Provide Solutions to Overcome Stunting, KKNT Innovation IPB University Students Create High Protein Wader Fish Botok
Stunting is a problem still faced in Tonggara Village, Kedungbanteng District, Tegal Regency, Central Java. The direct causes of stunting are lack of food consumption and health status (disease).
Therefore, IPB University’s Innovation Thematic Real Work Lecture (KKNT) students organized the Wader Fish Botok MPASI Cooking Class with mothers who are active in posyandu activities and family welfare empowerment groups (PKK) in Tonggara Village.
“Studies state that breastfeeding alone in infants aged six months and over is not enough to meet the needs, so it is necessary to provide complementary foods (MPASI) as a way to prevent stunting,” said Arzu Namora Hanum Wardani, KKNT Innovation student.
Furthermore, she explained, complete complementary food consists of staple foods, side dishes, vegetables, and fruits. Therefore, she and the KKNT Inovasi team developed a complementary food product in the form of wader fish botok.
“With rice as a source of carbohydrates, wader fish as animal protein, red beans as vegetable protein, and carrots and spinach used as vegetables,” she explained.
She explained that wader fish botok is a complementary food product formulated to prevent stunting in babies under two years old. It is high in protein, iron and calcium, which are important for children’s growth and development.
Botok is a traditional food consisting of fish mixed with seasoned grated young coconut, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
Wader fish is one of the local foods that is easily available in Tegal Regency, specifically in the Cacaban Reservoir. This fish also has a relatively affordable price among the community.
“The wader fish botok cooking class began with the provision of leaflets containing information on the general introduction of wader fish botok complementary food products for under-five children. Then followed by direct practice of the processing method,” said Arzu.
According to her, this activity not only aims to educate, but also to inspire mothers to be more creative and innovative in serving healthy and nutritious food to children. This activity can also optimize locally available food to be used as complementary food to meet the nutritional needs of infants.
“This cooking class activity is also expected to be an inspiring example as one of the joint efforts in overcoming and preventing stunting in children, especially in Tonggara Village,” she said. (*/Rz) (IAAS/PRO)
