Ecological basis of malnutrition among the Muruts of Sabah

A recent anthropometric study of Sabah reported that 37.1 percent of children were nutritional dwarfs, 12.5 percent were acutely malnourished and 9.4 percent were stunted and wasted. It was also noted that Muruts were among the top five most malnourished ethnic groups in Sabah. The present study looks at the ecological basis of malnutrition among Muruts and concludes that a variety of interrelated factors, including the lack of education, climatic and soil conditions, poverty, food habits and taboos as well as diseases from poor sanitation and malaria contribute to the presence of malnutrition among rural Muruts. It is recommended that a multidisciplinary approach be taken to control and prevent malnutrition among the Muruts and that the single most important measure aside from malaria control is education of the people and the development of marketable skills.