Let’s get to know stunting early!

Alma Ata S1 Midwifery Study Programme – Stunting is a very short body condition, examined by the WHO-MGRS (Multicenter Growth Reference Study) standard.

Characteristics of stunted children:

• Signs of late puberty
• Poor performance on attention and learning memory
• Late tooth growth
• Becoming quieter and little eye contact at 8-10 years old
• Slowing down growth
• Younger-looking face compared to age

The adverse effects of stunting:

• Easily Sick
• Reduced Cognitive Ability
• at risk of diet-related diseases in older age
• Unbalanced body functions
• Poor posture in adulthood

Causes of Child Stunting:

• Malnutrition factors experienced by pregnant women and children under five years old
• Lack of maternal knowledge about health and nutrition before and during pregnancy, and after childbirth
• Limited health services including quality ante-natal care (ANC) or maternal health services during pregnancy and early motherhood learning
• Lack of access to nutritious food
• Lack of access to clean water and sanitation

Source: Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration. 2017. Village Handbook on Stunting Management.