Nutritional status of 1 – 3–year–old children and maternal care behaviours in the Orang Asli of Malaysia

Shashikala, S; Kandiah, Mirnalini; Shariff, Zalilah Mohd; Khor, Geok Lin

doi:10.1080/16070658.2005.11734061

Cited by 9 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…However, little success has been achieved when OA are compared to other ethnic groups in Malaysia. Namely, the OA still face poverty as well as poor nutritional and health status, particularly where young children are concerned [6–8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sociodemographic, nutritional, and environmental factors are associated with cognitive performance among Orang Asli children in Malaysia

et al. 2019

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Children aged 2 to 6 years are in a crucial period of growth development, during which it is important for them to attain specific cognition related to concentration and attention so that they can perform well in school later in life. Various factors influence children’s cognition during this crucial period. However, to date, only a limited number of studies have examined the cognitive performance of underprivileged children living in poverty, particularly indigenous children (also known as Orang Asli children in Malaysia). Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the associations between sociodemographic factors, nutritional factors (body composition and hemoglobin), and environmental factors (home environment and parasitic infections) with cognitive performance among Orang Asli children in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The participants were 269 children (51% boys, 49% girls) aged 2 to 6 years ( M = 4.0, SD = 1.2 years) and their mothers, from 14 Orang Asli villages. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the mothers, and the children’s cognitive performance, operationalized as working memory index (WMI), processing speed index (PSI), and cognitive proficiency index (CPI), was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV). The children’s weight and height were measured, and their blood and stool samples were collected to assess hemoglobin level and parasitic infections, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the father’s years of education ( β = 0.262–0.342, p < 0.05), availability of learning materials at home ( β = 0.263–0.425, p < 0.05), and responsiveness of the parent to the child ( β = 0.192–0.331, p < 0.05) were consistently associated with all three cognitive indices (WMI, PSI, and CPI). A holistic approach involving parents, communities, and government agencies should be established to improve the cognitive performance of these underprivileged children.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sociodemographic, nutritional, and environmental factors are associated with cognitive performance among Orang Asli children in Malaysia

et al. 2019

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“…The indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia ( Orang Asli ) are also experiencing a high rate of obesity, hypertension and diabetes even though they contribute to 0.7 % of the total population in Peninsular Malaysia [ 21 ]. Several studies showed that approximately 10–35 % of Orang Asli adults in Peninsular Malaysia were overweight and obese, yet more than half of the children were underweight and stunted [ 22 – 25 ]. In an earlier study, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (1.3 %) and impaired glucose tolerance (10.7 %) was significantly higher among Orang Asli living in rural area than those living in the remote forest (0.0 % and 3.3 % respectively) [ 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While undernutrition still prevails in Orang Asli children [ 22 , 25 ], obesity and metabolic risks are increasingly prevalent among the Orang Asli adults. This study aimed to assess the presence of double-burden of malnutrition at the community and household levels by assessing the nutritional status of Orang Asli adults and children.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Double-burden of malnutrition among the indigenous peoples (Orang Asli) of Peninsular Malaysia

et al. 2015

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BackgroundDouble-burden of malnutrition (DBM) is an emerging public health concern among the Orang Asli (indigenous peoples) of Peninsular Malaysia. This study aimed to identify the presence of DBM at the community and household levels in Orang Asli population and its associated demographic and socio-economic factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 Orang Asli villages surrounding the Krau Wildlife Reserve, Peninsular of Malaysia from October 2011 to January 2012. Of 438 households, a total of 981 adults and 304 children who met the study criteria agreed to participate. About 160 households were further selected with pairs of children aged 3–59 months and non-pregnant mothers aged 15–55 years. Demographic and socio-economic data were obtained using interviewer-administered questionnaire while weight and height were measured using standard procedures. Double-burden of malnutrition was defined as overweight/obese mother-underweight child (OWOBM/UWC), overweight/obese mother-stunted child (OWOBM/STC) or overweight/obese mother-underweight or/and stunted child (OWOBM/UWSTC). Binary logistic regression identified the demographic and socio-economic factors associated with double-burden households.ResultsAbout 26 % of overweight and obese adults coexisting with high proportions of underweight (49 %) and stunted (64 %) children in these Orang Asli villages. There was a higher prevalence of households with OWOBM/UWSTC (20 %) and OWOBM/STC (19.4 %) than households with OWOBM/UWC (12.5 %). Boys (P < 0.05), older age mothers (P < 0.05), mothers with higher education (P < 0.05) and households with income per capita less than USD 29.01 (RM 97.00) (P < 0.01) were associated with higher odds of OWOBM/STC. Jah Hut (P < 0.05) and higher number of children (P < 0.05) were significantly associated with lower odds of OWOBM/UWC.ConclusionsThe occurrence of double-burden of malnutrition in Orang Asli population deserves attention. Poverty reduction, access to quality diet and improved health and nutrition literacy are among strategies that could address the coexistence of DBM in this population.

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“…Childhood undernutrition is a persistent health problem in the Orang Asli population that has been documented over the decades at levels that are much higher than those reported in other rural or poor communities in Malaysia. Studies reported that child undernutrition remains relatively high (43-86%) with stunting being more prevalent than underweight [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. Anaemia indicative of iron deficiency and helminthic infestation is also an age-old nutritional problem affecting the Orang Asli [5].…”

Section: Studies On Orang Asli Health Food and Nutrition Securitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Do not neglect the indigenous peoples when reporting health and nutrition issues of the socio-economically disadvantaged populations in Malaysia

Khor¹,

Shariff²

2019

BMC Public Health

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The purpose of this correspondence is to express our disappointment with the coverage of the BMC Public Health supplement: Vol 19 (4) titled "Health and Nutritional Issues Among Low Income Population in Malaysia", which neglected to include the fundamental health and nutrition issues that are adversely affecting the lives and livelihood of the indigenous peoples. The Supplement comprised 21 papers. Two of these papers included indigenous peoples as study subjects. These two papers addressed peripheral, albeit important health issues, namely visual impairment and quality of life, and not the persistent and rising health concerns impacting this population. We will provide evidence from research and reports to justify our critique that the Supplement missed the opportunity to spotlight on the serious extent of the health and nutritional deprivations of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia. As researchers of the indigenous peoples, we ought to lend our voice to the "silenced minority" by highlighting their plight in the media including scientific journals.

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Nutritional status of 1 – 3–year–old children and maternal care behaviours in the Orang Asli of Malaysia

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Sociodemographic, nutritional, and environmental factors are associated with cognitive performance among Orang Asli children in Malaysia

Sociodemographic, nutritional, and environmental factors are associated with cognitive performance among Orang Asli children in Malaysia

Double-burden of malnutrition among the indigenous peoples (Orang Asli) of Peninsular Malaysia

Do not neglect the indigenous peoples when reporting health and nutrition issues of the socio-economically disadvantaged populations in Malaysia

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