Why are Malaysian children still stunted?
A community program in Malaysia is addressing the issue of stunted growth among children caused by undernutrition. The initiative provides nutritional support, health monitoring, and parental education to combat developmental delays.
Why it matters
Childhood stunting is a significant public health concern that can lead to irreversible developmental issues if not addressed early.
Riza Halow (right) watches as her son’s height is measured at a community programme for children with growth concerns in Puchong, Selangor.
KUALA LUMPUR – Until health workers knocked on her door, Riza Halow thought her youngest son was simply small for his age.
The 16-month-old, who was born weighing 2.8kg, did not eat much and lagged behind other toddlers his age in growth.
As at June, he was 74cm tall, while other children his age are about 82cm tall.
Riza, who has six children, thought little of it, but doctors found that her son was among many Malaysian children whose growth had been stunted by undernutrition .
“Before this, we didn’t know about the problem,” she told The Straits Times at a community programme in Puchong, Selangor, that provides nutritional support and monitoring for children with growth concerns.
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