A cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and some associated factors among primary one schoolchildren, aged 7 years from rural areas of Tumpat and Bachok in Kelantan was carried out. A total of 922 chiMren from 18 primary schools were examined. The parents completed self-administered questionnaires eliciting demographic and socio-economic information. The weight and height of each child was taken. The nutritional status was assessed by the z-scores of weight-for-age (WAZ) , height- or-age (HAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ). The prevalence of underweight was 25 .2% , stunting was 21 .1% and wasting was 6 .2%. Less than 1 .0% ofthe children were overweight. Risk factors of underweight were lueinga male (OR=l .4),
having an unemployed father (OR=2 .6) and a monthly family income of RM 251 -500 (OR=2 .0) . Being a male (OR=1 .6) was the only risk factor for stunning and working mother (OR=2 .0) was the only risk factor of wasting. In conclusion, there is still a high prevalence of undemutrition among primary one schoolchildren in rural areas of Tumpat and Bachok. This may be due to the poor socioeconomic status of the rural community and the lack of emphasis ofthe supplementary feeding program on the late preschool children. A comprehensive nutrition support program is essential, especially targeting the preschool children in these rural communities