian populations recruited via street-intercept interviews. The findings reveal that the debate between consuming farmed fish and wild fish lacks a clear answer, with consumer perceptions, especially regarding freshness and sensory characteristics, often differing from scientific evidence. While fish farming offers advantages in quality control and post-mortem biochemistry, the nutritional composition of fish can vary based on farming conditions. To ensure the success of the aquaculture industry in Malaysia, there is a need to enhance practices, raise awareness among aquaculturists, and educate consumers about the benefits of well-managed aquaculture. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach and addressing the crucial nexus between consumer perceptions and sustainable aquaculture, this study makes a valuable and timely contribution to the ongoing discourse in the aquaculture sector. It offers insights that can inform strategies for promoting responsible seafood consumption and advancing the sustainability agenda in Malaysia's aquaculture industry.

Introduction/Background Increased cancer prevalence among women is alarming. Modifiable risk factors account for more than four out of ten cancer-related deaths. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of exposure to modifiable risk factors along with telomere shortening and DNA damage among women. Methodology The participants were 134 women without any known medical illness, aged 20–50 years. Validated questionnaires assessed physical activity (PA), working pattern, smoking habit, body mass index (BMI), sleep quality, and psychological distress. Leucocyte telomere length (LTL) and DNA damage were evaluated. Hair heavy metals were quantified using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results The mean values (±SE) of BMI and LTL were 26.3±0.5kg/m2 and 5544.9±26.2bp, respectively. Whilst only 4% were smokers, 62% were secondhand smokers. Most participants reported sleep disturbance (95.6%), difficulty in sleep latency (73.1%); 44.8% were poor sleepers. The majority of participants (63.4%) were physically inactive. PA did not meet WHO recommendations and walking contributed the most to the total PA. Psychological distress profile score showed a normal depression and stress levels with a mild level of anxiety. Notably, 56% of the participants were overweight or obese, 35% had abdominal obesity, 48% had at least one metabolic risk factors with 96.3% had vitamin D deficiency (< 50 nmol/L). The amount of fruits and vegetable intake did not meet the Malaysia Dietary Guideline. The prevalence of those who had higher than the normal limit for hair arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead and chromium were 1.5%, 3.7%, 4.5%, 16.4%, and 66.4% respectively. Also, 50.7% had raised% of tail DNA, and 11.2% had raised tail moment indicating DNA damage. Conclusion The exposure to cancer risk factors were high among this population, and the potential impact was seen in DNA damage level and telomere shortening, possibly explaining the increasing incidence of cancer.

The present paper investigates the variation of the strength of illusion as a function of different geometrical parameters of the Müller-Lyer stimulus. The illusory effects are quantified through psychometric experiments. Experimental data are fitted with model constructed on neurophysiological evidence and information geometry. The goodness of fit between the experimental and simulated data are computed using the p value of $$\chi^{2}$$ measure and found > 99% on an average. The foundation of the model is the population coding of Müller-Lyer stimulus through filtering by difference of Gaussian filter representing the center surround receptive field with adaptive scale factors. It is further hypothesized that in the visual cortex (V1) the population code of the neurons images the stimulus on a visual space which is essentially a statistical parametric space with constant negative curvature (hyperbolic space). Fisher-Rao information distance function appears to be the natural measure of proper distance in this space. Application of information geometric model in real-life problem is also discussed.

Dietary intake may interact with gene variants and modulate inflammatory status. This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of fat mass and obesity-associated rs9930501, rs9930506, and rs9932754 and beta-2 adrenergic receptor rs1042713 on C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations using polygenic risk scores (PRS), and modulatory effect of dietary nutrients on these associations. We hypothesized that higher protein intake is associated with lower inflammatory status in individuals genetically predisposed to obesity. PRS was computed as the weighted sum of the risk alleles possessed and stratified into first (0-0.64), second (0.65-3.59), and third (3.60-8.18) tertiles. A total of 128 overweight and obese Malaysian adults were dichotomized into groups of low and elevated inflammatory status (CRP concentrations ≤3 and >3 mg/L, respectively). One-half of the study participants (51%) were found to have elevated inflammatory status. Second- and third-tertile PRS were significantly associated with increased odds of elevated inflammatory status, 7.56 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.98-28.80; adjusted P = .003) and 3.87 (95% CI, 1.10-13.60; adjusted P = .035), respectively. Individuals in the third-tertile PRS had significantly lower CRP concentrations (4.61 ± 1.3 mg/L vs 9.60 ± 2.6 mg/L, P = .019) when consuming ≥14% energy from protein (with an average of 18.0% ± 2.4%, 43.0% ± 7.7%, and 39.0% ± 8.0% energy from protein, carbohydrate, and fat per day). In conclusion, third-tertile PRS was significantly associated with increased odds of elevated CRP; higher protein intake may alleviate inflammatory status and reduce CRP concentrations systemically in those individuals.

