Assistant Professor Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan from the Nutritional Science Program at National Taiwan Normal University studies constipation issues among Asian children.
Her research is the first to calculate that the prevalence of constipation among Asian children is approximately 12%, significantly lower than the global average of 29%. However, the study reveals that the constipation prevalence among school-aged children in Taiwan is as high as 32.2%, meaning one in three children suffers from constipation. The findings were recently published in eClinical Medicine, a journal under the prestigious medical journal The Lancet.
Nguyen explained that constipation is a common health problem among both children and adults. Symptoms of functional constipation include hard stool, infrequent bowel movements, and incomplete defecation. She emphasized that most existing constipation studies focus on Western countries, especially cases among Western children. Given the significant differences in dietary habits between Asia and the West, the causes of constipation in Asian children may differ.
To address the lack of data on constipation among Asian children, Nguyen spent two years conducting a systematic analysis of over 3,000 academic papers from global databases, ultimately including 50 representative studies for data analysis. The research shows that the prevalence of constipation is only 6.9% in South Asian children and 14.1% in East Asia. However, Taiwan's figures are significantly higher than those of other Asian countries, with a constipation rate of 32.2% among school-aged children.
Nguyen pointed out a potential close relationship between constipation and mental health. For example, when young children experience poor mental health or face stress, the incidence of constipation significantly increases. She further hypothesized that constipation and psychological stress may be interrelated, influencing children's brain development and academic performance.
When Young Children Experience Poor Mental Health or Face Stress, the Incidence of Constipation Increases Significantly (Photo/Source: Heho Parenting)
She emphasized that the diagnosis and treatment of constipation in young children have traditionally relied on Western standards and medications, which may not be suitable for Asian children. Through this research, she hopes to establish better-suited diagnostic and treatment standards for constipation among Asian children, particularly in Taiwan.
