Don't Let Children experience stunting; Know How to Prevent it.

Stunting is chronic malnutrition caused by a lack of nutritional intake over a long period of time due to food intake that does not match nutritional needs. The problem of stunting occurs starting from the womb; it will be seen when the child turns two years old.

Following are some of the symptoms of stunting that parents should watch out for, including:

1. The growth of bones and teeth in children is late.
2. Low body weight when compared to children his age
3. Children have shorter heights than children their age.
4. Body proportions that tend to be normal but look younger or smaller for their age.
5. The ability to focus and the learning memory of children are lacking. Not infrequently, concentration disorders also affect the way we communicate.
6. Age 8–10, children become quieter and don't make much eye contact with the people around them.
7. Toddler weight does not increase and even tends to decrease.
8. The development of the child's body is hampered by conditions such as late menarche (the daughter's first menstruation).
9. Drastic weight loss is one sign of malnutrition, which is a condition when the body lacks nutrients to carry out its functions.
10. Children are susceptible to various infectious diseases.

Stunting occurs due to a lack of nutritional intake in the first 1,000 days of a child's life. The 1,000-day count here starts with the fetus and continues until the child is 2 years old.

If nutrition is not fulfilled properly during this time, the impact will have short-term and long-term effects. Symptoms of short-term stunting include developmental delays, decreased immune function, decreased cognitive function, and impaired combustion systems. While long-term symptoms include obesity, decreased glucose tolerance, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and osteoporosis,

Stunting develops in the long term due to a combination of several or all of the following factors:

1. Chronic malnutrition for a long time
2. Not enough protein in the proportion of total caloric intake
3. Hormonal changes triggered by stress
4. Often suffer from infections early in a child's life.

Efforts to prevent stunting in children can be made by doing the following:

1. Examination of the content at the nearest health facility
2. Routinely consume iron tablets.
3. During pregnancy, you must fulfill your nutritional intake, such as animal protein, which is good for the growth and development of the fetus, and your intake of minerals such as iron, folic acid, and iodine.
4. Active teenage girls take 1 tablet of iron supplementation a week
5. Apply Early Breastfeeding Initiation (IMD).

Shortly after the baby is born, do IMD to successfully run exclusive breastfeeding. Give exclusive breastfeeding until the child is six  months old and continue with healthy and nutritious solids.

6. Babies over six months are given the option of consuming animal protein and continuing to breastfeed.
7. Come to Posyandu every month to monitor the growth and development of toddlers.
8. Immunization Pay attention to the routine immunization schedule implemented by the Government so that children are protected from various diseases.
9. A clean and healthy lifestyle

Prevention of stunting can also be done by adopting a clean and healthy lifestyle, such as:

1. washing hands with soap and clean water;
2. Delivery assisted by health personnel.
3. Exclusive breastfeeding;
4. Using clean water for daily needs
5. Using healthy latrines;
6. Consumption of fruits and vegetables
7. Doing physical activity every day; h. eradicating mosquito larvae;
8. Not smoking in the house

 

If the child or family of Friends of Hermina experience the above health problems, consult with dr Feby Juwita, Sp.A a Pediatrician at Hermina Tasikmalaya Hospital.