Stunting is still one of the problems that prevent Indonesian children from growing and developing optimally. In 2021, it is estimated that three out of ten Indonesian children are stunted. This number has decreased from previous years, but the problem of stunting in Indonesian children is still a serious health problem that must be resolved.
To solve the stunting problem, the government has set the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and Presidential Regulation No. 72 concerning the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction with a target of reducing it to 14% by 2024.
To support the government in accelerating the reduction of stunting in Indonesia, the Center for Human Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University (PKGM, FK-KMK, UGM) supported by Danone Specialized Nutrition (SN) Indonesia launched 4 series of Prevent Stunting Books (27/07).
In these four books, there are educational materials about the importance of the role of family and community in food recipes that are appropriate to the child’s growth phase.
“The Prevent Stunting Book Series consists of 4 series, namely Introduction to Families and Communities; Nutrition for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers; Local Menu for Children Age 6-11 Months; and Local Menus for Children 1-5 Years Old,” explained Dr. Siti Helmyati, DCN., M.Kes., Head of the Center for Human Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University (PKGM, FK- KMK, UGM).
“These four book series are also easy to understand, which not only provide an understanding of stunting and its impact on children’s future health but also contain the important role of nutrition and a healthy and balanced diet menu with recipes based on local food for children in the 1000HPK period. This book is also equipped with interactive sheets that are two-way so that it will be easier for readers to absorb and understand,” he continued.
To be clear, here Thevolume.net has summarized information related to tips on preventing stunting in children from the time they are in the womb based on the contents of the books above. Listen and prevent stunting in Moms’ children from now on!
Introduction to stunting for Indonesian families
The book series on preventing stunting 1 is entitled “Introduction to Families and Communities”. In this book, parents will get information related to stunting. Starting from an explanation related to the understanding, causes, and dangers of stunting to how to overcome it.
To find out more about stunting, Mom can read the entire book “Introduction to Families and Communities”.
Prevent stunting during pregnancy and lactation
The period of pregnancy and breastfeeding is included in the period of 1000 HPK (first liver of life) of children. At this time, there is the development of very important organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, etc. If you don’t eat enough nutritious food, you will have a greater risk of giving birth to a baby with health problems.
Then, when the baby is born, breast milk is the best food for the baby. The Ministry of Health recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed (breast milk only without other food or drink) until the baby is 6 months old.
This indicates that the mother’s food intake is very influential in the growth and development of the baby. Because the source of nutrition and nutrition is only breast milk.
Therefore, during breastfeeding, mothers are required to eat nutritious, clean, healthy, safe foods and drink enough water (approximately 8 glasses per day).
To find out more about preventing stunting during pregnancy and breastfeeding, Mom can read the whole book on preventing stunting in series 2 “Nutrition for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers”.
Prevent stunting in children aged 6-11 months
In the book preventing stunting series 3, Mom can find out more about the nutritional and nutritional needs of children aged 6-11 months.
In the book, there is an explanation regarding Complementary Foods for Mother’s Milk (MP-ASI) which are given to infants from the age of 6-11 months. MP-ASI is useful as additional nutrition for babies. Because, starting at the age of 6 months, babies need more nutrition.
Of course, the amount and texture of MP-ASI in babies vary according to their age level. Based on the World Health Organization (2003), the provisions for the provision of complementary feeding are as follows:
Baby 6-8 Months
- The texture of the food starts from thick porridge until the food is pulverized.
- The frequency of eating can be 2-3 times every day with 1-2 times an interlude.
- Start with 2-3 tablespoons per meal, gradually increasing to 2 cups of 125-250 mL.
- Breast milk is still given 60-70% of the total energy needs. so it takes about 200 kcal MP-ASI.
Baby 9-11 Months
- Improved food texture, ranging from chopped, coarsely filtered to handheld (finger foods; can stimulate children’s motor skills).
- The frequency of eating is 3-4 times the main meal and 1-2 times an interlude.
- The portion of the meal becomes 3/4 cup equivalent to 125-175 mL.
- Breast milk consumption provides 35-40% energy or about 379 kcal. so it takes MP-ASI about 300 kcal.
So that you don’t get confused in giving complementary feeding, you can read the book on preventing stunting series 3: “Local Menus for Children aged 6-11 Months”. There are lots of MP-ASI recipes that suit the nutritional and nutritional needs of children 6-11 months old so they can avoid stunting.
Prevent stunting in children aged 1-5 years
Finally, there is a book series on preventing stunting 4 which contains the fulfillment of nutrition for children aged 1-5 years. This book explains the nutritional needs of children. Starting from the nutritional needs of toddlers to recipes for nutritious local food menus.
This book also introduces B2SA principles in the process of feeding children, as follows:
Diverse, the more diverse the food consumed, the more complete the nutrients obtained.
Nutritious, the food consumed contains macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats as well as micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals.
Balanced, the food consumed is adjusted to the needs of toddlers based on age, gender, physical activity, weight, and meal times.
Safe, food must be free from harmful chemicals in the form of food additives (BTP) which are prohibited, and free from physical pollution such as gravel, and biological pollution which includes bacteria and fungi.
To find out more about the nutritional fulfillment of children under five, Mom can read the entire contents of the book preventing stunting series 4: “Local Menus for Children Age 1-5 Years”. There are also many nutritious and nutritious local menu recipes for children, you know. Mom can try to make it.
How to prevent stunting in children that parents should know
To ensure that your child is protected from stunting, it is very important to check the child’s health and development at the hospital or other health facilities.
So, those are some tips to prevent stunting in children since pregnancy. Hopefully, all the information provided is useful and can be applied by Mom at home.
