health

Malaysian Children Stunted?

By Alpro Pharmacy

January 22, 2024

According to surveys, the average height of Malaysians is shorter than that of both men and women in Asia. Surveys show that whether compared to our neighboring country Singapore; or to distant countries such as Japan or South Korea, Malaysians are shorter in height.

The impact of height on individuals

  • Career Opportunities

In some industries, such as sports or modeling, height can be a competitive advantage. Research also shows that taller people are more likely to enter higher-paying occupations, although other factors such as education and skills are also important.。

  • Self-esteem and confidence

Taller people are generally more likely to feel confident, while shorter people may have self-esteem issues, although this is influenced by cultural and social factors.

  • Social Interaction

 Taller people may have an easier time attracting attention and respect, while shorter people may experience being ignored or discriminated against.

  • Health Risks

Height is associated with certain health problems, such as being under-height is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease.

  • Mental Health

Short individuals may face body image issues and social pressure, while tall individuals may be affected by high expectations and social pressure.

Height indirectly reflects some factors related to the country's economic and social conditions.

  • Health and Medical Expenses

People in good health are more likely to participate in the work force, reduce work time lost due to health problems, and reduce health care expenditures, which may help the country lower health care costs.

    • Education level

Height is associated with better health and nutritional status in children and adolescents, which is often associated with better academic performance, potentially increasing educational attainment and making people more competitive in the labor market.

  • Social welfare expenditures

If the number of people requiring social welfare expenditures due to health problems increases, it may lead to an increase in government social security expenditures.

🤔 What causes stunted heights?

Heredity accounts for 20% of the causes of people’s short height, becoming the main problem causing people to become shorter and shorter. 

The remaining 80% includes nutrition, exercise, sleep, health issues and environmental factors. In terms of nutrition, children may be picky eaters or not get enough of certain key nutrients (such as protein or fat), which may affect their growth rate. 

Sleep is also important, because growth hormone is mainly secreted within an hour after deep sleep, and insufficient sleep will affect the growth of your child. Exercise can promote the secretion of growth hormone, and lack of exercise may lead to insufficient height. 

Certain diseases, especially those related to nutritional metabolism, may also affect a child’s height. Therefore, early treatment of these underlying health problems is critical to your child’s height development.

My Healthy Growth Journey @ Alpro Pharmacy

Alpro Pharmacy also offers the My Healthy Growth Journey Program, where you can bring your children to visit the nearest Alpro Pharmacy to measure their height and weight. Let’s work together to improve the health of the children in our country.

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