Micronutrient deficiencies are believed to be widespread in Malaysia

by HARIZAH KAMEL/ pic by TMR

HEALTHY alternative food can be used to tackle the micronutrient deficiency crisis in Malaysia.

Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) senior advisor Professor Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram said the government should develop an agricultural policy oriented towards promoting alternatives to rice.

“The country might need some subsidies to facilitate a transition to alternative food agriculture because we need to think beyond rice self-sufficiency.

“I think many farmers can produce more nutritious food and earn much more, but transitioning from rice-growing has to be facilitated and it’s not going to be easy,” he said during a panel discussion titled “Tackling Micronutrient Deficiency: Causes and Solutions”.

Micronutrients are nutrients needed in minuscule quantities — typically vitamins, minerals and trace elements ie all substances that enable the body to produce enzymes, hormones and other substances essential for normal growth and development.

Iodine, Vitamin A and iron are the most important as their absence from diets pose a major threat to the health and development of populations worldwide, particularly to children and pregnant women in vulnerable environments.

Micronutrient deficiencies are believed to be widespread in Malaysia, although nutrition studies have not been done frequently over the last two decades.

A Nutrition Society of Malaysia study of school children aged six to 17 years found that more than half the children met at least 80% of the values prescribed in the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) for Malaysians for Vitamins A and C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and iron. Only 30% of girls and 41% of boys achieved the recommended calcium intake.

Malaysia is a food secure country, but significant challenges remain in what Malaysians eat, which leads to problematic nutrition outcomes.

Iron-deficient anaemia in women of reproductive age, especially pregnant women, needs to be given attention by encouraging adequate micronutrient intake and temporary supplementation.

Approximately 4.9 million Malaysians are affected by anaemia with women aged 15-45 years old at 51%, followed by men between 15 and 59 years old at 23%

Universal school feeding is crucial to inculcate good eating habits in children, besides improving academic results and physical development.

The Education Ministry has announced the “Program Sarapan Percuma”, starting next year, to ensure children in schools get enough nutrition.

Jomo said an all-out government approach, not just from the education, health and agriculture ministries but also from the Consumer Affairs Ministry, as well as parental involvement, is also needed to make a big change.

“We can have the best school feeding programme, but if we allow junk food to be sold in the school canteen, that’s going to compromise everything.

“There is very little attention to nutrition. It is a feeding programme to fill people up and to make sure they have enough dietary energy,” he said.

Public nutrition education needs considerable improvement to educate both children and adults on healthy eating.