10.9 per cent of children screened in Kelantan found to have stunted growth, says Health Department

KOTA BHARU – An estimated 10.9 per cent of children in Kelantan are affected by stunted growth, with Orang Asli communities among the groups requiring particular attention, according to the Kelantan Health Department.

Its director Dr Kasuadi Hussin said the findings were based on screenings involving 2,688 children at 12 supermarkets across 10 districts in the state between Aug 15 and Sept 15.

He said stunting required serious attention as it affected not only a child’s physical growth but could also have long-term consequences for brain development, learning ability and overall health.

Kasuadi explained that stunted growth was commonly associated with prolonged inadequate or unbalanced nutrition, as well as families’ socioeconomic circumstances.

“Stunting is not caused solely by heredity. In most cases, it is more closely linked to nutrition, although genetic factors can also play a role.

“Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition over a prolonged period can affect a child’s growth,” he told a press conference on Sunday.

He was speaking after officiating at the 2026 Kelantan-level Healthy Malaysia Carnival and Children’s Health Day celebration.

Kasuadi added that the problem could also be linked to low-income families facing difficulties in providing nutritious food for their children.

He said the Orang Asli community was among the groups that warranted attention, although a specific stunting rate for the community could not be confirmed without a more detailed study.

In a related development, the screening also found that 769 children, or 28.6 per cent of those examined, had identified health issues.

“Besides stunting, 9.8 per cent were underweight and 4.9 per cent experienced wasting, while 9.6 per cent were found not to have received exclusive breastfeeding.

“Only 0.3 per cent of the children screened were found to have incomplete immunisation,” he said.