Imbalance in or inadequate intake of micronutrients may impair insulin synthesis, secretion, and it's signaling pathways. This study aimed to investigate the associations between dietary copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) with insulin resistance (IR), in overweight/obese adults. We hypothesized that dietary Cu and Se are associated with IR in a non-linear trend. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 128 non-diabetic overweight and obese Malaysian adults aged ≥18 years with a body mass index ≥23 kg/m2. Dietary intake was assessed using food frequency questionnaire. IR was defined as homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) ≥1.7. Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing regression was performed to detect non-linearity and piecewise regression models were computed to examine the trend of the associations at different cut off points. In this study, 45% (n = 57) of the study participants were found to be insulin resistant. A U-shaped non-linear relation between Se and HOMA-IR was observed. Three-piecewise regression models revealed positive association between Se and HOMA-IR in individuals with relatively low (<0.3 µg/kg/d) and high (≥1.01 µg/kg/d) intake of Se (β coefficient = 3.835, CI = -12.216 to 19.886, P= 0.614; and β coefficient = 0.785, CI = 0.386-1.185, P = 0.014, respectively). Significant positive association was only found between dietary Cu and HOMA-IR with intake of Cu ≥ 13.4 µg/kg/d, 0.276 (CI = 0.025-0.526; P = 0.033). In conclusion, our findings reveal that a critical balance in the dietary intake of copper and Se is crucial for health, more so in insulin resistant and diabetic individuals. In the latter treatment should include measured intake of both copper and Se, personalized according to individual habitual food preferences and intakes.

Osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) describes the concurrent presence of obesity, low bone mass, and low muscle mass in an individual. Currently, no established criteria exist to diagnose OSO. We hypothesized that obese individuals require different cut-points from standard cut-points to define low bone mass and low muscle mass due to their higher weight load. In this study, we determined cutoff values for the screening of osteosarcopenia (OS) in obese postmenopausal Malaysian women based on the measurements of quantitative ultrasound (QUS), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and functional performance test. Then, we compared the cutoff values derived by 3 different statistical modeling methods, (1) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, (2) lowest quintile of the study population, and (3) 2 standard deviations (SD) below the mean value of a young reference group, and discussed the most suitable method to screen for the presence of OS in obese population. One hundred and forty-one (n = 141) postmenopausal Malaysian women participated in the study. Bone density was assessed using calcaneal quantitative ultrasound. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Handgrip strength was assessed using a handgrip dynamometer, and physical performance was assessed using a modified Short Physical Performance Battery test. ROC curve was determined to be the most suitable statistical modeling method to derive the cutoffs for the presence of OS in obese population. From the ROC curve method, the final model to estimate the probability of OS in obese postmenopausal women is comprised of five variables: handgrip strength (HGS, with area under the curve (AUC) = 0.698 and threshold ≤ 16.5 kg), skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI, AUC = 0.966 and threshold ≤ 8.2 kg/m2), fat-free mass index (FFMI, AUC = 0.946 and threshold ≤ 15.2 kg/m2), broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA, AUC = 0.987 and threshold ≤ 52.85 dB/MHz), and speed of sound (SOS, AUC = 0.991 and threshold ≤ 1492.15 m/s). Portable equipment may be used to screen for OS in obese women. Early identification of OS can help lower the risk of advanced functional impairment that can lead to physical disability in obese postmenopausal women.

