Abstract
Introduction
Stunting is categorized under the undernourished which is indicated by shorter height for age of the WHO Child Growth Standards median. In Cambodia, stunting among under five children remains high, with 32.4% in 2014. Stunting is associated with delay psychomotor development, with long-lasting
harmful consequences, including diminished mental ability and learning capacity, poor school performance in childhood, reduced earnings and increased risks of chronic diseases. However, documentation related to adolescent stunting in Cambodia is very limited. This study aimed at identifying the prevalence of stunting and its associated factors among Cambodian adolescent students aged from 10 to 17 years.
Methods
Secondary data from a cross-sectional survey on nutritional status and dietary intakes of school aged children in Cambodia conducted by Foundational for International Development/Relief from 2014 to 2015 was used. There were 1526 samples of adolescent students aged from 10 to 17 years included in
the study. Multivariate logistic analysis was performed to identify independent associations between stunting and food security and protein intake.
Results
The prevalence of stunting among adolescent students were 35.9%. Stunting was significantly associated with inadequate protein intake which contributed from meat intake with Adj. OR = 1.5, (95% CI: 1.2-2.0, p<0.001). Also, stunting was pronounced among children from family who hold poor ID card (Adj. OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0-1.7, p<0.001), and family experience in food shortage in the previous twelve months (Adj OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.3-2.3, p<0.001). However, stunting was less commonly found among children living in urban area (Adj. OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.4-0.7, p<0.001).
Conclusion
Prevalence of stunting among Cambodian adolescent students, particularly aged 10 to 17 years was high in Cambodia. Inadequate protein intake and food security were strongly associated with stunting. Therefore, School health program should be promoted with addressing adequate protein intake into
the school education program to reduce the risk of stunting particularly in rural area.