Research Results To 187.483 Children In Tangerang, Turns Out That 8.700 To Be Stunting

JAKARTA - The Regency Government of Tangerang, Banten noted that until mid-2022 there were 8.704 children experiencing stunting, chronic malnutrition that interferes with children's growth so that their bodies are shorter than the average child of his age.

Head of Public Health, Tangerang District Health Office, Dr. Indri, explained that the data was from the results of an assessment of nutritional status and measurements of weight and height carried out on 187.483 children.

She added, in 2021 measurements were carried out on 212.743 children and the results showed 11.083 children were stunted.

Impaired growth in children is caused by several factors, including chronic malnutrition from the time the child is in the womb until the age of two.

In addition, she continued, economic factors, culture, parenting patterns, parental knowledge about nutrition, and environmental conditions also affect the fulfillment of children's nutritional needs.

"And that sensitive factor contributes 70 percent of the causes of stunting," she said.

The district government continues to strive to reduce the number of stunting cases in its area, among others, by intensifying reproductive health and nutrition education programs for adolescents and the general public.

The local government implements the Caplinkasep program to provide guidance on health and fulfillment of nutritional needs to prospective brides and grooms.

"So later each village will ensure that the prospective newlyweds will have their health checks done. And later after the process is passed, they will get a health certificate," said Indri.