THE EFFECT OF NUTRITION ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF CHILDREN IN TIMOR LESTE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND IMMUNE RESPONSE

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition among children, particularly in developing countries such as Timor Leste, represents a major public health issue. The prevalence of malnutrition—including stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies—remains high and significantly affects the immune system of children. Impairment of the immune system due to malnutrition increases vulnerability to infections and diseases. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and immune responses among children in Timor Leste.  Methods:  This study employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to collect, evaluate, and analyze data from relevant studies examining the impact of nutritional status on the immune system of children. Data were gathered from major scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, using keywords related to nutrition, malnutrition, and immune response in children.  Results: The findings identified several factors influencing the immune system of children in Timor Leste, particularly deficiencies in micronutrients such as zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin D. Poor nutritional status was associated with a decrease in white blood cell counts and a weakened ability of the body to fight infections. Furthermore, studies revealed that micronutrient supplementation and exclusive breastfeeding could improve nutritional status and strengthen the immune system of malnourished children. Increasing dietary diversity was also found to have a positive impact on the immune health of children. Discussion: The results of this study indicate that poor nutritional status—especially micronutrient deficiencies—has a direct effect on the decline of immune function in children. Therefore, appropriate nutritional interventions, such as supplementation with zinc and vitamin A and the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, hold great potential to improve nutritional status and enhance immune resilience among children in Timor Leste. This study also emphasizes the need for more effective, evidence-based health policies to address malnutrition in developing countries.

 Keywords:  Nutritional Status, Stunting, Wasting, Micronutrients, Immune System, Nutritional Intervention, Immune Response