Unraveling the mechanisms of stunting in Malaysian children: a metagenomics and metabolomics approach / Mohd Nur Fakhruzzaman Noorizhab

Stunting, a significant public health concern, affects one in every five children in Malaysia [1]. This prevalence is higher than in some conflictridden and underdeveloped countries, such as Palestine and certain African nations [1]. Despite Malaysia’s relative prosperity, which ensures better access to nutrition and healthcare, the rates of stunting are alarmingly high [1]. Stunting is characterised by impaired growth and development resulting from chronic malnutrition, and it poses severe health risks, including increased mortality and morbidity [2]. Children who are stunted are more likely to experience long-term cognitive and motor skill deficits, leading to poorer educational outcomes and reduced economic productivity in adulthood [3]. Additionally, stunted children are at a higher risk of developing obesity and related health issues as adults [4,5]. This condition perpetuates a cycle of poor health across generations, as stunted girls often grow into stunted women, who may then give birth to another generation of stunted children. The urgency to address stunting in Malaysia is underscored by the need to understand the specific mechanisms behind it, particularly the roles played by gut microbiota and metabolic processes.