Underweight Children at Risk of Stunting, Parents Urged to Be Vigilant

The condition of children with underweight requires careful attention from parents from an early stage. If not addressed promptly, this condition can heighten the risk of growth disorders in children, including stunting. According to Professor Ali Khomsan, Professor of Food and Nutrition at IPB University, children with an underweight nutritional status are a group that requires attention in the prevention of stunting. Ali explains that underweight refers to children whose weight is lower than the standard for their age. This nutritional status can usually be observed through growth curves used in monitoring at posyandu (integrated health posts). Underweight is when a child’s weight is lower than the standard weight for age. Meanwhile, stunting occurs when a child’s height is lower than the standard height for age. “Wasting occurs when weight-for-height is low. But the majority entering this programme are underweight children, whose weight is low for their age,” Ali said. He added that monitoring a child’s nutritional status is typically carried out regularly at posyandu through the measurement of weight and height. If this condition is not addressed, children are at risk of growth disorders that are harder to manage, including stunting.