Stunting is a growth problem in children caused by a long-term lack of adequate nutrition.
This is one of the health problems experienced by many children in Aceh Province. In fact, Aceh was ranked among the top three provinces with the highest national stunting rate in 2021.
Based on the Indonesian Nutritional Status Study (SSGI) report, in 2021 in Aceh Province, an average of 33.2% of children under five (under-five children) experienced stunting. This means that approximately 1 in 3 under-five children in Aceh Province has a height below the average for children of the same age.
There are three regions in Aceh Province with the highest prevalence of stunting in under-five children, reaching up to 40%. These three regions are Gayo Lues Regency (42.9%), Subulussalam City (41.8%), and Bener Meriah Regency (40%).
Banda Aceh City is recorded as the region with the lowest prevalence of stunting in under-five children in Aceh, at 23.4%. Following this are Sabang City with a prevalence of 23.8%, and Bireuen Regency with 24.3%.
In 2021, there were 10 regencies/cities in Aceh Province with a prevalence of stunting in under-five children above the provincial average. Meanwhile, 13 regencies/cities had a prevalence below the provincial average.