Obesity has been linked to DNA damage. The modifiable risk factors may modulate the impact of obesity on DNA damage. This study aimed to assess DNA damage and its association with dietary nutrient, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and concentration of hair heavy metals of obese and non-obese women. A case–control study was conducted involving 134 women aged between 20 and 50 years. Serum 25(OH)D, fasting glucose, and lipid profile were assessed. Indicators of DNA damage such as percentage of tail DNA, tail moment, tail olive moment, tail intensity and tail length were measured using an alkaline-comet assay. Concentrations of hair heavy metals were quantified using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Participants' daily energy, macro, and micronutrient intake were collected using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Mean values of serum 25(OH)D was 31.8 ± 0.9 nmol/L. 96.3% of participants were vitamin D deficiency (< 50 nmol/L). The mean BMI was 26.3 ± 0.5 kg/m2. Half of the participants (50.7%) have a high frequency of DNA strand breaks. Mean concentration of hair heavy metals (mg/kg) were 0.1 ± 0.03 (arsenic), 0.2 ± 0.1 (cadmium), 1.0 ± 0.4 (mercury), 2.8 ± 0.8 (lead),and 6.2 ± 0.4 (chromium). There was no significant difference for the mean of serum 25(OH)D, indicators of DNA damage, concentrations of hair heavy metals and dietary nutrients between obese and non-obese groups (p > 0.05). Obese women with serum 25(OH)D level of ≥ 31 nmol/L had a significantly lower tail moment (p = 0.029) and tail olive moment (p = 0.031); thus, indicating less DNA damage. Additionally, obese women with hair chromium concentration of ≥ 5.88 mg/kg had a significantly higher tail moment (p = 0.047), indicating more DNA damage. DNA damage among obese women correlated with serum 25(OH)D and hair chromium.

The concurrent presence of low bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis) and low muscle mass (sarcopenia) in older adults has led to the recognition of “osteosarcopenia” (OS) as a singular entity. Vitamin D may play important role in the manifestation of OS, in terms of intake, absorption, and bioavailability. Evidence suggests that bioavailable 25(OH)D may be a better indicator of Vitamin D compared to total 25(OH)D due to its weak bind to albumin, increasing its ‘availability’. The aim of this study was to assess total and bioavailable 25(OH)D levels in postmenopausal women and to determine their associations to bone density and muscle mass. We assessed body composition, bone density, and 25(OH)D indices of multiethnic, postmenopausal Malaysian women. A significant and negative correlation was found between body fat % and each index of 25(OH)D. Both bioavailable and total 25(OH)D were positively correlated with serum calcium and negatively correlated with iPTH(intact parathyroid hormone). VDBP(Vitamin D binding protein) level was significantly correlated with bioavailable 25(OH)D level, but not with the total 25(OH)D level. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that bioavailable, but not total, 25(OH)D was significantly correlated to bone density and muscle mass, (where stronger correlation was found with bone density), suggesting its superiority. Nevertheless, the low effect size warrants further studies.

Introduction:The optimal level of total 25(OH)D in Malaysian postmenopausal women that is necessary to ameliorate the combined effects of decreased bone mineral and muscle mass, and increase in adiposity, as seen in osteosarcopenic obesity, is unknown.Given that these are common pathologies existing in bone, muscle and excess fat-related disorders, this study investigated the association between body composition, functional capacity and total 25(OH)D levels.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 117 postmenopausal Malaysian women aged 50-88 years.Total 25(OH)D was analysed by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay CMIA on Siemens ® platforms.Bone mineral was measured by broadband ultrasound attenuation.Functional performance was assessed using modified components of short physical performance battery test.Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25.0).Results: Overall, 47% women were vitamin D deficient; 3% had none, 22% had one, 65% had two, and 10% had all three adverse body composition indicators (osteosarcopenic obesity).Individuals without any adverse body composition indicator had higher total 25(OH) D (74.7±7.0nmol/L,p=0.004) compared to all the other groups [1 (53.0±3.8nmol/L); 2 (48.7±1.9nmol/L) and 3 (58.3±5.4nmol/L)].The single inflection point (ROC curve) for total 25(OH)D in predicting osteosarcopenic obesity was 58.9nmol/L.Conclusion: Higher vitamin D levels were associated with lower body fat, enhanced bone quality, and improved functional capacity.Maintaining vitamin D levels above >58.9nmol/Lmay protect Malaysian postmenopausal women against the combined pathologies of bone, muscle and excess fat.

