Malaysia's childhood stunting shock
GEORGETOWN - Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) says the chronic issue of stunted growth among children due to the lack of food and nutrients is alarming considering the country is experiencing a rapid economic growth.
Its president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the situation was becoming worse when lower income families affected by Covid-19 do not the capabilities to purchase nutritious food for their children.
He said poverty and stunting were two factors that could compromise the growth of young minds including cognitive functions.
"Malaysia has ratified the Children Rights Convention (CRC), food safety and children's health are the responsibilities of the state.
"The government needs to develop a holistic approach towards food and not only look at it from the health sector.
"The programme to give food to schools could help children who are undernourished to recover from stunting similar to the food program in India that helps children recover from the decline in growth," he said in a statement recently.
Mohideen said the government should put the polices in place to improve the access for families towards a more nutritious and affordable food source.
"A mass communication campaign throughout the whole country regarding stunting and necessary food should be implemented immediately looking at the residents of Malaysia's knowledge on health is low and stunting issues can't be seen by the naked eye.
"At the time there are multiple public campaigns had besides nutrition education among expectant and breastfeeding mothers in clinics and hospitals.
"Additionally, education regarding the diets for babies and children is integrated into the public health programmes in clinics. This includes spreading of written materials, lectures for mothers after childbirth, seminars and also cooking demonstrations," he said.
However, he said the reach was limited due to low public participation.
He said the food campaign at the time did not explain the issue of stunting, the effects on health and development for children, but only focused on issues of obesity and non-communicable diseases.
Mohideen urged authorities to ensure nutritious food was available and research should be done to ensure each child receives attention.
"The government needs to organise and support child-friendly policy changes, prepare quality services to each child and providing campaigns to change the mind and perception regarding stunting.
"Authorities should also empower young people towards becoming agents of change by equipping them with necessary knowledge and skills," he said.
He said the CAP supports the steps from Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to establish a special committee to overcome the multitude of food issues among children.
Stunting is a growth failure common among young children due to poor nutrition and infection rather than genetic factors.
The failure of growth is closely related to poverty that prevents access to food quantity and quality that is sufficient, clean and sanitised water along with quality primary healthcare.
According to research done in 2016 by National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), the stunt rate in Malaysia is 21 per cent, three times higher than the overall prevalence of seven per cent a year in middle income countries like Malaysia.
The research stated the number of children who are stunted under five-years-old had risen from 17.7 per cent in 2015 to 21.8 per cent on 2019.
