Nutritional Status of Children of Various Orang Asli Communities in Peninsular 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.

ABSTRAK

Suatu 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.