Factors Affecting Nutritional Status of Children below 24 Months in Pekan District, Pahang, Malaysia
- Author:
Nargis Masroor
;
Jamaluddin Ab Rahman
;
Tin Myo Han
;
Muzzaffar Ali Khan Khattak
;
Aye Aye
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Anthropometry, childhood malnutrition, maternal education, social status
- MeSH:
Nutritional Status;
Child Nutrition Disorders;
Educational Status;
Social Conditions;
Pahang
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2014;20(2):197-207
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of children below 24 months in the district of Pekan, Pahang, and identify the contributing factors.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional methodology, a total of 910 children was selected by random sampling from four public health clinics. Anthropometric measurements were taken and weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-forheight were calculated in Z scores. Immediate caregivers of children were interviewed by using a pretested validated questionnaire to assess their socioeconomic, demographic, educational and occupational status. Results: Of the 910 children who participated in the study, the majority were Malay (70.1%), while the remaining comprised indigenous or Orang-Asli (OA) children.
Prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight were 28.7 %, 15.6 % and 19.0% respectively. There were more underweight males than females. Wasting was most common among children aged below 6 months. Stunting was more prevalent in children between 12 to 24 months. Obesity was seen in 7.3% of the sample. Maternal education, employment and socio-economic status had a significant influence on wasting and underweight. Children were vulnerable to stunting as age advanced, whereas prevalence of wasting tended to decrease. Conclusion: Malnutrition exists in significant proportions among children below 24 months
in the Pekan district. This study identified low birth weight along with age, race, gender, large family size and socio-economic status as important risk factors
of malnutrition.
- Full text:P020141217351224830473.pdf
