Improving the health status and quality of life of the people is one of the important aspects of the 2045 Indonesia Development Pillars. There are several population indicators that can illustrate Indonesia's future situation, including education, mortality, fertility, mobility, disability, and housing.

Based on the graph for fertility of the Indonesian public, especially when measured using the ASFR (age-specific fertility rate) or the number of births in a certain age group, high numbers are still found in the age group of 15-19 years.

“Marriage and birth at such an early age can lead to the threat of stunting. Even though the stunting rate in Indonesia has decreased to touch 21%, this figure does not meet the 0% stunting rate criteria in the sustainable development goals (SDGs)," he emphasized.

Stunting can simply be characterized based on height. If a baby’s height does not meet the normal criteria for a child's growth chart at the age of 0-2 years, then it can be said that the baby has a risk of stunting. "Although it can be characterized by height, stunting is actually not just a matter of height but also chronic malnutrition," he explained.

Malnutrition is indeed one of the main causes of stunting. However, Bonivasius added, stunting can be caused by various factors. First, the cause of stunting is insufficient nutritional intake from pregnant women to the age of 2 years. “Why up to 2 years old? According to research results from the Ministry of Health, when a child reaches the age of 2 years, the brain has closed so it can no longer be developed."

Other factors are incorrect parenting, limited health services, lack of access to nutritious food as well as clean water and sanitation. With regard to access to clean water, sanitation, the environment, and healthy latrines, he said, "Even if the food intake is good, diseases that may arise due to poor sanitation can cause abnormal growth in children."

Students can also play a role in preventing stunting in aspects of sensitive interventions. "This sensitive intervention can be done by everyone, including students," he added. "Students can play a role in creating something in their respective fields that prevents stunting."

He added that students could play a role through the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, especially in Village Building/Thematic KKN activities and Humanitarian Projects. This activity is very relevant because students can be directly involved in implementing ideas to prevent stunting.

To encourage students to take a role in preventing stunting, BKKBN also conducts mentoring activities in realizing MBKM regarding this topic. "The role of students in the field is stunting socialization and direct DASHAT (Healthy Kitchen to Overcome Stunting) assistance to the community." This socialization activity includes education, raising awareness, and advocacy.

Reporter: Athira Syifa PS (Postharvest Technology, 2019)
Translator: Hanna Daniela Ayu (Aerospace Engineering, 2021)