B40 kids caught in vicious malnutrition cycle

PETALING JAYA: Children from lower-income families who cannot afford healthy food are unsurprisingly more susceptible to malnutrition, say health experts.

They said this could then lead to health issues such as obesity and diabetes – a problem made worse by the rising cost of living.

“The increased cost of food can certainly contribute to malnutrition problems among preschool kids, schoolchildren and teens,” said Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) president Tee E. Siong (pic).

“This will be especially serious among B40 families.”

These families, he said, would bear the brunt of malnutrition problems as they lack the economic power to get balanced meals.

Quoting research by NSM in 2019, he said that about 30% of schoolchildren were found to be overweight or obese.

“These malnutrition problems are brought about by unhealthy dietary practices and imbalanced meals with high amounts of calories, carbs and fat while lacking vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.“

Such diets lack quality protein and vitamins and minerals for growth and development. The stunted children may put on weight because of the high-calorie intake, but they will not grow tall and there is no proper functioning of the body.“

Such children soon become overweight, and then obese,” he said, adding that it would then lead to a higher risk of diabetes.

On Jan 8, the Health Ministry sent out messages on social media advising parents not to provide too many snacks or processed foods to their children.

According to the ministry, one in three schoolchildren had been categorised as overweight or obese.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Amar-Singh HSS said B40 parents end up having to provide cheaper and unhealthy processed food to their children.

“The rising cost of living has meant that food has become more expensive. Hence, parents from poorer backgrounds end up providing cheaper energy-dense (carbohydrate-based) foods to their children,” he said.

He said paediatricians in Malaysia have noticed a significant increase in the number of diabetic children, especially Type Two, which is related to obesity.

He also said that it is important for children from the lower socioeconomic group to be provided with free healthy meals.

“Meals at schools can influence children’s eating habits.

“Research shows that healthier school meals improve children’s eating habits – hence, working with school canteens to provide better quality meals is a useful strategy,” he said.