Resolving nutrient deficiencies among children and adolescents of the B40 community in selected schools around Gombak, Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia's rapid urbanization has led to a significant increase in urban poverty, particularly affecting the B40 community, with approximately 56% residing in urban areas. Children and adolescents from low-income households within the B40 community are especially vulnerable to the detrimental effects of undernutrition and illness. Despite their vulnerability, this demographic has been relatively understudied in terms of cognitive performance and health status, as they are often perceived as less susceptible to malnutrition or poor health. Consequently, this study aims to address this gap by conducting primary data collection and implementing a pilot food intervention program targeting children and adolescents from the B40 community in selected schools across Selangor, Malaysia. The primary objective is to examine the relationship between nutrition intake and the health and cognitive performance of children and adolescents within the B40 community through comprehensive data cataloguing. Additionally, the study evaluates the efficacy of a health bar intervention in improving both health and cognitive performances among participants. The first phase of the study involved the development of several health bar formulations, assessing their nutritional composition. The health bar with the most optimal nutrient content was selected for mass production and used in the pilot intervention study. Participants aged between 13 to 16 years were recruited from two boarding schools in Selangor, and the intervention was conducted over a two-month period, during which participants' health and cognitive performance were assessed. Results indicated that the health bars exhibited favourable nutritional attributes, containing 1.38 g to 3.47 g of fibre, 5742.31 mg to 6797.84 mg linoleic acid, 1166 mg to 1152 mg magnesium, and 0.43 mg to 0.80 mg vitamin E. Moreover, the study identified several factors influencing cognitive performance and health status among children and adolescents from B40 households, including their environment, parental support, and internal motivation. Statistical analyses such as one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in dimensions of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0) and Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) scores between participants who underwent the health bar intervention. These findings underscore the positive impact of the health bar intervention on both health and cognitive performances. Overall, the study has important implications for health and education officials and policymakers in addressing the rising incidence of health and nutrition-related issues among children and adolescents from the B40 community. By targeting the root causes of these problems and implementing targeted interventions, policymakers can better support the critical needs of urban poverty-stricken populations, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1: No Poverty and 3: Good Health and Well-being.