Journal of Nutrition in Child Development
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): March : Journal of Nutrition in Child Development

Assessing the Effectiveness of Community-Based Nutritional Programs on Preventing Stunting in Rural Children

Pramudya Dwianto (Universitas Katolik Widya Mandira)



Article Info

Publish Date
09 May 2025

Abstract

Community-based nutrition programs are central to Indonesia's strategy for reducing stunting, especially in hard-to-reach rural populations. This study assessed the effectiveness of an integrated community intervention in East Nusa Tenggara, involving 420 children under five. The intervention consisted of monthly growth monitoring, provision of supplementary food using local ingredients, caregiver education, and capacity building for Posyandu cadres. Over a 12-month period, stunting prevalence declined from 42.3% to 28.7% (p<0.01). Improvement was also observed in maternal knowledge scores and child dietary diversity. Qualitative feedback indicated that consistent volunteer involvement and local government support were critical to program success. However, logistical issues and seasonal food shortages presented ongoing challenges. This study highlights that community ownership and culturally relevant practices are essential for program sustainability. Future programs should ensure linkage with primary healthcare systems and address broader food system constraints to amplify impact.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

nutritionchilddev

Publisher

Subject

Description

Journal of Nutrition in Child Development is a peer-reviewed academic journal that focuses on the intersection of nutrition and child development, specifically in the early stages of life. It publishes high-quality research, reviews, and clinical studies that explore the role of nutrition in the ...