It is known that the prevalence of stunting or shortness experienced by children due to body failure in Lebak Regency, Banten Province as of April 2023 has decreased to 3,736 people from the previous 4,618 people on December 1, 2022. However, this figure is still much higher (approx. 26%) compared to the national prevalence average of 21% in 2022 and the national target of 14% in 2024.
In a breakthrough effort to overcome the problem of stunting, which is still a health challenge in Indonesia, the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, represented by Nurul Dina Rahmawati, S.Gz., M.Sc., has launched a unique youth nutrition education program in the District Kalanganyar, Lebak, Banten.
This program, which took place on 27 November 2023 at SMK 1 Kalanganyar, featured the use of an innovative online game entitled “Nutrition Impact”, focusing on the issue of anemia – providing knowledge about symptoms, causes, impacts and solutions. This game is equipped with educational modules regarding the Definition of Adolescence, Physical and Psychological Changes in Adolescents, Anemia, and healthy lifestyles, providing comprehensive information that is interesting for teenagers. Without realizing it, teenagers will get a variety of complex information about nutrition and health in a fun way.
One of the challenges faced in preventing anemia is the reluctance of teenagers to consume Blood Supplement Tablets (TTD) provided by the Community Health Center. Many female students at SMK 1 Kalanganyar stated that they did not regularly consume TTD because of the unpleasant smell and taste, as well as side effects such as nausea. To overcome this, the program provides practical tips, such as consuming TTD together with fresh fruit, sweet foods, or drinks, and avoiding consuming tea, coffee and milk when consuming TTD.
This program is also implemented in a hybrid manner, through face-to-face and online sessions using Zoom, as well as using WhatsApp groups for one month as a discussion forum. This initiative combines fun and interactive educational methods, with the hope of increasing awareness and compliance with good health and nutrition among youth.
Head of SMKN 1 Kalanganyar Ratna Ningsih, M.Pd., and Head of Kalanganyar Subdistrict, Bayu Hadiyana T., S.IP., M.Si., welcomed this program. “Young girls are future mothers who will determine the quality of the next generation. “Therefore, young women must be healthy so that their children will be free from stunting,” said Bayu Hadiyana. Nurul Dina added, “Stunting has impacts across generations, and with the right education and awareness, we can prevent this cycle from recurring.”
This adolescent nutrition education program marks a significant step in efforts to reduce the prevalence of stunting and improve the health and productivity of adolescents in Kalanganyar District and can be an example for similar efforts in other regions.
