Empowering Fisher Families in the Management of Stunted and Wasted Toddlers through Nutrition Education and Diarrhea Management in Bajo Indah Village
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction and Methods Malnutrition in children under five, particularly stunting and wasting, requires comprehensive management efforts that emphasize community self-reliance, especially among vulnerable groups such as fishing families. This community service program aimed to empower mothers of children under five from fishing families by enhancing their cognitive capacity and practical skills in managing nutritional problems and co-occurring infectious diseases in Bajo Indah Village, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. Involving 33 mother–child pairs, the program was conducted from July to October 2025 through anthropometric screening, group health education, interactive counseling, and practical demonstrations on preparing Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and processing local seafood-based dishes for children. Results Screening results confirmed a high burden of malnutrition, with 63.6% of the children experiencing stunting and 51.5% suffering from wasting. This condition was exacerbated by poor maternal nutritional status, in which 27.2% of the mothers suffered from Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED), predominantly among those with only primary education (60.0%). Through integrated empowerment efforts, maternal nutritional knowledge improved substantially. Post-test evaluations demonstrated an increase in the proportion of mothers in the 'Adequate' knowledge category from 30.3% to 75.7%. Conclusions and Practical Implications This program demonstrates that community empowerment through practical skill-building, ranging from early diarrhea management using ORS to creative seafood processing is crucial for maximizing the potential of local food resources among fishing families to accelerate the nutritional recovery of children under five. Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) This community service article contributes to the targets within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, specifically the indicators for achieving improved nutrition (Goal 2: Zero Hunger) and ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being (Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being).
Authors: Toruntju, Sultan Akbar, Gani, Kameriah
Language: English
Topic: Public Health and Nutrition
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7222002246