It should be noted, quoted from Kemenkopmk.go.id, based on data from UNICEF and WHO, the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia ranks 27th out of 154 countries with stunting data. This makes Indonesia ranked 5th among countries in Asia. Apparently, there are still those who mistakenly assume that stunting is malnutrition, even though these two things are different. So as not to misunderstand, let's find out the differences.

The following 'Bahasa' text translated to 'English' while preserving any html tags: "Chronic malnutrition in mothers and children since conception causes children to have a shorter body stature compared to their peers. Meanwhile, malnutrition is a condition where the weight according to the length or height of the child (weight/height) is lower than the normal range for their age. In severe wasting conditions, the child's physique will appear thin because the weight is not proportional to the height."

Meanwhile, malnutrition can occur when a child does not obtain sufficient nutritional intake from their food consumption, regardless of their age. This condition can also occur due to certain infectious diseases that can affect appetite or the body's ability to absorb nutrients, such as chronic diarrhea, hepatitis, and others.

The symptoms usually start to appear when the child is 2 years old. Meanwhile, malnutrition can cause a wider range of symptoms, but the main one is that the child appears very thin. When mapped on the child's growth curve, the weight according to the length or height is lower compared to children of the same age, or the upper arm circumference (LiLA) tends to be small.

In the case of stunting that does not receive immediate treatment, it can cause children to experience failure to grow. Stunting is largely irreversible or permanent, where children cannot regain normal height.

In addition, children who experience stunting are also more vulnerable to diseases, miss out on learning opportunities, have poor school performance, and grow up to become economically disadvantaged individuals. On the other hand, if not promptly addressed properly, malnutrition poses a risk of causing growth and developmental disorders, cognitive dysfunction, severe dehydration, hypothermia, anemia, severe infection, and even death (in more severe cases).

Need to be known, children who suffer from severe wasting (chronic malnutrition, very thin) are at 3 times higher risk of experiencing stunting. Meanwhile, stunted children are at 1.5 times higher risk of experiencing severe wasting compared to children with good nutrition. The risk of death will increase if children experience both of these nutritional problems (severe wasting and stunting) simultaneously. Source: Siloamhospitals.com