Considering the complexity of the causes of malnutrition in school-age children, comprehensive efforts are required to overcome them...Jakarta (ANTARA) - The implementation of the National Action Plan for Improving the Welfare of School-Age Children and Adolescents (RAN Pijar) is important for creating superior and quality human resources, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture has emphasized.
"RAN Pijar is expected to be used as a reference to improve the quality of welfare of school-age children and adolescents," deputy for the coordination of health quality improvement and population development at the ministry, Agus Suprapto, said at the “The Strategic Policy Dialogue on Nutrition for School-age Children” on Tuesday.
The national action plan is contained in the Regulation of the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Number 1 of 2022 concerning RAN Pijar, he informed.
"RAN Pijar was launched on April 19, 2022, supported by the commitments of a number of ministers and institution heads, with the aim of improving the nutritional and health condition of school-age children,” the deputy said.
The elementary school period is one of the crucial developmental stages of children, which needs to be optimized, including by implementing specific interventions to reduce stunting, he added.
According to Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2018, 23.6 percent of children aged 5–12 years suffered from stunting, 9.2 percent were malnourished, 10.8 percent were overweight, and 9.2 percent were obese.
"Considering the complexity of the causes of malnutrition in school-age children, comprehensive efforts are required to overcome them by involving various ministries/agencies as well as other stakeholders," Suprapto said.
One of the strategies for improving the condition of school-age children is carrying out interventions related to three child nutrition and health aspects.
"The three aspects are health education, health services, and supporting environment, which aim to encourage children’s healthier life habits," the deputy informed.
The intervention also aims to intensify education and dissemination of information on the importance of balanced nutrition and physical activities, he added.
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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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