Page 35 - nhms2016 maternal and child findings

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National Health And Morbidity Survey 2016 : Maternal And Child Health (MCH) Volume II : Findings

5.2.2.2 Nutritional status by height for age

In terms of height-for-age, about 76.0% (95% CI: 74.55-77.48) of the children were in the normal
range (Height-for-age: > -2SD to ≤ +2SD). The national prevalence of stunting (height-for-age: < -
2SD) was 20.7% (95% CI: 19.34-22.12).

By age group, the highest prevalence of stunting was noted among those aged 24-35 months at
23.5% (95% CI: 19.45-28.16) and the lowest was among children aged 6-11 months, 15.5% (95% CI:
10.38-22.48). Among the various ethnicities of the child, those from ‘Other Ethnicities’ showed the
highest prevalence of stunting [29.5% (95% CI: 22.15-38.09)], followed by Other Bumiputeras [24.9%
(95% CI: 21.69-28.48)] (Table 5.2.2.3).

5.2.2.3 Nutritional status by weight for height

Overall prevalence of wasting among Malaysian children ≤59 months in this study was 11.5% [(95%
CI: 10.51-12.65)]. The prevalence of wasting was higher among males [13.3% (95% CI: 11.72-15.06)]
than females [9.7% (95% CI: 8.47-11.06)]. Based on age and ethnicity of the child, the highest wasting
prevalence was observed among children aged 48-59 months old and children of Indian ethnicity
with a prevalence of 13.6% (95% CI: 11.47-15.95) and 17.3% (95% CI: 11.78-24.74) respectively.

The majority of Malaysian children in this survey had a body weight within the normal range 82.5%
(95% CI: 81.04-83.79) while only 6.0% (95% CI: 5.09-7.07) were overweight. Prevalence of normal
and overweight were higher among females than males. The findings of this survey also showed that
children aged 48-59 months showed the highest prevalence of overweight [7.7% (95% CI: 6.06-9.63)]
and the lowest percentage of normal weight for height status [78.8% (95% CI: 75.96-81.37)] (Table
5.2.2.4).

5.2.2.4 Nutritional status by BMI for age

The findings of the survey showed that the national prevalence of wasting (BMI for age< -2SD) was
11.2% (95% CI: 10.21-12.27). Males showed a higher prevalence of wasting [12.9% (95% CI: 11.40-
14.60)] than females [9.4% (95% CI: 8.22-10.76)]. By age groups, the highest prevalence was noted
among children aged below 5 months [13.3% (95% CI: 9.76-17.86)] and the lowest was among
children aged 24-35 months [9.6% (95% CI: 7.17-12.83)]. By ethnicity of the child, Indians showed
the highest prevalence of wasting [15.7% (95% CI: 10.84-22.16)], followed by Malays [12.0% (95%
CI: 10.74-13.40)], and Chinese [10.2% (95% CI: 7.81-13.31)].

The overall national prevalence of overweight (BMI for age >+2SD) was 6.4% (95% CI: 5.40-7.49).
The prevalence was higher among females [6.7% (95% CI: 5.07-8.70)] than males [6.1% (95% CI:
5.07-7.26)]. By age groups, the highest prevalence was noted among children aged 24-35 months
[9.2% (95% CI: 5.62-14.82)] and the lowest was among children aged below 5 months [2.3% (95%
CI: 1.16-4.52)]. Among the various ethnic groups of the child, Chinese had the highest prevalence of
overweight [7.0% (95% CI: 3.67-12.93)], followed by Malays and Other Bumiputeras respectively;
6.4% (95% CI: 5.41-7.67) and 6.0% (95% CI: 4.31-8.29) (Table 5.2.2.5).

5.2.3. Conclusion

The prevalence of under nutrition that includes underweight, stunting and wasting among Malaysian
children under five was much higher than the prevalence of overweight that warranted urgent and
more extensive strategies to address these problems.