Optimization Techniques and Programming for Developing Cost-Effective and Balanced Diet Schedules for Preschoolers

Norliana Mohd Lip; Suliadi Firdaus Sufahani; Nur Islami  Mohd Fahmi Teng

doi:10.29207/resti.v9i5.6650

Authors

Norliana Mohd Lip Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4764-970X
Suliadi Firdaus Sufahani Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
Nur Islami Mohd Fahmi Teng Universiti Teknologi MARA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29207/resti.v9i5.6650

Keywords:

binary programming, integer programming, linear programming, nutrition, optimization

Abstract

Proper nutrition is important for the growth, motor and cognitive development of young children since the foods consumed determine how well-rounded a child's diet is. However, preschool menu planning is complex because it requires balancing multiple constraints such as cost, dietary guidelines, and food variety. This study introduces a computational approach to menu planning for preschools through Linear Programming (LP), Integer Programming (IP), and Binary Programming (BP). This study highlights algorithmic design, constraint modelling, and computational efficiency in solving optimization problems, rather than focusing primarily on dietary outcomes. The models were tested using Malaysian food database to evaluate both feasibility and efficiency. The findings indicate that all models successfully fulfilled the Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNI 2017) for children aged 4 to 6, ensuring adequate levels of energy, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, and fat. In terms of cost, the LP model was the most economical at RM4.20 per day, but impractical due to fractional servings. The IP model produced a more realistic balance between cost and practicality at RM4.40 per day. The BP model generated the most diverse and implementable menus at RM5.00 per day, though at a higher cost. Overall, these optimization methods provide decision-support tools for enhancing the efficiency of preschool menu planning.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Norliana Mohd Lip, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

Norliana binti Mohd Lip is a senior lecturer at Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (FSKM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seremban. She is currently pursuing her PhD focusing on mathematical optimization methods, particularly in the contect of menu planning and nutrition.

References

[[1] F. B. Utami, “The implementation of eating healthy program in early childhood,” JPUD - Jurnal Pendidikan Usia Dini, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 125–140, 2020, doi: 10.21009/141.09.

H. C. Ngo, Y. N. Cheah, O. S. Goh, Y. H. Choo, H. Basiron, and Y. J. Kumar, “A review on automated menu planning approaches,” Journal of Computer Science, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. 582–596, 2016, doi: 10.3844/jcssp.2016.582.596.

N. H. Choon, “A menu planning model using hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Fuzzy Reasoning: A study on Malaysian geriatric cancer patients,” PhD thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia. 2016.

M. A. M. Nazri, S. F. Sufahani, “Enhances knowledge in sciences and technology optimization approach on planning balance nutrient intake for secondary school students aged 16 to 18,” vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 252–262, 2024, doi: 10.30880/ekst.2024.04.02.029.

T. E. Siong, “Right nutrition for your child: Pemakanan yang sihat untuk anak anda”, 2001.

WHO, “World Health Organization Fact sheets: Malnutrition,” 2020.

I. K. Pangaribuan, F. M. Said, S. B. A. Rahim, H. C. Hassan, and S. Poddar, “Stunting care application and its effect in early detection of stunting in toddlers in Langkat district,” JK Practitioner, vol. 28, no. 1–2, 2023.

M. Yanto, F. Hadi, and S. Arlis, “Optimization of Machine Learning classification analysis of malnutrition cases in children,” Jurnal RESTI (Rekayasa Sistem dan Teknologi Informasi), vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 1378–1386, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.29207/resti. v7i6.5278.

J. Budzulak, K. A. Majewska, and A. Kędzia, “Malnutrition as the cause of growth retardation among children in developed countries,” 2022. doi: 10.26444/aaem/148010.

M. D. Onis and M. Blössner, “The world health organization global database on child growth and malnutrition: Methodology and applications,” Int J Epidemiol, vol. 32, no. 4, 2003, doi: 10.1093/ije/dyg099.

