Assessment of Food Security, Anthropometric and Cognitive Function among Orang Asli Children in Pahang, Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/imjm.v19i3.1669Abstract
Introduction: Forest clearing for agriculture plantations and local community settlements may trigger
food insecurity, which causes poor development, predominantly in Orang Asli children. This cross-sectional
study was conducted to determine the relationships between food security and anthropometric and cognitive
function among Orang Asli children in Temerloh, Pahang. Materials and methods: A total of one hundred and
sixty-seven children (ages 7 to 11) from five selected Orang Asli villages (Kampung Sungai Enggang, Kampung
Penderas, Kampung Pasu, Kampung Lubok Wong, and Kampung Pian) were involved in this study. The food
security index was assessed using the Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity Instrument.
Anthropometric indices were based on height-for-age and BMI-for-age Z-scores, while cognitive performance
was tested using Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (R-CPM). Results: A majority (91.6%) of the
respondents reported some kind of food insecurity (12.6% household food insecure, 74.2% individual food
insecure, and 4.8% child hunger). Rates of stunting, thinness, and overweight/obesity were 25.8%, 16.2%,
and 18.0%, respectively. A majority (46.1%) of the children had average cognitive scores, followed by below
average (38.3%) and above average (15.6%), respectively. Height-for-age was significantly associated with
cognitive function (p=0.008). Among sociodemographic factors, household size (p=0.007) and household
income (p<0.05) were significantly associated with the food security index, whereas the educational status
of the child was significantly associated with height-for-age (p=0.013) and cognitive function (p=0.003).
Conclusion: Food insecurity remains a risk factor for child development impairment in the Orang Asli
community. Undernutrition remains a major health concern among respondents; however, no association
was found between food security index and cognitive function.
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