Evidence suggests that dietary nutrients may interact with gene variants and modulate in fl ammatory status in obese individuals (1) . This study, aimed to investigate the combined effect of FTO (rs9930506, rs9930506 and rs9932754) and ADRB2 (rs1042713) gene variants on high-sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) levels using polygenic risk scores (PRS). Modulatory effects of dietary nutrients on the above associations were investigated as well. 128 overweight and obese Malaysian (57 Malay, 24 Chinese and 47 Indian) adults were recruited. Dietary, physical activity, anthropometric and blood biochemical parameters were collected. Elevated hsCRP level was de fi ned as hsRCP >3mg/L, indicating higher in fl ammatory status and risk of cardiovascular events (2) . The risk allele of each SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) was captured from published GWAS studies (3 – 4) , including FTO rs9930501 (G allele), rs9930506 (G allele) and rs9932754 (C allele) and ADRB2 rs1042713 (G allele). The odds ratio (OR) of obesity for each SNP was computed. Genetic predisposition to obesity was assessed by PRS. PRS was computed as the sum of individual ’ s risk alleles across the 4 SNPs, weighted by the effect size of each risk allele using their respective natural log of OR for obesity. Participants were strati fi ed into tertiles of fi rst 0.64), Written informed was obtained from all participants. Statistics: logistic regression was performed to determine the effect of PRS on the odds of elevated hsCRP level. Gene-diet interaction on hsCRP level was conducted by using general linear model after adjusting for covariates. Dietary protein was dichotomized to 2 groups using the median value of 14%/day, for analysis.

The pattern of spatial contrast discontinuities in natural images has been analysed in the present work, and based on it, a new adaptive model of the bio-inspired Difference of Gaussian (DOG)-based edge detector has been designed. The distinguishing feature of the proposed filter is that the magnitude of surround suppression in receptive field of the DOG is adaptively adjusted depending on the nature of discontinuity of the edge profile. The model is based on the biological evidences indicating the possibility that human brain may be endowed with the ability to perform Fourier decomposition of visual images into its various components of spatial frequencies. It may be shown that information obtained from such a Fourier decomposition may help to measure the strength of contrast (sharpness of discontinuity) in the intensity profile across any possible edge in the natural image. In the present model, it is assumed that the magnitude of surround suppression in an excitatory–inhibitory receptive field is dependent on the sharpness of discontinuity. The suppression is strong when the edge contrast is poor, while it becomes weaker as the edge contrast is high. At a biphasic edge, the surround suppression is vanishingly small. Natural images collected from benchmark databases are used to evaluate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed model for the detection of edges. The result shows that the edge maps generated through the proposed model are at par, if not more effective as compared to the classical edge detectors like Canny. The performance of the proposed model is also compared with a number of recently proposed alternative adaptive models for edge detection.

Background: Computing polygenic risk scores (PRS) to predict the degree of risk for obesity may contribute to weight management programs strategically. Objectives: To investigate the combined effect of FTO rs9930501, rs9930506, and rs9932754 and ADRB2 rs1042713 and rs1042714 using PRS on (1) the odds of obesity and (2) post-intervention differences in dietary, anthropometric, and cardiometabolic parameters in response to high-protein calorie-restricted, high-vitamin E, high-fiber (Hipcref) diet intervention in Malaysian adults. Methods: Both a cross-sectional study (n = 178) and a randomized controlled trial (RCT) (n = 128) were conducted to test the aforementioned objectives. PRS was computed as the weighted sum of the risk alleles possessed by each individual participant. Participants were stratified into first (PRS 0–0.64), second (PRS 0.65–3.59), and third (PRS 3.60–8.18) tertiles. Results: The third tertile of PRS was associated with significantly higher odds of obesity: 2.29 (95% CI = 1.11–4.72, adjusted p = 0.025) compared to the first tertile. Indians (3.9 ± 0.3) had significantly higher PRS compared to Chinese (2.1 ± 0.4) (p = 0.010). In the RCT, a greater reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels was found in second and third tertiles after Hipcref diet intervention compared to the control diet (p interaction = 0.048). Conclusion: Higher PRS was significantly associated with increased odds of obesity. Individuals with higher PRS had a significantly greater reduction in hsCRP levels after Hipcref diet compared to the control diet.