D. Lestari, A. M. Abadi, A. Dhorurri, A. I. Tarigan, and E. Herlinawati, “Optimization of nutritional menu planning for toddlers by Goal Programming model,” Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Research, Implementation, and Education of Mathematics and Sciences (ICRIEMS 2020), vol. 528, no. Icriems 2020, pp. 264–273, 2021, doi: 10.2991/assehr.k.210305.038.

N. Nordianiwati, N. G. Fitriana, L. Situmean, I. A. Tyarini, and A. Setyawati, “Education on the role of family in stunting prevention in toddlers,” Abdimas Polsaka, vol. 3, no. 1, 2024, doi: 10.35816/abdimaspolsaka.v3i1.62.

R. E. Sari, E. Wisudariani, E. Lasmarida, O. Lesmana, and M. Syukri, “Management implemented of stimulation, detection, and early intervention of growth toddler at Municipality Jambi; A qualitative study,” International Journal of Public Health Excellence (IJPHE), vol. 2, no. 1, 2022, doi: 10.55299/ijphe.v2i1.232.

M. of H. M. National Coordinating Commitee on Food and Nutrition (NCCFN), Malaysia Dietary Guideline for Children & Adolescents, vol. Second Edi, 2023.

“Ministry of Health Malaysia Guidelines for National Coordinating Committee on Food and Nutrition (NCCFN) Ministry of Health Malaysia, 2023.”

E. Sulistiyani, P. H. Putri, F. K. Putri, and E. D. Irbah, “My daily menu: Website-based technology instruments to increase the effectiveness of diet menu planning,” AIP Conference Proceedings, 2023. doi: 10.1063/5.0124191.

S. Sufahani and Z. Ismail, “A new menu planning model for Malaysian secondary schools using optimization approach,” Applied Mathematical Sciences, vol. 8, no. 149–152, 2014, doi: 10.12988/ams.2014.49725.

Z. B. S. Hamid, R. Rajikan, S. M. Elias, and N. A. Jamil, “Utilization of a diet optimization model in ensuring adequate intake among pregnant women in Selangor, Malaysia,” International Journal Environ Res Public Health, vol. 16, no. 23, 2019, doi: 10.3390/ijerph16234720.

I. Yilmaz and L. Polat, “Celiac disease multi-purpose diet plan through integrated Goal Programming and Interval Type-2 Fuzzy TOPSIS Method,” Expert Syst Appl, vol. 218, no. September 2022, p. 119618, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.eswa.2023.119618.

N. D. Jalil, M. Masrom, W. Normeza, and W. Zakaria, “A mathematical model of healthy diet menu plan for MARA Junior Science College boarding schools,” Journal of Advanced Research Design Journal homepage, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 8–14, 2017.

C. Ott and F. Jäkel, “SimplifEx: Simplifying and explaining linear programs,” Cogn Syst Res, vol. 88, no. July 2023, p. 101298, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.cogsys.2024.101298.

L. Benvenuti, A. D. Santis, F. Santesarti, and L. Tocca, “An optimal plan for food consumption with minimal environmental impact: The case of school lunch menus,” J Clean Prod, vol. 129, pp. 704–713, 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.03.051.

S. F. Sufahani and Z. Ismail, “Planning a nutritious and healthy menu for Malaysian school children aged 13-18 using ‘Delete-Reshuffle Algorithm’ in Binary Integer Programming,” Journal of Applied Sciences, vol. 15, no. 10, 2015, doi: 10.3923/jas.2015.1239.1244.

S. F. Sufahani and Z. Ismail, “A diet planning model for malaysian boarding school using zero-one integer programming,” Prosiding Seminar Kebangsaan Aplikasi Sains dan Matematik, no. October, 2013.

N. S. M. Sapri, M. R. B. D. S. Bedi, S. Abdul-Rahman, and A. M. Benjamin, “A diet recommendation for diabetic patients using Integer Programming,” in AIP Conference Proceedings, 2019. doi: 10.1063/1.5121101.

V. K. Tadia, R. Mahesh, and S. Satpathy, “Nutrient and cost optimization in menu planning at an apex tertiary care hospital using operational research techniques,” Medico-Legal Update, vol. 21, no. 1, 2021.

