Peningkatan Pengetahuan Gizi Seimbang dengan Solusi Alternatif untuk Pencegahan Stunting Pada Anak Usia Balita Di Puskesmas Tarik

Abstract

Stunting remains a major issue in efforts to improve children's nutritional status in Indonesia. According to the 2022 Indonesian Nutritional Status Study (SSGI), the national prevalence of stunting among children under five was recorded at 21.6%, while East Java Province reported a rate of 19.2%. The city of Surabaya showed a lower prevalence of 4.8%. Nevertheless, both promotive and preventive interventions are still required to maintain and further reduce this figure sustainably. This community service activity was conducted in Mojo Subdistrict with the aim of enhancing the knowledge of mothers with toddlers regarding stunting and the importance of balanced nutritional intake in supporting child growth. One of the approaches used involved introducing quail eggs as an affordable source of animal protein with high nutritional value. Quail eggs were processed into sponge cakes as a healthy snack alternative tailored to the nutritional needs of toddlers. The educational intervention was delivered through counseling and live demonstrations, accompanied by the administration of pre- and post-activity questionnaires. All invited mothers participated and completed the questionnaires, indicating a high level of engagement. Evaluation results showed a significant improvement in participants’ understanding of stunting, its adverse effects on child growth and development, and the importance of choosing nutritious foods. The creative use of local food ingredients proved effective as a nutrition education tool while simultaneously strengthening the role of mothers in stunting prevention efforts within the working area of Tarik Public Health Center.

Keywords: Stunting, toddlers, prevalence