Kuala Lumpur: With the prevalence of childhood stunting steadily rising over the last few years, it remains one of Malaysia's biggest hurdles to overcome.
Stunting refers to the inability for a child to reach the potential height for their age. One is considered stunted if their height is more than two standard deviations below the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Child Growth Standards.
According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey, stunting among Malaysian children increased from 17% in 2015 to 21.8% in 2019.
Dr See Kwee Ching, Head of Department of Paediatrics at Hospital Sg Buloh, explained that stunting involves a complex interaction of household, environmental, social, economic and cultural influences.
Some major underlying causes include post-pandemic food security – which affects the quality and quantity of food that a household consumes – and maternal anaemia.
“We have close to 25% of mothers of reproductive age who have anaemia. In terms of mothers who are pregnant with anaemia, it is close to about 37%.
“Almost one third of mothers have anaemia during pregnancy. This has a lot of influence on the foetus in the uterus,” he said, adding that this could lead to one developing hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases later on in life.
Other common factors were inadequate care and feeding practices, which See said were prevalent in society.
The ones most at risk of stunting, he said, are those from poorer households, minorities and marginalised communities, particularly refugees and the homeless.
However, stunting still cuts across ethnicities, occupations, income levels, education levels and states – making it a national issue.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin previously said the country was facing a “double burden” of malnutrition among children under the age of five and increasing obesity rates among adults.
Kelantan, Putrajaya, Terengganu and Pahang have recorded the highest rates of stunted growth among children.
The government now aims to reduce the prevalence of stunting among children to 11% by 2025 and at least 8% by 2030.
In order to achieve this target, See said there needs to be a “holistic approach” when addressing the underlying causes of stunting, especially food security.
“The key principles regarding the management of stunting in the country is an ‘all-of-society, all-of-country’ approach. It should not fall just on the Ministry of Health or any other ministry.”
He added that there should be more focus on the critical 1,000-day period, which refers to a child’s life from the moment they are conceived until they have reached two years of age.
“It’s good to note that all children across the world would have the same growth trajectory in the first five years of life, whether you’re Malaysian, born in America, or born in Europe.
“It is only by the influences of nutrition, environment and healthcare facilities that these things are sometimes affected to a certain degree. So, modifying a lot of these along the way will help to prevent stunting in children.”
Following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, See said it was worth amending Malaysia's target to 15% by 2025 and 10% by 2030.
“I think we are on good footing to tackle this at the moment, given that the government has taken note of the problem,” he said.
“Hopefully we can see some good outcomes as the years go, but it’s going to be challenging post-pandemic and with the rising inflation index in the country.”
Faye Kwan
Thu Jul 07 2022
One is considered stunted if their height is more than two standard deviations below the World Health Organisations (WHO) Child Growth Standards - File Pic
AWANI Tonight: How will Iran-Israel situation evolve after tit-for-tat attacks?
Iranian officials and media are playing down the Israeli attack on Isfahan, saying it was limited to three small drones. Analyst Jonathan Lord discusses the Iranian response as concerns grow over a possible war with Israel.
AWANI Tonight: India: voters head to polls in world's biggest election
India’s 2024 general election kicks of today with over 969 million eligible voters. Rahul Mishra from Jawaharlal Nehru University shares what to expect as voters head to polls in the world’s biggest election. India, election, Narendra Modi, Rahul Mishra
Ringgit terus meningkat berbanding dolar AS semasa ditutup
Pada 6 petang, ringgit mengukuh kepada 4.7810/7855 berbanding dolar AS daripada 4.7840/7870 semasa ditutup pada Khamis.
Tidak perlu terlalu terkesan dengan lawak perkauman - Belia
Wakil Malaysia Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program, Amira Aliya Abd Aziz berkata tidak perlu ambil hati dengan jenaka bersifat perkauman selagi mana ia tidak melibatkan isu-isu yang sensitif. Jelasnya, masyarakat berhak untuk membuat pendirian tersendiri terhadap jenaka-jenaka yang dibuat tetapi tidak perlu sehingga dipanaskan secara keterlaluan. #DialogAnakMuda
Raikan perbezaan selagi tidak menggunakan kaum untuk meraih perhatian - Mahasiswa
Setiausaha Agung Demokrat Universiti Malaya, Krishan Renganathan berkata perbezaan pandangan dalam sebuah negara demokrasi adalah suatu yang lumrah. Jelasnya, batas dalam perbezaan itu adalah tidak menggunakan sensitiviti kaum untuk meraih perhatian dan memancing isu. #DialogAnakMuda
Pupuk sikap mendengar tanpa bersifat emosional, reaksi terburu-buru - Belia
Graduan undang-undang Taylor’s University Malaysia, Faith Ling berkata masyarakat perlu amalkan sikap mendengar dari semua pihak secara terbuka tanpa bersikap emosional dan memberi reaksi secara terburu-buru demi menyantuni perbezaan pendapat yang wujud. Jelasnya, isu seperti konflik Israel-Palestin adalah terlalu kompleks dan perlu diamati dengan berhati-hati demi menjaga keharmonian. #DialogAnakMuda
Minda individu bawah 25 tahun lebih mudah dilentur hormat sensitiviti kaum - Pemimpin GSL
Pengurus Program Pemimpin GSL, Bernard Ow berkata minda generasi bawah 25 tahun lebih mudah untuk dilentur dan dilahirkan sebagai agen perpaduan dalam masyarakat. Jelasnya, perkara utama yang perlu ditekankan adalah aspek menghormati perbezaan pandangan yang rencam dalam konteks Malaysia. #DialogAnakMuda
Perpaduan bukan bermakna tiada pergaduhan - Undi18
Alumni Program Undi18, Khairun Sofea berkata mencapai status masyarakat bersatu-padu bukan bermakna mencipta komuniti yang tidak ada perbalahan. Sebaliknya, ketegangan akan terus berlaku tetapi masyarakat yang hidup dalam perpaduan akan cuba saling hormat dan faham, seterusnya mengekalkan keharmonian. #DialogAnakMuda
METMalaysia terus pantau perkembangan letusan Gunung Ruang
Pihak METMalaysia juga melaksanakan simulasi untuk mengenal pasti potensi berlaku tsunami akibat letusan itu dan ancamannya kepada Malaysia.
AWANI 7:45 [19/04/2024] – Perang Iran-Israel | Gaji baharu penjawat awam | Cubaan seludup dadah tumpas
Laporan berita padat dan ringkas #AWANI745 bersama Irfan Faruqi
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- Perkembangan terbaharu perang Iran-Israel, Israel membisu pascaserangan
- Kerajaan teliti situasi di Iran, kemungkinan bawa keluar rakyat Malaysia
-Tambah baik gaji penjawat awam, tunggu hari pekerja, kata PM
- Buang beras? Sebenarnya beras sudah rosak
#AWANInews
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- Perkembangan terbaharu perang Iran-Israel, Israel membisu pascaserangan
- Kerajaan teliti situasi di Iran, kemungkinan bawa keluar rakyat Malaysia
-Tambah baik gaji penjawat awam, tunggu hari pekerja, kata PM
- Buang beras? Sebenarnya beras sudah rosak
#AWANInews