Animal Protein Called An Important Expert To Prevent Malnutrition

Illustration-(Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Parents are asked to improve the quality of mother's milk substitute food (MPASI). Nutrition, especially animal protein, must be given to prevent malnutrition or stunting. "Animated protein consumption is important for child growth," said Dr. Nur Aisiyah Widjaja, Sp.A in a national webinar entitled 'Animated Suppression for Stunting Laksana' quoted on Monday, September 18. Nur Aisiyah, who is familiarly called Nuril, then said that the administration of animal protein can be done after the child is 6 months old. This is because breastfeeding alone is not enough. "When children aged 6-8 months, the nutritional content of breast milk decreased by 30 percent. Then at the age of 9-11 months, it decreased again to 50 percent and then continued to decrease to 70 percent," he said. Even so, Nuril said that the consumption of animal protein in the country is still very low. "That's only 9.58 grams for groups of fish, shrimp, squid, or shells (and, red) 4.79 grams for meat groups, and 3.37 grams for groups of eggs or milk," he said. This condition made Nuril remind parents to provide MPASI equipped with plant and animal protein. There is a dose that needs to be followed, for example for children in good health aged 6-11 months, protein needs that must be met up to 15 grams and can be obtained by consuming eggs and catfish. In addition, parents can also pay attention to the energy ratio (PER) protein. This guide is considered capable of optimizing the shortage so that children can pursue growth. "By referring to PER, it can be known that to increase weight quickly, between 10-20 grams per kilogram of daily weight requires food intake with an energy protein ratio of 8.9-11.5 percent. As for a larger weight gain, food can be given per 10-15 percent," he said. As for children who are already malnourished or stunted, there are several things that must be done, such as detecting congenital diseases to providing processed food for special medical purposes (PKMK). Types can be in the form of milk with a high calorie content. "The provision of PKMK is individual in nature which requires a doctor's assessment and monitoring because it must be adjusted to the nutritional status condition of the child," concluded Nuril.