By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Dec 23 — The Selangor Child Nutrition Programme (Asas) Carnival, first implemented in 2021, aims to increase awareness among parents and children about the importance of healthy and balanced dietary habits.
State executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said Asas has carried out several programmes to that effect, including assistance in the form of nutrition packs for low-income and needy groups.
"To date, it is estimated over 9,000 families and 2,800 children have received the Asas nutrition packs, with monitoring carried out by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
"Other steps taken include health screenings for children, dietary consultations, healthy cooking demonstrations by nutritionists, competitions centred on healthy living, and health exhibitions," she said in a statement today.
The District Education Departments, state assemblymen, and local leaders have also cooperated to ensure Asas' success. As such, Jamaliah said the state government hopes local communities, particularly parents, can cooperate by actively taking part.
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Parents and their children at the Selangor Child Nutrition Programme (Asas) Carnival, held at SK (1) Jalan Batu Tiga in Klang, on October 14, 2023. — Picture by SHEEDA FATHIL/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
"Nutrition among children is a national agenda, in which the triple burden of malnutrition, encompassing stunting and wasting, micronutrient deficiencies, and weight problems or obesity, are a growing concern.
"The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022 findings indicate a six per cent prevalence among children when it comes to excess body weight, with a 1:5 ratio of children experiencing stunting and a 1:10 ratio of children experiencing wasting," she said.
This prevalence is much higher among urban children compared to their rural counterparts. Even more worrying is that over 80.3 per cent of parents are unaware their children experience excess body weight problems, and 74.4 per cent of parents are unaware their children experience wasting problems.
"Aware of this issue, the state government, via the Public Health Permanent Committee, implemented Asas two years ago, with IIUM as the implementing agency. This year, Asas' scope was expanded to become a Carnival, which has been implemented in nine districts so far.
"It is important for parents to actively involve themselves in matters pertaining to their children's nutrition since they are the layer between the development and prosperity of both Selangor and Malaysia," said Jamaliah.
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Bandar Baru Klang state assemblyman Dr Quah Perng Fei (second from left), state executive councillor for health Jamaliah Jamaluddin (centre), and Selangor public health advisor Dr Mohammad Farhan Rusli (second from right) during the Selangor Child Nutrition Programme (Asas) Carnival at SK (1) Jalan Batu Tiga in Klang, on October 14, 2023. — Picture by SHEEDA FATHIL/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
