Child's Weight Difficult to Increase Worries? Here's How to Detect and Overcome It Early

JAKARTA - Child weight gain is often a major concern for many parents, especially mothers. Not a few are worried when children's weight seems to stagnate or is difficult to increase even though they have tried to provide nutritious food.

This condition, which is often referred to as "BB drag", can be a sign that a child's nutritional intake has not been optimally met or there are other factors that affect their growth and development.

During growth, body weight and height are important indicators to assess the nutritional status of children. If body weight is below standard, the risk of growth disorders, both physical and cognitive, can increase.

This condition is generally related to a lack of nutrient intake, especially calories and protein, so that regular monitoring of growth is an important step to detect problems early.

Data from the Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI) 2024 shows that the prevalence of underweight in children under five years of age is still at 16.8 percent, an increase from 15.9 percent in 2023. This figure is a concern because underweight in children can also increase the risk of stunting.

Pediatric Specialist Dr. Ian Suryadi Suteja, M.Med.Sc., Sp.A explained that the child's nutritional status can be seen from several parameters, especially weight and height.

"The nutritional status of children is one of the benchmarks for assessing whether their daily nutritional intake needs are met. Weight and height are two important parameters in the assessment," he said in a press conference held in Jakarta.

He added that parents are advised to monitor their child's weight periodically. In infants under one year of age, weighing is ideally done every month. Meanwhile, for children up to two years of age, monitoring can be done at least every three months.

"If the child's nutritional intake is well met and optimally utilized by the body, then their growth and development will go well. However, if not, the child's nutritional status can be problematic and risk affecting development until adulthood. Therefore, symptoms of difficult weight gain need to be aware of," he explained.

To help prevent this condition, parents are advised to ensure that children's nutritional needs are met through a balanced diet. Each meal should contain sources of carbohydrates, animal protein, vegetables, and healthy fats.

Animal proteins such as eggs, fish, chicken, and meat have an important role in supporting growth. In addition, milk consumption can also help supplement children's nutritional needs. The menu given does not have to be complicated, but the composition needs to be balanced.

Growth monitoring also needs to be carried out routinely at health facilities such as health centers, posyandu, or hospitals.

"Early detection allows for faster intervention so that the risk of nutritional disorders and long-term effects on child growth and development can be prevented. In some cases, doctors can also recommend high-calorie milk to help catch up on weight gain. However, its use must be based on the recommendations of a pediatrician," said dr. Ian.

Efforts to educate about the importance of monitoring children's nutrition are also carried out by various parties, including through campaigns aimed at increasing parents' awareness of early detection of growth disorders.

One of them is through the "Child Weight Loss Fighter" campaign launched by PT Sarihusada Generasi Mahardhika in the momentum of the 2026 National Nutrition Day.

This campaign aims to invite parents to better understand the importance of balanced nutrition, monitoring growth, and early detection of nutritional problems in children.

The program is a continuation of the Free Stunting Forward Generation (GMBS) movement which previously had reached approximately one million beneficiaries through child growth screening activities in various regions in Indonesia.

CEO of PT Sarihusada Generasi Mahardhika, Joris Bernard, said the effort was carried out as part of the company's commitment to supporting the growth and development of Indonesian children.

"We continue to strive to support the prevention of growth disorders in children through education, screening, and collaboration with various parties so that parents understand the importance of early nutritional monitoring," he explained.

Actress and mother of two, Cut Meyriska, also assessed the concern about her child's weight is something many parents experience.

"Parents don't need to feel alone because many have experienced similar things. The most important thing is to stay calm, monitor the child's growth regularly, meet his nutritional needs, and consult with health professionals," he said.

Through various consistent educational and monitoring efforts, it is hoped that parents can better understand the growth conditions of children and take the right steps to ensure that children grow healthy and optimally.