Kudus Cohort Study: a Two-Year Nutritional Observation of Newborn Cohort under Gemas (Gerakan Menjaga Periode Emas) Initiative.

Farid A Rahmadi (Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia)
Ari Budi Himawan (Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia.)
Ahmad Syaifuddin (Sunan Kudus Islamic Hospital, Kudus Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia.)
Arif Faiza (Indonesian Medical Association, Kudus Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia.)
Andini Aridewi (Kudus Regency Health Office, Kudus Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia.)
Dony Wicaksana (Jekulo Public Health Center, Kudus Regency Health Office, Kudus Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia.)
Isna Noor Khilda (Rejosari Public Health Center, Kudus Regency Health Office, Kudus Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia.)
Devy Ayu Kurniati (Mejobo Public Health Center, Kudus Regency Health Office, Kudus Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia)
Noor Hasyim Afro (Bae Public Health Center, Kudus Regency Health Office, Kudus Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia.)
Sudarmono (Sidorekso Public Health Center, Kudus Regency Health Office, Kudus Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia)
Doctors Closed Group (General Practitioners)
Anwar Santoso (National Cardiovascular Center, Harapan Kita Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.)
Widjaja Lukito (College of Clinical Nutrition)

IJCNP (INDONESIAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION PHYSICIAN)
Vol 7 No 2 (2026): IJCNP (INDONESIAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION PHYSICIAN)

Maternal and child nutritional issues remain significant public health challenges in Indonesia. Longitudinal cohort data on growth and development from pregnancy through early childhood are scarce. This study describes the nutritional status of a cohort of children assessed at birth and at 6, 12, and 24 months. This operational study included 3,895 newborn infant, 874 children followed from birth to 2 years, and 110 children tracked over the same period. Anthropometric measurements of body weight and length were collected. Findings indicate that stunting should not be the sole focus when assessing nutritional status in children up to 2 years of age. Wasting also persists as a significant nutritional issue, with its prevalence increasing when the exclusive breastfeeding period was completed. Low birth weight (LBW) is recognized as a key determinant of infant growth and development through 12 months. Implementation of a single-package intervention in the Gemas Maternal and Child Health Program was effective in promoting catch-up growth among cohort children following the exclusive breastfeeding period.