Assessment of Food Security, Anthropometric and Cognitive Function among Orang Asli Children in Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Forest clearing for agriculture plantations and local community settlements may triggerfood insecurity, which causes poor development, predominantly in Orang Asli children. This cross-sectionalstudy was conducted to determine the relationships between food security and anthropometric and cognitivefunction among Orang Asli children in Temerloh, Pahang. Materials and methods: A total of one hundred andsixty-seven children (ages 7 to 11) from five selected Orang Asli villages (Kampung Sungai Enggang, KampungPenderas, Kampung Pasu, Kampung Lubok Wong, and Kampung Pian) were involved in this study. The foodsecurity 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 performancewas tested using Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (R-CPM). Results: A majority (91.6%) of therespondents reported some kind of food insecurity (12.6% household food insecure, 74.2% individual foodinsecure, 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 belowaverage (38.3%) and above average (15.6%), respectively. Height-for-age was significantly associated withcognitive function (p=0.008). Among sociodemographic factors, household size (p=0.007) and householdincome (p<0.05) were significantly associated with the food security index, whereas the educational statusof 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 Aslicommunity. Undernutrition remains a major health concern among respondents; however, no associationwas found between food security index and cognitive function.