Abstract:

Introduction: Early childhood is often called the golden age that is an active individual with rapid growth and development so the nutritional needs must be met and balanced. Every parent would want a balance between physical growth and optimal mental development in their child. In reality, there are still some cases of under-nutrition, stunting, and wasting in some areas of Bali Province. This is certainly a challenge for governments, especially health providers to reduce and prevent that situation because the lack of nutrients that occur in this golden period is irreversible. The less nutritional status will decrease the cognitive abilities development, the child easily sick and low competitiveness. This study aims to know the description of the nutritional status and the incidence of stunting children in early childhood in Bali Province. Method: This research was observational with cross-sectional design, involving 53 children in early childhood programs which are scattered in several regencies in Bali Province such as Bangli, Gianyar, Singaraja, and Denpasar. The nutritional status of children was assessed by comparing body weight with age, whereas stunting incidence was evaluated by comparing height with age using an anthropometric standard of child nutritional status assessment based on Minister of Health Decree No. 1995/MENKES/SK/XII/2010. Result: This research showed that 35.85% sample were underweight, 60.38% well nourished, and 3.77% overweight. The data after Height/Age measurement has shown that 9.43% sample were short, 73.58% normal, and 16.98% tall.  Conclusion: This study has concluded most of the sample were well nourished (60.38%), nevertheless there was still underweight and overweight sample. According to the Height/Age index can be concluded that most of the sample was normal 73.8%. Also, some of the samples were short and tall. 

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