Sains Malaysiana 32: 131-146 (2003)                                                                                           Sains Hayat /

 Life Science 

 

Nutritional Status of School Children Receiving

Supplementary Feeding Program in Peninsular Malaysia

 

 

Mohd Shahril Md Arop

Department of Nutrition and Helath Sciences

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Universiti Putra Malaysia

43400 UPM Serdang

Selangor D.E. Malaysia

 

Suriah Abdul Rahman, Aminah Abdullah

Program of Food Science

Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

43600 UKM Bangi

Selangor D.E. Malaysia

 

Mohd Fauzi Jani

Department of Agricultural Economics and Natural Resources

Faculty of Economics

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

43600 UKM Bangi

Selangor D.E. Malaysia

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

A total of 2541 school children comprising of 1265 students who were given the School Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) and 1276 who were not given SFP (non-SFP) aged between 7-12 years, from Central and Southern regions of Peninsular Malaysia were involved in the study. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height and triceps skinfold) and their 24-hour dietary record were assessed. Results showed that SFP subjects had a lower mean body weight (26.9 ± 7.7 kg), height (130.7 ± 10.0 em) and triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness (9.8 ± 3.8 mm) than non-SFP subjects with mean body weight29.3 ± 9.2 kg, height 132.9 ± 10.4 cm and TSF thickness 10.8 ± 4.6 mm. Chinese subjects had the highest mean body weight (28.7 ± 7.9 kg), height (132.9 ± 10.3 em) and TSF thickness (l0.3 ± 3.7 mm) amongst the SFP subjects, as well as amongst non-SFP subjects with mean body weight 31.1 ± 9.3 kg, height 135.4 ± 10.3 em and TSF thickness 11.5 ±4.9 mm. This study also showed the persistence of underweight, stunting and wasting amongst these primary school children. The prevalence of underweight amongst SFP and non-SFP subjects were 14.6% and 10.0% respectively. The prevalence of stunting was 12.6% for SFP and 7.4% for non-SFP, while wasting was found in 11.1% for SFP and 9.5% for non-SFP. The prevalence of overweight amongst SFP and non-SFP subjects were 1.3% and 4.5% respectively. Overall, only intake of protein, vitamin A and vitamin C met the RDI in all subjects for both SFP and non-SFP. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that there is a need for the Food Supplementation Program to be continuously implemented in primary schools to ensure that they will get enough food to sustain their energy.

  

 

 

ABSTRAK

 

Seramai 2541 kanak-kanak sekolah rendah berumur 7-12 tahun yang terdiri daripada 1265 kanak-kanak yang menerima makanan tambahan (RMT) dan 1276 tidak menerima makanan tambahan (TRMT) daripada kawasan tengah dan selatan Semenanjung Malaysia telah dipilih untuk pengukuran antropometrik dan penilaian diet 24 jam. Hasil kajian menunjukkan subjek RMT mempunyai purata berat badan (26.9±7.7 kg) ketinggian (130.7 ± 10.0cm) dan lipatan kulit triseps (TSF) thickness (9.8 ± 3.8 mm) yang rendah berbanding dengan subjek TRMT (berat badan 29.3 ± 9.2 kg, ketinggian 132.9± 10.4 cm dan lipatan kulit trisep 10.8±4.6 mm). Subjek Cina mempunyai nilai min berat badan (28.7 ± 7.9 kg), ketinggian (132.9 ± 10.3 cm) and TSF (10.3 ± 3.7 mm) yang tertinggi dikalangan RMT serta TRMT. Kajian ini juga menunjukkan berlakunya kekurangan berat badan (RMT 14.6% dan TRMT 10%), kerencatan (RMT 12.6% dan TRMT 7.4%), kesusutan (RMT 11.1% dan TRMT 9.5%) dan kelebihan berat badan (RMT 1.3% dan TRMT 4.5%) dikalangan kanak-kanak sekolah rendah. Secara keseluruhan, hanya pengambilan protein, vitamin A dan vitamin C memenuhi RDI bagi semua subjek RMT dan TRMT. Berdasar kepada kajian ini, Program Rancangan Makanan Tambahan ini perlu diteruskan di sekolah rendah bagi memastikan kanak-kanak ini memperolehi cukup makanan bagi mendapat tenaga.

 

 

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