Strategies for Preventing Stunting in Children: A Literature Review

Abstrak

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that seriously impacts physical growth, cognitive development, and the productivity of future generations. Although its prevalence in Indonesia decreased from 30.8% in 2018 to 21.6% in 2022, this figure remains above the national target of 14% in 2024. This study aims to review and synthesize scientific evidence related to stunting prevention strategies, with a focus on the effectiveness of specific nutrition interventions, sensitive nutrition, behavioral education, and preconception and 1,000 Days of Life (HPK) approaches. The method used is a literature review with a narrative approach, through searching articles in electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, DOAJ, GARUDA, and SINTA, with the inclusion criteria of articles published in the 2020–2025 period and relevant to the theme of stunting prevention. From the selection results, eight articles met the criteria for further analysis. The review results indicate that specific nutrition interventions (such as micronutrient supplementation, food fortification, and improved infant and young child feeding practices), nutrition-sensitive interventions (such as improved sanitation, increased access to clean water, and family economic empowerment), behavioral education (through increased parental knowledge and support from health workers), and preconception and 1,000-day life approaches have proven effective in reducing the risk of stunting. Multisectoral approaches and cross-program integration have shown more significant results than single interventions. The review's conclusions confirm that stunting prevention requires a comprehensive, integrated, and collaborative strategy across sectors, with a primary priority on interventions from preconception through the end of the First 1,000 Days of Life.