NUTRITION EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH STUNTED TODDLERS THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASEDMIDWIFERY CARE IN SENDANGREJO VILLAGE,GROBOGAN REGENCY

Abstract

Background: In many parts of Indonesia, toddlers still grow up shorter than they should because of prolonged nutritional deficits, a condition known as stunting. National figures stood at 21.5% in 2023, Grobogan Regency recorded 20.2% the same year,, and by June 2026 eight toddlers in Sendangrejo Village alone had been identified as stunted. A parent's education level, household income, and a father's smoking habit are among the circumstances repeatedly linked to the problem. Purpose: This community service activity aimed to provide midwifery-based community education and nutritional accompaniment for a family with a stunted toddler, and to describe the outcome of the intervention. Method: A descriptive case-study approach was used, applying the midwifery care management process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation). Interventions included nutrition education, local-food supplementary feeding (PMT), growth monitoring every three days, and health education on the danger of household cigarette-smoke exposure. Results: After the intervention, the family's understanding of stunting improved, the child's appetite and animal-protein intake increased, body weight began to rise, and the father participated cooperatively in smoking-cessation education. Conclusion: Family-centered midwifery education and nutritional accompaniment can improve family knowledge and support early nutritional recovery in a stunted toddler; sustained family involvement and cross-sector support (posyandu, health workers, and family) are essential for stunting prevention