Children's nutrition has an impact on their survival, cognitive growth, and long-term health. Limited linear growth is the result of inadequate nutrition and infections. Low height-for-age, or stunted growth, describes a child who is short for his or her age but not necessarily thin. This poses a risk to long-term developmental outcomes and is also referred to as chronic malnutrition. Low height for age, often known as stunting, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns and young children and is a sign of general nutritional condition.
Stunting has real-world effects that go well beyond linear growth. The immune system, cognitive function, and organ development may all be compromised in a kid who is stunting. Underachieving in these areas could potentially reduce their future productivity and jeopardize the wellbeing of their own children. Stunting in children is caused by a wide range of factors. Examples include inadequate nutrition and limited access to a variety of meals, poor hygiene and a lack of access to clean drinking water, a shortage of adequate healthcare for moms and their children and insufficient psychosocial stimulation and/or parent-child bonds. However, there are ways to avoid stunting, particularly in the first 1,000 days from birth to a child's second birthday. Some effects can be mitigated or even reversed in stunted children. It's vital that both mother and child receive the appropriate postnatal care after birth. Breastmilk, that boosts kids' immune systems and gives them the nutrition they need to grow, is one of the most essential tools in the fight against stunting for babies born into poverty. Due to the micro and macronutrients found in breast milk, stunting in children can be decreased by providing breast milk to infants on a regular basis for six months. Whey and colostrum proteins, which can boost the immunity of weak children and keep them healthy at all times, are also present in breast milk. Stunting can be brought on by a variety of factors, including diarrhea, which is brought on by exposure to toxins that enter the body. Regular cleaning of the kids' play area is indeed recommended. Parents are also advised to regularly check their child's condition, including height and weight. Additionally, it is advised that parents take their children to the children's clinic on a frequent basis so that they can be inform of any early signs of stunting and provided advice on how to avoid it.
PDO I Ayesa Gay A. Bejerano, RND
References:
5 effective ways to prevent stunting
https://www.herminahospitals.com/en/articles/5-cara-ampuh-cegah-stunting-pada-anak
Malnutrition
Stunting: What it is and what it means
