Free Nutritious Meals for Pregnant Women Can Be Key Intervention to Prevent Stunting: PDGKI

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Chairperson of the Central Board of the Indonesian Clinical Nutrition Physicians Association (PDGKI), Dr Erwin Christianto, M.Gizi, Sp.GK, has said that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme for pregnant women could be an important intervention in preventing the risk of stunting from the time a child is still in the womb.

The view was conveyed following President Prabowo Subianto’s statement on stunting and the importance of fulfilling nutrition in his state address at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD RI) on Friday.

According to Erwin, stunting prevention should actually begin from the first 1,000 days of life, even before pregnancy, especially among adolescent girls who are underweight.

“MBG for pregnant women can be one of the important interventions in stunting prevention, especially for families with economic limitations,” Erwin said when contacted by ANTARA.

Erwin said that fulfilling nutrition during pregnancy greatly determines the environment for foetal growth and development. Intake of energy, protein, iron, folate, iodine and other micronutrients is needed to support organ growth, brain development and optimal foetal growth.

Fulfilling this nutrition is especially important during the critical period of pregnancy, including from the third to the eighth week when organ formation occurs.

Conversely, maternal malnutrition can increase the risk of impaired foetal growth and low birth weight. In the long term, this condition can also increase the risk of stunting in children.

“Fulfilling the nutrition of pregnant women is not merely about making the mother full, but is a primary requirement for the growth and health quality of the child from the womb,” said Erwin.

To meet nutritional needs during pregnancy, Erwin advised pregnant women to adopt a varied diet with adequate energy, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Nutrients that need attention include protein, iron, folic acid, iodine, calcium, zinc, vitamin D, and various other micronutrients as needed.

According to him, no single type of food can independently prevent stunting.

“So the principle is simple: sufficient, varied, balanced, safe and according to needs,” said Erwin.