Stunting Response: IPB University KKNT Innovation Team and Toddler Mothers in Kendal Hold Fish Nugget Cooking Demo

IPB University’s Innovation Real-Thematic Work Lecture (KKNT) team successfully implemented a work program entitled Tanggap Stunting Anak Sehat (Tangkas) #2 through a cooking demonstration of complementary ASI (MPASI) and counseling related to balanced nutrition at Posyandu Blok Manis, Kendal Village, Cirebon Regency, West Java.

Tangkas is one of the work programs launched by the KKNT Inovasi IPB University team which contains counseling and cooking demonstrations for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and mothers with children under five in preventing stunting problems in Kendal Village.

Kendal Village is one of the areas where the stunting rate is still high. Based on data from 2023, this village has 19 children under five who are indicated to be stunted, so real intervention is needed to overcome this problem.

Nagisha as the person in charge of Tangkas stated that the KKNT Inovasi IPB University team saw the importance of education and training for mothers in providing nutritious complementary food. Therefore, she and the team chose fish nuggets as the main menu in this cooking demonstration. 

“Fish is one of the best sources of animal protein for complementary food. It is rich in essential nutrients, such as protein, iron, and omega 3, which are important for the growth and development of infants and toddlers. In addition, nuggets are made with the addition of tofu as vegetable protein and carrots which are rich in vitamins and fiber,” she said.

The cooking demonstration event in Sweet Block, Kendal Village, collaborated with posyandu cadres and midwives in the local area and was attended by 40 mothers with children under five who were doing posyandu.

“Complementary food is one of the important things to be given to children when they are 6 months old. Complementary food is needed to fulfill the nutritional needs of children so that children have good growth, development, and nutritional status,” said Nagisha.

Midwife Mrs. Elly Nurlaeli, AmdKeb added, “Exclusive breastfeeding is also very important when the baby is 0-6 months old. There is something called colostrum, which is a yellow liquid that is very good for babies, released during the first day to the fifth day after childbirth.” 

“It is also important for mothers to pay attention to the way they breastfeed their babies, so that a lot of breast milk is not wasted due to mistakes in breastfeeding,” she added.

On the sidelines of the cooking demonstration, the KKNT Inovasi team also held a question and answer session related to complementary feeding. The mothers enthusiastically asked and answered questions given by IPB University students.

After the cooking demonstration was over, 100 pieces of fish nuggets that were successfully made were distributed to the mothers and toddlers present.

With this activity, Nagisha and the KKNT Inovasi team hope that the stunting rate in Kendal Village can be significantly reduced. This activity is expected to not only have a positive impact on Kendal Village, but also inspire other areas to hold similar programs. Collaborative efforts like this are very important to realize a healthy, smart, and stunting-free generation of Indonesians. (*/Rz) (IAAS/HLF)