The prevalence of stunting in Indonesia decreased to 21.6 percent in 2022. However, this figure still exceeds the World Health Organization’s growth standard of 20 percent. More efforts are needed to address this issue.
By
DEONISIA ARLINTA, MAWAR KUSUMA WULAN
·5 minutes read
KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN
A toddler is carried by his mother in Tesabela Village, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, September 2022. The number of toddlers with stunting has decreased due to consumption of moringa.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The prevalence of stunting in Indonesia in 2022 was recorded at 21.6 percent. This figure is down 2.8 percent from 2021, at 24.4 percent. Though this decrease is a good sign, more collaborative efforts are needed to continue reducing the stunting prevalence to ensure the nation’s next generation grows up healthy.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in his opening remarks at the national working meeting of the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), in Jakarta on Wednesday (25/1/2023), stated that the decline in stunting over the last six years deserves appreciation. In 2013, the stunting prevalence in Indonesia stood at 37.2 percent and continued to decrease until it amounted to 21.6 percent in 2022.
“My target is to attain 14 percent by 2024 and we must be able to achieve that. It is not a difficult target. It’s only a matter of willingness, as long as we can consolidate this,” said the President.
The lowered stunting prevalence in Indonesia was recorded in the 2022 Indonesia Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI). However, this figure still exceeds the growth standard set by the WHO, at 20 percent.
Apart from the stunting prevalence, the survey also collected other nutritional data among children under five years old, such as the prevalence of wasting, as well as of being underweight and overweight. This survey is conducted annually. In 2021, the stunting prevalence was recorded at 24.4 percent.
The President reiterated that stunting must be resolved. Stunting is a child’s failure to reach their growth potential due to malnutrition. Stunting does not only impact height but also children’s ability to learn. Stunted children are also at risk of developing various chronic diseases in the future.
JOHANES GALUH BIMANTARA
A midwife at the Warsawe Health Center, Filnitris Arwiwin Ule (left), invites mothers with children aged two and under to play a quiz to campaign for stunting prevention, Tuesday (24/11/2020), in Mbeliling District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
Regional innovations
The President added that innovations to address stunting need to be encouraged by every stakeholder, including local administrations. One exemplary area is Kampar regency, Riau Islands. Stunting prevalence in the region significantly decreased from 23 to 7 percent.
This success was achieved through, among other things, a foster-care program. Every company in the area was asked to foster a stunted child. “Because there were foster parents, [stunting] finally decreased drastically. I believe other regions can do it too. For example, in Java, just entrust the companies there with this so they have increased social responsibility toward children,” said the President.
Another form of innovation was developed in Sumedang, West Java, through the stunting management application. The application is used as a platform to monitor the needs of each individual. In treating stunting, data collection is important to ensure that the interventions reach their intended targets.
On the same occasion, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized that reducing the prevalence of stunting from 2021 to 2022 was not easy, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. The success of reducing the stunting prevalence has brought about optimism amongst all parties to attain the goal of a 14-percent stunting prevalence.
“The pandemic is no ordinary period and reducing the prevalence of stunting is not easy. Having said that, the pandemic is now under control, so hopefully this year will be even better. [The stunting prevalence] decreased even during a pandemic,” he said.
The most significant declines in stunting prevalence were reported in South Sumatra, North Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and Riau Islands. Meanwhile, the largest decrease in the number of stunting cases were reported in West Java and East Java. However, there are also several provinces where stunting increased, namely West Sulawesi, Papua, West Papua, West Nusa Tenggara, West Sumatra and East Kalimantan.
Budi conveyed that the Health Ministry continues to work toward reducing the stunting prevalence via specific interventions. There is a focus on strengthening interventions for pregnant women and children over the age of six months after exclusive breastfeeding.
Pregnant women are ensured they do not experience anemia. Ultrasound examinations during the pregnancy are also done. If it is discovered that fetal growth is hampered, intervention is immediately given.
“That is why we will equip 10,000 puskesmas [community health centers] with ultrasonography equipment. We are trying to ensure 10,000 puskesmas have USG [ultrasonography]. At the moment, only 5,000 puskesmas have this equipment,” said Budi.
Anthropometric measurement tools, which are standardized tools for measuring children’s weight and height, will also be equipped at all health services posts (posyandu). Currently, only 100,000 posts are equipped with these measurement tools, while there are a total of 300,000 posts across the country. It is targeted for all posts to be equipped with these tools by this year.
Budi added that animal protein will be pushed for children aged six months and over during the complementary feeding period. “So do not give children carbohydrates, like biscuits, give animal proteins instead. This means either eggs, fish, meat or chicken, not carbs, vegetables or vegetable proteins,” he said.
Education
The President conveyed that counseling and education are no less important in the efforts to reduce the country’s prevalence of stunting. Many people still do not understand how to provide good nutrition for their children.
“Counseling is very important. What children need now are [animal] proteins. But instead they are given biscuits or instant coffee. Once again, counseling is important,” said the President.
We need to move quickly in terms of education. The way we eat is already wrong; so are our habits.
According to BKKBN head Hasto Wardoyo, the board, through a team of family aides, will encourage education in the community. However, many residents have already adopted incorrect eating habits.
“We need to move quickly in terms of education. The way we eat is already wrong; so are our habits. For example, latrines have been built and yet some still defecate in the river. Thus, knowledge, mindset and behaviors are part of our duty,” he said.
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