Growth patterns of urban Malaysian children under 24 months of age in Selangor, Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2021-0103
- Author:
Heng Yaw Yong
1
,
2
;
Zalilah Mohd Shariff
1
;
Chee Yen Wong
3
Author Information
1. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia&
2. Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3. School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak Campus, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Malaysia, malnutrition, obesity, overweight, retrospective studies
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2023;29(No.1):1-15
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: To identify the growth patterns of young children during the first
two years of life according to gestational age, birth weight, and growth status
at 24 months of age. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 4,570
young children in Selangor. Data were extracted from children’s health records
in government health clinics. Growth data were analysed using the Anthro Plus
software that utilises the World Health Organization growth standards. Results:
Generally, wasting prevalence was the highest at birth and 24 months, but stunting
was more predominant from 1 to 21 months. Weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ), lengthfor-age z-scores (LAZ), and weight-for-length z-scores (WLZ) from birth to 24 months
were within -3.00 to 0.00 standard deviation (SD) for pre-term low birth weight
children, –1.50 to 0.00 SD for pre-term normal birth weight children, and –2.50 to
0.50 SD for full-term low birth weight children. While WAZ, LAZ, and WLZ from birth
to 24 months for underweight/stunted/wasted children were within –2.50 to 0.50
SD, the values for overweight/obese (OV/OB) children were within –1.00 to 2.00
SD. For normal children, WAZ, LAZ, and WLZ exhibited comparable trends, with
values within –1.00 to 0.00 SD from birth to 24 months. Conclusion: While stunting
and wasting persisted as the most common forms of malnutrition in this sample of
young children, the prevalence of OV/OB increased by 24 months. Interventions to
promote child growth should focus not only on the prevention of undernutrition,
but also on OV/OB.
- Full text:4.2023my0599.pdf
