PREVENTING STUNTING FROM ADOLESCENCE:A STUDY ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS, KNOWLEDGE, AND NUTRITION-RELATED BEHAVIORS AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Stunting is a condition of growth failure in children due to chronic malnutrition, especially during the first 1,000 days of life¹². Children who experience stunting tend to experience delayed cognitive development, lower cognitive abilities, and are at higher risk of chronic diseases in adulthood^3,1. Stunting is not just an individual health issue, but also a threat to human resource development and national competitiveness⁴. Prevention of stunting should be done early, starting in adolescence⁵. Adolescents are future mothers who will give birth to the next generation. The current health and nutritional status of adolescents will determine the quality of pregnancy and child growth in the future. The intergenerational cycle of malnutrition in Female Adolescents, such as malnutrition and anemia, can contribute to anemia during pregnancy, which can then affect fetal and child growth in the long term⁶. In addition, early marriage and teenage pregnancy carry the risk of fetal growth disorders and a tendency toward stunting⁷. This study aims to examine the nutritional status, knowledge, and clean and healthy lifestyle behaviors of adolescents as a means of preventing stunting in toddlers. This study was conducted in three districts in Riau Province, namely Pekanbaru City, Dumai City, and Kampar District. The population consisted of female adolescents aged 13-18 years. The sample was taken randomly using the Lameshow formula, amounting to 246 people. The results showed that the majority of Female Adolescents had an ideal body mass index (BMI) of 56.9%, 22% were anemic, 67.5% had good knowledge, and 75.2% had poor behavior. Preventing stunting in adolescents is a long-term investment in building a golden generation in 2045. Healthy, knowledgeable, and nutrition-conscious adolescents will become prospective parents who are able to give birth to healthy, intelligent, and productive children who are free from stunting.