Factors influencing malnutrition among young children in a rural community of Sarawak
Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and factors influencing malnutrition among children aged five years and below in Serian District of Sarawak, a district where the majority of people are indigenous. Methods: Using a cross-sectional method, a total of 177 chil...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nutrition Society of Malaysia
2014
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/37637/1/Factors%20influencing%20malnutrition%20among%20young%20children%20in%20a%20rural%20community%20of%20Sarawak.pdf |
| _version_ | 1825949072423387136 |
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| author | Joseph, Eunice Melissa Cheah, Whye Lian Lee, Ping Yein |
| author_facet | Joseph, Eunice Melissa Cheah, Whye Lian Lee, Ping Yein |
| author_sort | Joseph, Eunice Melissa |
| collection | UPM |
| description | Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and factors influencing malnutrition among children aged five years and below in Serian District of Sarawak, a district where the majority of people are indigenous. Methods: Using a cross-sectional method, a total of 177 children were randomly selected and assessed, and their mothers or caregivers were interviewed. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire; anthropometric measurements were also taken. Data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting in children aged five years and below was 20.9%, 11.9% and 10.2% respectively. The results suggest that the significant factors contributing to underweight are birth weight, frequency of child visit to the clinic, and individual insecurity. Only age, when complementary diet was introduced, was found to be significantly associated with stunting. For wasting, individual insecurity, duration of family planning and met recommended protein intake per day were found to be significant factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in children 5 years and below in Serian District of Sarawak is high compared to state figures. The major contributing factors were found to be manifested at the individual and family level. There is a need for appropriate public health promotion and socioeconomic improvement interventions towards improving the nutritional status and health of children in Serian District. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T08:38:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm.eprints-37637 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T08:38:57Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | Nutrition Society of Malaysia |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | upm.eprints-376372015-12-16T08:59:49Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/37637/ Factors influencing malnutrition among young children in a rural community of Sarawak Joseph, Eunice Melissa Cheah, Whye Lian Lee, Ping Yein Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and factors influencing malnutrition among children aged five years and below in Serian District of Sarawak, a district where the majority of people are indigenous. Methods: Using a cross-sectional method, a total of 177 children were randomly selected and assessed, and their mothers or caregivers were interviewed. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire; anthropometric measurements were also taken. Data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting in children aged five years and below was 20.9%, 11.9% and 10.2% respectively. The results suggest that the significant factors contributing to underweight are birth weight, frequency of child visit to the clinic, and individual insecurity. Only age, when complementary diet was introduced, was found to be significantly associated with stunting. For wasting, individual insecurity, duration of family planning and met recommended protein intake per day were found to be significant factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in children 5 years and below in Serian District of Sarawak is high compared to state figures. The major contributing factors were found to be manifested at the individual and family level. There is a need for appropriate public health promotion and socioeconomic improvement interventions towards improving the nutritional status and health of children in Serian District. Nutrition Society of Malaysia 2014 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/37637/1/Factors%20influencing%20malnutrition%20among%20young%20children%20in%20a%20rural%20community%20of%20Sarawak.pdf Joseph, Eunice Melissa and Cheah, Whye Lian and Lee, Ping Yein (2014) Factors influencing malnutrition among young children in a rural community of Sarawak. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 20 (2). pp. 145-164. ISSN 1394-035X http://www.nutriweb.org.my/publications/mjn0020_2/2%20Cheah%20WL%20_437%28edSP%29%28RV%29145-164.php |
| spellingShingle | Joseph, Eunice Melissa Cheah, Whye Lian Lee, Ping Yein Factors influencing malnutrition among young children in a rural community of Sarawak |
| title | Factors influencing malnutrition among young children in a rural community of Sarawak |
| title_full | Factors influencing malnutrition among young children in a rural community of Sarawak |
| title_fullStr | Factors influencing malnutrition among young children in a rural community of Sarawak |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors influencing malnutrition among young children in a rural community of Sarawak |
| title_short | Factors influencing malnutrition among young children in a rural community of Sarawak |
| title_sort | factors influencing malnutrition among young children in a rural community of sarawak |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/37637/1/Factors%20influencing%20malnutrition%20among%20young%20children%20in%20a%20rural%20community%20of%20Sarawak.pdf |
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