Nutritional Status of Children of Various Orang Asli Communities in Peninsular Malaysia*

Authors

  • MOHD. SHAM KASIM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, msham@medic.upm.edu.my) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • ZULKIFLI ISMAIL (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • LAILANOR IBRAHIM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Abstract

An anthropometric study of 566 Orang Asli children aged 10years and less was conducted in 28 villages in 7 separate areas in Peninsular Malaysia. Using the National Council for Health Statistics (NQHS) reference as a standard, it was found that 56% of these children were underweight and 65.7% were stunted. Using the reference mid-upper arm circumference values of Wolanski, it was found that 41.8% had low mid-arm circumference. The data in each of the areas visited varied.ABSTRAKSuatu kajian anthropometrik yang melibatkan seramai 566 kanak-kanak Orang Asli yang berumur 10 tahun dan kurang telah dijalankan di 28 kampung di 7 kawasan yang berlainan di Semenanjung Malaysia. Dengan menggunakan statistik National Council for Health sebagai piawai, kajian mendapati bahawa 50% kanak-kanak itu kekurangan berat badan dan 65.7% terbantut. Menggunakan pula lilitan lengan yang telah ditentukan oleh Wolanski, didapati pula 41.8% mempunyai lilitan yang lebih kecil. Data untuk satu-satu kawasan yang dilawatinya berbeza-beza.

References

Burgess H.J.L. & Burgess A.P. 1969. The arm circumference as a public index of calorie malnutrition of early childhood. Journal of Trop Pediat 15 189-92.

Chong, Y.H. et al. 1984. State of community nutrition in poverty kampungs. Institute for Medical Research Malaysia Bulletin, No. 22.

Khor, G.L. 1985. A Study on the nutritional status of the Semai. Ph.D Thesis University Pertanian Malaysia.

United States Public Health Service, Health Resources Administration 1976 NCHS Growth Charts.

World Health Organisation. 1983. Methods of taking measurements. In Measuring

Change in Nutritional Status, 12-13.

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Published

1989-07-01

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 1 (1989): AKADEMIKA 35

Section

Articles

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