Children Appear Healthy, But Are Malnourished: Be Aware of Hidden Hunger

Illustration of a child eating (Dok. Ist)

JAKARTA - In the midst of a decline in the national stunting rate - according to SSGI 2024 at 19.8% compared to 21.5% in 2023 - Indonesia is actually facing a new challenge in the form of hidden hunger in children. Doctors warn that many children who appear healthy and active actually suffer from important malnutrition, especially iron, zinc, and vitamin D, due to an unbalanced diet.

Dr. Monique Carolina Widjaja, M. Gizi, Sp.GK, as a Clinical Nutritionist who practices at Primaya Tangerang Hospital explained that nutritional errors in children often occur without the parents realizing it and are considered normal.

"Many parents focus on satiety, not nutrition. As a result, children get excess carbohydrate intake, but lack animal protein and important micronutrients," said Dr. Monique.

Currently, Indonesia is facing the challenge of the triple burden of malnutrition, namely stunting, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies in children. Although the stunting rate shows a declining trend, other nutritional problems are actually getting stronger.

According to Dr. Monique, the increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods (ultra processed food/UPF) such as nuggets, sausages, sweet cereals, and packaged snacks is one of the main triggers of children's nutritional problems today.

"This food is very tasty and practical, but low in nutritional quality. In the long run, it can damage natural satiety signals, trigger obesity, and increase the risk of metabolic diseases from a young age," he said.

Child nutrition problems are often not detected because the symptoms are not always visible. Some signs that parents need to be aware of include:

· The child is easily tired and difficult to concentrate

· Recurrent canker sores or easy bleeding gums

· Dull hair, easy to fall out, and brittle nails

· Children often get sick or have repeated infections

"Children can look healthy and active, but biologically their bodies are deficient in essential nutrients. This is what is called hidden hunger. These symptoms are often considered trivial or part of the growth and development phase, even though they can be an early sign of malnutrition," he added.

Therefore, routine nutritional screening is important, even if the child looks healthy and active. This examination aims to detect hidden hunger early, monitor long-term growth, and prevent hidden stunting, obesity, and future non-communicable diseases.

Ideal nutritional screening includes:

· Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, head and arm circumference)

· Physical examination (skin, hair, mouth, conjunctiva)

· Evaluation of daily eating patterns

· Laboratory examination if necessary, including complete blood count and micronutrient status

With proper education and regular monitoring, nutritional problems in children can actually be prevented early. Nutritional errors in childhood not only affect physical growth, but also the body's resistance and productivity in the future.

"Children's nutrition should not be delayed or trivialized. What goes into a child's plate today will determine the quality of health, intelligence, and competitiveness in the future. Nutritional screening should be part of children's health care, as important as immunization," concluded Dr. Monique.