RECENT reports about stunting being on the rise again in Malaysia have reignited concern – and rightly so. Stunting is not simply about a child being shorter than expected; it is a sign of chronic undernutrition that can permanently affect physical growth, brain development, learning ability, immunity and long-term health.
What makes the issue even more worrying is that Malaysia is not a low-income country. Yet, around one in five Malaysian children today are stunted. In some rural and underserved areas, the situation is far worse.
But while the headlines sound bleak, there is also evidence that stunting can be reduced even without massive budgets or sweeping new policies.
In rural Sabah, a small-scale study in 2025 revealed that stunting among children under five dropped from 40.6% in 2022 to 29.3% in 2025. Among children aged 12 and below, it fell from 29.9% to 23.8%.
The improvement was not driven by major new infrastructure or top-down interventions. Instead, it was made possible through the steady efforts of community volunteers working closely with local health clinics and supported by World Vision Malaysia.
The solutions to malnutrition already exist within communities. What is needed is support, coordination and the right tools to turn awareness into action.
Malaysia is facing the double burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition and obesity exist side by side, sometimes even in the same household. Across communities, children may be stunted, underweight or overweight. This is driven by poor diet, rising food prices and unhealthy food environments. A child may look well fed but still be malnourished.
When large numbers of children are affected, the impact is felt not only in families but also in the country’s human capital and economic resilience.
Malaysia has introduced important measures to address child malnutrition, but recent trends suggest that policies alone are not enough to prevent the problem from worsening.
Parents and caregivers need practical guidance, children need healthier environments, and communities need consistent support – not one-off campaigns. This is where community-led approaches can make a real difference.
In Sabah, voluntary community health workers played a key role. These individuals are trusted by families, understand local culture and can reach households that formal systems may not consistently reach.
They helped families understand basic but essential practices, such as how to prepare balanced meals using affordable local ingredients, proper feeding for young children, hygiene practices to reduce infections that worsen malnutrition, and growth monitoring and early identification of warning signs.
Most importantly, they maintained consistent engagement with families over time, building trust and encouraging sustainable habits.
Global evidence also shows that community health workers, whether paid or volunteers, are among the most cost-effective resources in improving child health and nutrition. But for them to succeed, they must be properly supported.
Many community health workers are unpaid or lightly supported and often balance family responsibilities and livelihoods while trying to serve their communities. Without proper incentives and recognition, sustaining this work is difficult.
Moreover, even the most committed volunteer cannot educate families into healthier diets if nutritious food remains unaffordable or unavailable. Community-based efforts must therefore be supported by healthier food environments, especially around schools.
If school canteens and nearby shops are dominated by sugary drinks and cheap processed snacks, children will continue to eat what is readily accessible.
The Sabah experience shows that with consistent support, local health workers can help families improve child nutrition and reduce stunting.
GLORY VIAPUDE
Manager
Programmes Quality and Impact
World Vision Malaysia
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