Prevalence and factors associated with coexisting forms of malnutrition among Malaysian children in the SEANUTS II Study.

Coexisting forms of malnutrition (CFM), defined as multiple forms of malnutrition within the same child (individual-level), pose a greater risk to children than individual forms of malnutrition. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with individual-level CFM among children aged 0.5-12.9 years in Peninsular Malaysia. Between May 2019 and March 2020, a total of 2989 children were recruited for the SEANUTS II Malaysia study; after excluding 16 with implausible anthropometric data, 2973 were analysed. CFM prevalence was 6.8%, with the coexistence of underweight and stunting most common (5.2%). Associated factors included younger age (0.5 to 4.9 years; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.58; 95% CI 1.01-2.48), low birth weight (< 2.5 kg; aOR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.25-3.59), Malay ethnicity (aOR = 2.58; 95% CI 1.47-4.50) and maternal height < 150 cm (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI 1.29-4.10). CFM affects approximately one in 15 children in Peninsular Malaysia and is associated with several childhood and maternal factors. As the impact of CFM on affected children is more severe than that of standalone malnutrition, interventions and policies should focus on improving child and maternal nutrition to effectively mitigate this problem in the region.