What is Stunting?
According to Dr. Nia Novita Wirawan, STP, M.Sc., from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Indonesia, stunting is a condition where a child’s growth is impaired, resulting in a height that is lower than the standard for their age. Children who experience stunting have a higher vulnerability to infections due to a weakened immune system. They are also more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity in adulthood.
In addition to physical health issues, stunting also affects a child’s cognitive development, which can hinder academic achievement and reduce productivity and economic income in the future.
Causes and Efforts to Address Stunting
One of the causes of stunting is inadequate nutritional intake for both pregnant women and children. Nutritious food doesn’t have to be expensive or imported; there are plenty of affordable and easily accessible foods around us.
Kadek Nopi Arisanti, SKM, from RSUP Prof. dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah, explains that the Indonesian government has committed to reducing stunting rates by issuing Presidential Regulation No. 72 of 2021 on the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction. One of the pillars of this regulation is to improve food and nutrition security at the individual, family, and community levels.
Thus, the issue of stunting has become a national issue that must be addressed seriously. It is important to consider the daily nutritional requirements (AKG) when planning a daily menu to prevent stunting. Here are some affordable and easily accessible foods in Indonesia that can help prevent stunting.
Stunting Prevention Foods
According to Kadek Nopi Arisanti, SKM, from RSUP Prof. dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah, here are some affordable and easily obtainable foods around us that can help prevent stunting:
1. Tempeh and Tofu
Tempeh and tofu are soybean-based foods rich in protein. Every 100 grams of tempeh contains about 14 grams of protein, while 100 grams of tofu contains about 10.9 grams of protein. Tempeh and tofu are very easy to find in markets and shops in Indonesia at very affordable prices.
2. Legumes
Green beans, often used as supplementary food (PMT) at Posyandu for toddlers, contain about 8.7 grams of protein per 100 grams. Green bean porridge is an easy-to-make, inexpensive dish that children usually enjoy because of its sweet taste.
3. Eggs
Adding one egg to the daily menu can help prevent stunting for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers. Eggs contain good protein for children’s growth and are affordable and easily available at nearby shops.
4. Chicken Liver
Chicken liver contains about 27.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, which is much higher than chicken meat, which contains about 18.2 grams of protein. Therefore, chicken liver is recommended as one of the nutritious foods to prevent stunting. It is cheap and relatively easy to find in markets or local restaurants.
5. Fish
Indonesia is famous for its fish production, such as mackerel and tilapia, which have nutritional values comparable to salmon. This makes fish a nutritious food choice that does not require a large budget.
In addition to the foods above, breast milk (ASI) is also very important in reducing the risk of stunting. Continue breastfeeding until the child is 2 years old. Also, adhere to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia: ensure each meal consists of 50 percent fruits and vegetables and 50 percent carbohydrates and protein.
The Importance of Animal Protein in the Daily Menu
Animal protein plays a crucial role in children’s growth and development. To ensure children receive adequate animal protein intake, you can choose practical and delicious foods like tilapia fillet from Regal Springs Indonesia. Tilapia is rich in high-quality protein and can be easily prepared into various delicious dishes that children love.
By paying attention to a balanced nutritional intake, we can help children grow healthy and intelligent and prevent the risk of stunting. Ensure your family receives adequate nutrition with healthy, accessible, and highly nutritious food menus.
