Nearly 30% of kids in M'sia have stunted growth due to unhealthy diet, says Health Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: Almost 30% of young children in Malaysia suffer from stunted growth caused by "unhealthy diets" from both ends of the financial spectrum, says the Health Ministry.

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said 29.7% of children within daycare age (zero to four years old) had or are currently suffering from stunted growth, according to ministry's data from the last five years.

He said that Kelantan and Putrajaya had among the highest ratio of children suffering from stunted growth, adding that this shows that the issue was not limited to any income groups such as those in the B40 or T20 groups.

"Those with lower incomes tend to go for cheaper and less nutritional food due to their limited financial resources, which has been made worse by the rising cost of living over the past few years.

"Whereas many with higher incomes are more career focused, which leaves them little time to cook at home and go for fast and less nutritional meal options, like fast food, to feed their families," he said during Ministers' Question Time in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 1).

He added that tackling the issue of stunted growth in children was among the ministry's top priorities due to its possible negative effects on the lives of the next generation.

"Children suffering from stunted growth are more at risk of developing non-communicable diseases like obesity which will affect their productivity capability as they reach adulthood that will in turn hurt the future productivity of the country," he added.

He was responding to questions from Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Kuala Selangor) and Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus) who inquired about the ministry's effort in tackling stunted growth among Malaysian kids.

On this, Lukanisman said his ministry would take a holistic approach to tackle the issue which includes further cooperation between the Health Ministry with other ministries and key stakeholders.

This will include further discussions within ministries through the Special Committee to Combat the Double Burden of Malnutrition Among Children that is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"We are looking into close cooperation with many local institutions, experts, associations and international bodies like the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) to address the issue before it gets worse.

"Together, we hope to develop comprehensive plans and activities that will increase the nutritional quality of food for kids and increase awarness among parents on this issue," he said.