Jakarta (ANTARA) - Health expert Prof Tjandra Yoga Aditama highlighted the need for strengthening the dissemination of information and education to the community regarding the importance of consuming a nutritionally balanced diet that is rich in animal protein.
"The community needs to continuously be reminded about the importance of balanced nutritional fulfillment, especially that is rich in animal protein, in order to support the government's efforts in preventing stunting," Aditama stated when contacted on Saturday.
Indonesia's stunting prevalence declined by 2.8 percentage points to 21.6 percent in 2022, from 24.4 percent in 2021, based on the 2022 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI). The government is aiming to reduce stunting prevalence to 14 percent by 2024.
The Director of the Postgraduate School of YARSI University stated that intensive dissemination of information and education are expected to boost the people's understanding and awareness of balanced nutrition.
Aditama, who was concurrently the former director of Communicable Diseases at the WHO South East Asia Regional Office, emphasized the need to focus on five essential aspects to increase knowledge, understanding, and awareness of the community regarding balanced nutrition.
Under the first area of focus, counseling should be provided continuously by health workers through various means of communication.
Secondly, counseling by community leaders should also be conducted.
The third focus is that various campaigns and activities highlighting real examples of a nutritionally balanced diet should be conducted.
"Fourth, it needs comprehensive policies from the central and regional governments that can support the implementation of balanced nutrition," he stated.
Meanwhile, the fifth aspect is the involvement of professional organizations in supporting dissemination and education programs to the community.
"Through the active role of various parties, it is expected that efforts to improve the community's understanding and knowledge on balanced nutrition can run as expected," he stated.
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