MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — Stunting prevention requires the collaboration of multi sectors and all elements. Indeed, the active participation of both mother and father to prevent it is urgent.
Chair of the Muhammadiyah Council for Health of ‘Aisyiyah, Warsiti, said that improving nutritional intake in children involves many factors such as economy, society, culture, education, and information.
Warsiti, also the Rector of Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Yogyakarta, mentioned that many people think that stunting is not a big deal but a process of child growth.
Stunting will affect children’s brain development and future. Besides, stunting and culture are closely related. Parenting and domestic roles are the responsibility of mothers.
“We often find that taking care of children is the duty of mothers instead of fathers. When we asked fathers whether or not they need parenting training, they answered it’s not necessary because mothers are the ones responsible for taking care of children,” said Warsiti.
According to Warsiti, fathers are vital for good parenting and adequate nutrition. Thus, promoting that parenting is the role of both mothers and fathers is essential.
Indeed, many cultures in Indonesia hinder mothers from achieving good health and welfare due to gender equality. Low health quality of mothers will become a risk of stunting in children.
Furthermore, the low success level of exclusive breastfeeding and the high rate of child marriage in Indonesia are risk factors for stunting influenced by culture.
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