Background : The main purpose of this paper is to understand the multidimensional phenomenon of the nutrition transition in Malaysia, from 1980 to 2014, to inform future policies for a healthier nation. Methods : Food and health data were obtained through Food Balance Sheets, Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) and National Health and Morbidity Surveys (NHMS) for year-to-year review. Interaction between changes in food supplies and dietary trends and the progression of diet-related diseases and risk factors in tandem with demographic and socioeconomic transitions were observed using quasi-historical approach. Results : The period-under-review has seen Malaysia becoming more affluent, urbanised and modernised. Energy supply for Malaysian population remained consistently in excess of average calorie needs by a minimum of 30%. There were significant signs of shifting food trends, particularly in the supply of wheat (+56.5%), rice (-23.7%), sugar and sweeteners (+23.9%), meat (+49.3%), fish and seafood (+38.7%), and eggs (+55.7%). The plant/animal protein ratio has decreased over time. Prevalence of NCD and associated risk factors has increased rapidly, some as high as 170%, despite various policy efforts to reduce them. Conclusion : The study highlights the importance of policymakers taking a relook into its policies and strategies, and formulate sustainable, comprehensive and multifaceted actions together with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a conducive, healthy and nutritious food systems and environment for its population.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Hipcref (high-protein, energy-restricted, high-vitamin E and high-fibre) diet in Malaysian adults on body composition and metabolic parameters after an intervention period of 6 months. Overweight/obese Malaysian adults (n128; BMI≥23 kg/m2) were randomised to the Hipcref (n65) or control diet (n63). The intervention group received Hipcref diet charts based on their personal preferences. The control group followed a generalised dietary advice based on Malaysian Dietary Guidelines, 2010. All participants were responsible for preparing their own meals. There was a significant treatment group×time effect on anthropometric parameters (P<0·05) on an intention-to-treat basis. Pairwise comparisons revealed that Hipcref diet participants had significant reduction in weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass and percentage body fat at months 3 and 6 compared with baseline (P<0·001). The control group had significant increase in weight and BMI at months 3 and 6 compared with baseline (P<0·05). The Hipcref diet group had higher reduction in fasting insulin, insulin resistance and C-reactive protein levels compared with the control group at month 6 (P<0·05). Post-intervention, compared with the control group, the Hipcref diet group was found to consume significantly higher percentage energy from protein, and PUFA, higher energy-adjusted vitamin E (mg) and fibre (g), and lower total energy, lower percentage energy from fat and carbohydrate (P<0·05). The success of the Hipcref diet on overweight/obese Malaysian adults may be due to the combined effect of the nutrient composition of the Hipcref diet.

The main purpose of this paper is to understand the multidimensional phenomenon of the nutrition transition in Malaysia, from 1980 to 2014. Primary and secondary data sets were obtained through Food Balance Sheets, Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) and National Health and Morbidity Surveys (NHMS) for year‐to‐year review. It was found that the energy supply for Malaysian population remained consistently in excess of average calorie needs by a minimum of 30%. There were significant signs of shifting food trends, particularly in the supply of wheat (+56.5%), rice (‐23.7%), sugar and sweeteners (+23.9%), meat (+49.3%), fish and seafood (+38.7%), and eggs (+55.7%). The plant/animal protein ratio has decreased over time. Demographics and NHMS data series suggested the coexistence of undernutrition, overnutrition and “hidden hunger”. Prevalence of NCDs and associated risk factors has increased rapidly, some as high as 170%, in the recent 20 years. This situation clearly indicates a failure to provide the right foods to those who need it when they need it. Overabundance of food is one of the contributing factors to the obesity epidemic. Apart from increasing the healthcare burden, the continued over‐consumption of animal products and refined and processed food will have a major impact on national food and nutritional security. The intensive nature of production systems to produce these commodities poses threats to sustainability, with consequences for food and nutritional security and climate inequity. The multiple concurrent transitions as described highlight the importance of establishing a dietary model that matches nutritional requirements with environment preservation. The role of a sustainable food system in eradicating malnutrition and its cost deserves more attention and recognition from policymakers.