Gender and age differences in the relationship between calorie, macronutrients intake and growth status of school-aged Aboriginal children at Labu, Negeri Sembilan

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to determine the relationship between calorie and macronutrients intake and the growth status of Aboriginal children based on gender and age group.Design/methodology/approachThis was a cross-sectional study participated by 85 school-aged Aboriginal children at Labu, Negeri Sembilan. The dietary intake and socioeconomic status data were collected from the parents using an interviewer administrated structured-questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall. WHO AnthroPlus software was used to determine the z-score of weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ) and body mass index (BMI) for age (BAZ).FindingsThe mean fat intake was significantly higher among younger children (i.e. 7–9 years old) as compared to elder children (i.e. 10–12 years old) (40.7 ± 17.3 g vs 32.0 ± 13.8 g; t = 2.496, p = 0.015) but not for the mean intake of calorie (1816.1 ± 979.9 kcal vs 1566.3 ± 808.7 kcal; t = 1.248, p = 0.216), protein (50.13 ± 20.08 g vs 44.94 ± 16.45 g; t = 1.269, p = 0.208) and carbohydrates (198.0 ± 63.0 g vs 190.8 ± 66.1 g; t = 0.513, p = 0.609). The majority of the respondents did not meet recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for the calorie (65.9%) and fat (75.3%). A significantly higher proportion of elder children did not meet RNI for fat as compared to younger children (88.8% vs 65.3%; X2 = 6.21, p = 0.021). The HAZ showed that 28.2% (n = 24) of the Aboriginal children were stunted, while WAZ showed that 14.8% (n = 9) of the Aboriginal students were underweight, and 8.2% of them were overweight. Based on BAZ classification, 15.4% (n = 6) of boys and 2.2% (n = 1) of girls were overweight. There is no significant correlation between calories and macronutrients and growth status of the children.Originality/valueAlthough the under-nutrition status among Aboriginal children is still a highlighted issue, the few over-nutrition statuses among Aborigines should be taken into count, especially in term of energy and macronutrient intake.

Association between Dietary Diversity and Weight Status of Aboriginal Primary School Children in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

“…Elder children in this study may have a lesser screen time and engage in physical activities such as cycling more often due to limited access to gadgets and other technological appliances. In addition, Kuralneethi et al ( 31 ) reported a similar finding which highlighted that there were no significant differences between BAZ with age and gender of aborigine children in that study. Moreover, the authors also stated that the insignificant differences between both genders were evident as the dietary intakes between both genders were similar.…”

Association between dietary quality and growth of the aboriginal primary school children in Negeri Sembilan

“…The adequacy of macronutrients and micronutrients indicated an important key in dietary quality, especially among school-aged children who undergo rapid physical growth (Karim and Razak, 2019;Kuralneethi et al, 2020;Shan et al, 2018). The dietary energy and carbohydrates intake were low among the aboriginal than recommended intake, which could be due to poor cereals and grains food group intake by the aboriginal children (Cordelia et al, 2019).…”

“…However, to date, no study been published on the diet quality of aboriginal school children in Malaysia. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, most of the growth status and nutrient intake studies (Chua et al, 2012;Cordelia et al, 2019;Murtaza et al, 2018Murtaza et al, , 2019 in Malaysia were conducted only among preschool-age or younger aboriginal children than school-aged children (Kuralneethi et al, 2020). Thus, the present study was carried out to determine the dietary quality of aboriginal school children and its association with their growth status.…”

“…A very recent study in Negeri Sembilan among aboriginal school children revealed that 28.2, 14.8 and 8.2% of aboriginal children were stunted, underweight and overweight, respectively (Kuralneethi et al, 2020). Kuralneethi et al (2020) also reported that a higher proportion of boys were overweight (15.4%) compared to the girls (2.2%) among aboriginal children.…”

“…Moreover, a study in 2019 showed that the prevalence of stunting was ranged from 28.2 to 35.6% (Cordelia et al, 2019;Murtaza et al, 2018), and the prevalence of underweight was 28.2% (Murtaza et al, 2019). A very recent study in Negeri Sembilan among aboriginal school children revealed that 28.2, 14.8 and 8.2% of aboriginal children were stunted, underweight and overweight, respectively (Kuralneethi et al, 2020). Kuralneethi et al (2020) also reported that a higher proportion of boys were overweight (15.4%) compared to the girls (2.2%) among aboriginal children.…”