ASALAH GAGAL-TUMBUH PADA ANAK BALITA MASIH TINGGI: ADAKAH YANG “KURANG” DALAM KEBIJAKAN PROGRAM GIZI DI INDONESIA?

WHAT’S WRONG WITH NUTRITION PROGRAM POLICY? WHY GROWTH FALTERING AMONG UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN REMAINS HIGH? The indicator of nutritional status used in the large scale survey is weight-for-age (W/A) or underweight indicator. The question is why the prevalence of underweight among children underfives is still high, while the prevalence of overweight tends to increase? This analysis is carried out to find out what is the hidden characteristic of growth faltering among Indonesian children below 5 years of age. The analysis used anthropometry data from different sources that collecting both length or height and weight dataThe anthropometry data is converted into standardized values (z_score) using WHO-2006 child growth standard. The prevalence of underweight (W/A), stunting based on length of height-for-age (H/A) and wasting based on weight-for-length or height (W/H) were calculated based on cut-off points suggested by the WHO child growth standard. Crosstabulation between any pair of two indicators was made to understand the characteristics of growth faltering.The obvious problem in growth faltering among Indonesian under-five children is stunting. The prevalence of stunting is the highest among the prevalence of underweight and wasting. In general it was found that about 85 percent underweight children were also stunted, and around 80 percent underweight children were having normal weight-for-height (not wasted). From the results of the analysis It is clear that most of the underweight children were stunted and most of the underweight children had normal weight-for-height. The problem of underweight is strongly related with the problem of stunting. Efforts to reduce the prevalence of underweight should also take into account the efforts to reduce problem of stunting. Using weight-for-age (W/A) alone as the basis of nutrition intervention is not enough, therefore, measuring length or height is strongly recommended to understand clearly the characteristics of growth problems among under-five children. KEYWORDS: anthropometry, underweight, stunting, wastin