May

09

JCI-JSC-WP-2019-01: Stunting in Malaysia: Costs, Causes and Courses for Action

Childhood stunting has recently garnered public attention in Malaysia, but there remains a general lack of understanding surrounding the issue.
 
Policymakers and the general public have mostly focused on the immediate causes of stunting, particularly on inadequate dietary intake, but have not paid as much attention to the underlying determinants of stunting.
 
This paper seeks to contribute to the knowledge gap by: (i) highlighting the causes and effects of stunting; (ii) identifying statistical and historical trends on stunting in Malaysia; (iii) assessing Malaysia’s performance in the underlying determinants of stunting; and (iv) providing policy recommendations on addressing stunting among Malaysian children.

 

Stunting in Malaysia: Costs, Causes and Courses for Action