Nutritional status of children at Kaima village, North Minahasa Regency, Indonesia Available to Purchase

Nutritional problems still occur in Indonesia especially amongst children. A report in 2017, on the nutritional status of children in North Sulawesi, Indonesia found that there were 15,3% underweight, 31,4% stunting, 12,2% underweight and 9,9% obese meaning that there is a coexisting problem of overnutrition (obese) and undernutrition (stunting and underweight). A region in North Sulawesi province; North Minahasa in recent years has been under the spotlight for the surprisingly high reports on children with stunting. In one of the villages in North Minahasa; Kaima, stunting has been reported to be an ongoing problem. Other nutritional problems that occur in children include undernourishment, short stature, and overweight. A comprehensive approach needs to be addressed to overcome these problems that involve all parties including parents, teachers, the government and also health providers. This study aims to evaluate the nutritional status among children in Kaima village. Respondents were recruited from Sunday School in GMIM Kaima. The weights and heights were measured using a standard weight scale and stadiometer. Nutritional statuses were obtained by charting the data collected in the CDC growth chart for children according to their gender and age group. This study included 99 children, 52 females with an average age of 8.1 ± 2.2-year-old and 47 males, with an average age of 7.6 ± 2.6-year-old. Based on the CDC growth chart, overweight and obese children account for 15 and 7 children respectively. Mild stunting was found in 19 children with short stature when measured by their height for age. In conclusion, the nutritional problems such as short stature, underweight, overweight and obese continue to exist in this population. To overcome these nutritional problems all parties concerned must continue to work together and collaborate in a community-based manner.