<![CDATA[ABSTRAK Stunting merupakan masalah gizi kronis yang dapat mengganggu pertumbuhan anak karena menyebabkan tinggi badan anak tidak sesuai dengan umurnya atau lebih pendek. Permasalahan yang dapat ditimbulkan dari kondisi stuntingadalah kemampuan kognitif yang lemah dan terhambatnya pertumbuhan psikomotorik, kesulitan dalam menguasai ilmu dan berprestasi dalam olahraga, rentan terkena penyakit degeneratif, dan kualitas sumber daya manusia yang rendah. Peran kader sangat strategis untuk mengatasi permasalahan tersebut. Keuntungan kader kesehatan di masyarakat lebih memudahkan menyampaikan informasi kesehatan karena kedekatan secara psikologis maupun waktu. Penting adanya kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat dengan mendayagunakan kader dalam pencegahan stunting melalui edukasi dan keterampilan deteksi dini. Pencegahan stunting jauh lebih efektif dibandingkan dengan pengobatan. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini dilakukan di Desa Batu Ampar, Taba Mulan dan Kelurahan Durian Depun dengan mengunakan pendekatan teoritis berupa pemaparan materi, diskusi, simulasi dan tanya jawab. Pendekatan praktik berupa penguasaan teknik deteksi dini stunting, stimulasi tumbuh kembang, penemuan kasus dan pendampingan bagi kader kesehatan selanjutnya dilakukan advokasi dan sosialisasi. Kegiatan ini berhasil memperkuat peran Kader Dedi Ceting melakukan deteksi dini dan pencegahan stunting di Kecamatan Merigi. Meningkatnya pengetahuan dan keterampilan pada Pelatihan dan pendampingan yang diberikan, menjadi motivasi bagi kader untuk berkomitmen dalam melakukan edukasi, pemantauan pertumbuhan anak, dan intervensi gizi di tingkat keluarga. Kata Kunci: Pemberdayaan, Kader, Cegah Stunting ABSTRACTStunting is a chronic nutritional problem that affects children's growth, leading to a height that is below the expected standard for their age. The consequences of stunting include impaired cognitive abilities, hindered psychomotor development, challenges in acquiring knowledge, poor performance in sports, increased susceptibility to degenerative diseases, and a reduction in the quality of human resources. The role of health cadres was crucial in addressing these issues. The presence of health cadres in the community facilitated the dissemination of health information, owing to their close psychological and temporal proximity to the residents. Community service activities that utilized health cadres in the prevention of stunting through education and early detection skills were of significant importance. Preventing stunting had proven to be much more effective than treating it. The community service was conducted in Batu Ampar Village, Taba Mulan, and Durian Depun Sub-districts, using a theoretical approach that included material presentations, discussions, simulations, and Q&A sessions. The practical approach involved mastering early detection techniques for stunting, stimulating growth and development, identifying cases, and providing guidance to health cadres, followed by advocacy and socialization. The community service successfully strengthened the role of health cadre Dedi Ceting in the early detection and prevention of stunting in Merigi Sub-district. The training and mentoring provided enhanced the understanding, skills, and commitment of the cadres in conducting education, monitoring children's growth, and implementing nutritional interventions at the family level. Keywords: Empowerment, Cadres, Preventing Stunting]]>
