Nutritional status of the under-5 children of the settlers of FELDA (Federal Land Development Authority) scheme in Malaysia

Abstract

A cross sectional survey was conducted in a village, Trolak Utara under FELDA (Federal
Land Development Authority) scheme in Perak state, Malaysia. Nutritional status of the
children in comparison with socio - economic development of the settlers was studied. As the
community was homogeneous, simple random sampling technique was adopted for this
survey. Nutritional status was determined anthropometrically and biochemically
Anthropometric measurement was compared with that of NCHS standard. Prevalence of
malnutrition in terms of stunting was 34.4% whereas the prevalence of wasdng was 9.6%.
Most of the malnourished children belonged to the age group of 3-4 years Amongst them 43%
were underweight, 41% wasted and 30% were stunted. Near about half of the children
(45.2%) were enemic. The high prevalence of anemia was attributed to low intake of iron
(p<05). Mean protein intake of the children was more than the requirement (160% RDA). The
mean intake of energy and iron was 83.8% and 78.5% of the RDA. Remarkable number of
children (46.61%) had worm infestation. Most of the settlers (70.8%) earned M$ 1001 - 1500
per month and 21.7% of the settlers earned M$ 501 - 1000 per month. Three fourth of the
settlers (75.81%) completed primary school level of education. Secondary school level was
completed by equal about number of settlers (16%) and their spouses (15.8%). On the
otherhand, 7.5% of the setders never attended school.