Strategi Cost Effective Pencegahan Stunting Melalui Penggunaan Eating Box

Abstract

Stunting is a significant health issue in Indonesia, with a high prevalence of short or stunted toddlers across all provinces. Efforts must be undertaken to prevent stunting, decrease its prevalence, and avert potential short and long-term complications. Optimal prevention strategies should commence during pregnancy and continue through the first two years of the child's life, known as the First 1000 Days of Life. Therefore, maternal knowledge regarding pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and appropriate child nutrition is crucial. The Indonesian government has implemented various outreach and educational initiatives to promote stunting prevention. One effective approach to enhancing stunted toddlers' nutrition is using meal boxes. These boxes contain carefully planned compositions of macronutrients and micronutrients, aligning with nutritional guidelines. They are accompanied by recipes and cooking instructions, enabling families to prepare nutritious meals at home. This literature review underscores that providing meal boxes to low-income and low-educated families in Indonesia is a targeted and cost-effective method to ensure adequate nutritional intake. Such a program can alleviate parental confusion regarding meal planning and promote varied and healthy food choices. However, the involvement of nutritionists is crucial to enhance the efficacy of this program further. Nutritionists can assist in diversifying food ingredients, maintaining consistent nutritional components in recipes, and ensuring that parents follow the cooking procedures accurately.