H. Carin, K. Mageda, L. Katalambula, and M. Munyogwa, “Linear programmed dietary plan education intervention dataset on improving caregivers knowledge, attitude and energy intake among children aged 2–5 years living with HIV in Simiyu region, Tanzania,” Data Brief, vol. 57, p. 110963, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.110963.

E. Y. Arquitectura, T. I. Introducci, E. Karpicka, and E. Brembilla, Nutrient guide for early childhood care and education professional, vol. 53, no. 9. 2015.

“Recommended nutrient intakes for Malaysia (RNI)”, A report of the technical working group on nutritional guidelines national coordinating committee on food and nutrition Ministry of Health Malaysia Ministry of Health Malaysia. 2017.

“For every child. For every reason,” Journal for Healthcare Quality, vol. 29, no. 3, p. 56, 2007, doi: 10.1111/j.1945-1474.2007.tb00196.x.

Ministry of Health Malaysia, Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Malaysia. 2005.

National Technical Working Group of Malaysian Food Composition Database, “Protocol for sampling and methods of analysis for Malaysian food composition database,” pp. 72–74, 2011.

M. Azam, M. Nazri, and S. F. Sufahani, “EKST Optimization approach on planning balance nutrient intake for secondary school students aged 16 to 18,” vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 252–262, 2024.

F. B. Baharom, N. A. M. Zailani, and S. F. Sufahani, “Binary Programming for primary school diet among autism children in Malaysia,” in Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 2022. doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-7597-3_15.

A. J. L. Pe, J. K. Coaching, S. G. D. Yeung, W. Akeboshi, and R. K. C. Billones, “Cost optimization for weekly meal planning of college students based on calorie constraints using Linear Programming (LP) method,” in 2022 IEEE 14th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment, and Management, HNICEM 2022, 2022. doi: 10.1109/HNICEM57413.2022.10109597.

A. A. Putra, N. Putri, I. Rina, and A. Oktavia, “Journal of Applied Mathematics and Modelling Branch and Bound Method in Determine Integer Linear Programming Solutions from UMKM Rendang Nan Lamak, Padang City,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://ejournal.cibnusantara.org/index.php/jamm

J. D. Chancahuana Castillo, W. N. Parisuana Yucra, M. N. Soto, and S. C. Ynfantes, “Integer Linear Programming model for profit maximization using Branch and Bound Algorithm in retail companies: Case of a Peruvian company,” in Procedia Computer Science, Elsevier B.V., 2024, pp. 1054–1061. doi: 10.1016/j.procs.2024.06.134.

K. F. Doerner, W. J. Gutjahr, R. F. Hartl, C. Strauss, and C. Stummer, “Pareto ant colony optimization with ILP preprocessing in multiobjective project portfolio selection,” Eur J Oper Res, vol. 171, no. 3, 2006, doi: 10.1016/j.ejor.2004.09.009.

L. Wang and M. Nikouei Mehr, “An optimization approach to epistasis detection,” Eur J Oper Res, vol. 274, no. 3, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.ejor.2018.10.032.

F. B. Baharom, N. A. M. Zailani, and S. F. Sufahani, “Binary Programming for primary school diet among autism children in Malaysia,” in Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 2022. doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-7597-3_15.

S. Reeves et al., “From ToyBox Study to eToyBox: Advancing childhood obesity reduction in Malaysian kindergartens,” Int J Environ Res Public Health, vol. 20, no. 16, 2023, doi: 10.3390/ijerph20166614.

N. A. Saipudin, N. Suhairom, and N. H. A. Wahid, “Family food choices motive among Malaysian preschool children’s parents,” Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, vol. 22, no. 3, 2022, doi: 10.37268/MJPHM/VOL.22/NO.3/ART.1631.

J. L. Higle and S. W. Wallace, “Sensitivity analysis and uncertainty in linear programming,” Interfaces (Providence), vol. 33, no. 4, 2003, doi: 10.1287/inte.33.4.53.16370.

E. Borgonovo, G. T. Buzzard, and R. E. Wendell, “A global tolerance approach to sensitivity analysis in linear programming,” Eur J Oper Res, vol. 267, no. 1, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.ejor.2017.11.034.