Stunting is currently one of the important issues in the world of children’s health. The Ministry of Health emphasized that stunting is a major threat to the quality of Indonesian society.
This not only interferes with physical growth, brain development will also be impaired. In addition, children who suffer from stunting will have a bad medical history.
Yayasan Mitra Insani (YMI) through the community-based mangrove Ecosystem Management program, cooperates and facilitates health cadre groups.
A group of cadres from Igal Village, Cup Island and Sapat village in Indragiri Hilir regency.
In carrying out the “socialization of nutritious food knowledge” in an effort to support conservation in paying attention to the health of coastal communities in general.
This activity was socialized by Mandah district health workers as a forum to convey information and apply their knowledge.
Through activities that focus on the creation of the implementation of food security for the realization of healthy coastal communities.
In this socialization, more than 100 health cadres from assisted villages were present. The cadres received material focused on complementary food solids toddlers aged 6-24 months.
This has the purpose of improving the knowledge and skills of cadres in processing solid foods by utilizing local food around.
In this case, those who use communication, information, and education (KIE) media in printed and electronic form, such as: posters, games, videos, etc.
Complementary foods (MP-ASI) are foods that contain nutrients given to infants or children aged 6-24 months to meet nutritional needs other than breast milk.
MPASI should be varied, nutrient-dense, sanitary and hygiene. MPASI must contain balanced complete nutrition, in the form of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.
furthermore, in the provision of complementary foods should be considered in the frequency of administration, the number of servings, texture, variety of ingredients, the attitude of the child and the content of nutrients in a given menu.
Improper practice of complementary feeding can be a major cause of malnutrition in children.
Examples of Mpasi from local food sources
In addition to educational activities on the importance of MPASI and how to give it right, the health team also conducted demonstration practices on the processing of MPASI by utilizing local food sources.
The menu in the demonstration in the form of shrimp balls and pepes tofu.
Pepes tofu can be given to children aged 6 months and over because it has a soft testur and has complete protein.
The administration can be done in a gradual way little by little because toddlers need adaptation to new foods.
The ingredients needed are eggs, tofu, pure coconut milk and others.
Therefore, the provision of complementary foods in toddlers does not have to require high costs, the surrounding food that has a low price also has a high protein value.
Such as tempeh, tofu, eggs, spinach, chicken, shrimp and more.
In this socialization activity, it is expected that the community and health cadres can provide nutritious food for families and take advantage of local food.
And later will also be able to provide counseling back to the community in the village, especially to pregnant women and mothers of toddlers.
