Malnutrition: Undernutrition and Overweight in Malaysia

As a proud Malaysian, I do approve that this country is a food heaven. Many different types of cuisines from traditional Malay dishes to the Chinese, Indians and even western cuisines are available. Recently, the surge of Korean food cuisine has been in favor of many Malaysians as from what I can see, the increase of Korean restaurants such as K Fry, MyeongDong Topokki and Sopoong has been rapidly growing in almost every place in Malaysia. This shows that, instead of just satisfying the locals’ taste buds, foreigners visiting Malaysia will also not be troubled in choosing their food choice. Nevertheless, there are negative externalities because of these abundant resources of food and one of them is the issue of nutrition.

We boast having the best cuisine the world over. However, Malaysia faces the threat of a double burden: stunting, and obesity. This is usually caused by children not eating the right food or enough of the right foods. In Malaysia, 20.7 percent of children under five suffer from stunting and 11.5 percent from wasting, 12.7 percent of children (5–19-year-olds) are obese. On the other hand, Malaysia’s adult population regrettably also faces a malnutrition burden. Almost a quarter, or 24.9 percent, of women of reproductive age have anemia, and 11.4 percent of adult men have diabetes, compared to 10.7 percent of women. Meanwhile, 17.9 percent of women and 13 percent of men have obesity. (Global Nutrition Report, 2020).

Malnutrition refers to deficiencies or excesses in nutrient intake, imbalance of essential nutrients or impaired nutrient utilization. The double burden of malnutrition consists of both undernutrition and overweight and obesity, as well as diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Undernutrition manifests in four broad forms: wasting, stunting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies. 

The issue of malnutrition is in line with the second Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2) which is zero hunger. Particularly, it is associated with SDG Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.

As an anemic myself, I found that it is very important to consume a balanced, healthy budget. However, challenges or hindrance from surroundings makes it harder to combat this issue. For example, the cost of purchasing food that is healthier might be more costly than fast foods. This is clearly portrayed when university students especially prefer to eat instant noodles than a balanced meal which includes all the required nutrition in the food pyramid because of the budget constraint. Other than that, inadequate access to health services also contributes to the increase of malnutrition in Malaysia. Most of the time, people will go for a checkup whenever they feel there is something wrong with themselves. Therefore, they are unable to discover their health issues which may have been worsened because of the late discovery.

Some notable measures that have been taken are “Healthy School Canteen Guidelines” in 2011 by the Ministry of Education to ensure healthy diets in schools and free breakfast program for impoverished students in primary schools. Besides that, National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia III, 2016-2025 has also been established by the Ministry of Health. It is the nation’s blueprint to promote

optimal nutritional well-being of Malaysians through a series of strategies and activities. The plan underscores the importance of nutrition in enhancing population health and preventing diet related diseases.

“Based on a detailed analysis of the nutrition situation in the country, the NPANM III has been drafted to address the persistence of the double burden of malnutrition. While under-nutrition will continue to be addressed, emphasis is also accorded to the rising prevalence of obesity and the non-communicable diseases (NCDs).”

NATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON FOOD AND NUTRITION (NCCFN), MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA.

To conclude, malnutrition issue is not something that can be taken lightly. It is an alarming issue as in future, malnutrition will contribute to the increase health care costs, reduces productivity, and slows economic growth, which can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and ill-health. Ergo, it is crucial for all of us to practice a better diet for a better life, as an individual, as well as a community.