Nutritional Status of Orang Asli in Malaysia

Abstract

The national government policies and Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA) have to put more effort to improve the quality of life for Orang Asli communities. Over the years, under the government-sanctioned relocation programme, many Orang Asli groups were moved to a more developed and urban area. They were given proper facility, healthcare service to ensure the improvement of overall well-being. While undernutrition among the Orang Asli remains a major health issue, evidence has shown that overweight and obesity in this population are increasing. This observation might be attributed to an urbanised lifestyle that often leads to unhealthy dietary patterns, leading to an increased prevalence of obesity, chronic diseases, food insecurity and unhealthy diet intake. The nutritional transition should be capture for a better understanding of Orang Asli nutritional status. This review assessed the nutritional status and its related key factors among Orang Asli population in Malaysia.