Children are the nation's future generation. However, in Indonesia, a significant number of children under five (toddlers) still suffer from malnutrition. One indicator is the persistently high rate of stunting in several regions.
Based on the results of the Indonesian Nutritional Status Study (SSGI), in 2021, 23.5% of toddlers in East Java Province experienced stunting.
Fourteen regencies/cities in East Java have a stunting prevalence rate above the provincial average. The remaining 24 regencies/cities have a stunting prevalence rate below the provincial average.
Bangkalan Regency is recorded as the area with the highest prevalence of stunting in East Java, reaching 38.9%. This is followed by Pamekasan Regency at 38.7%, Bondowoso Regency at 37%, Lumajang Regency at 30.1%, and Sumenep Regency at 29%.
Surabaya City also has a stunting prevalence rate of 28.9%. This is followed by Mojokerto Regency at 27.4%, Malang Regency and Malang City at 25.7% each, and Nganjuk Regency at 25.3%.
Stunting is a condition where a child's height is below the standard for children of the same age. It is one indicator of growth failure due to chronic malnutrition and recurrent infections during the first 1,000 days of life, from the fetal stage to 23 months of age.