JAKARTA – Chairman of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) Dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso said the problem that could distinguish children growing up healthy from children suffering from stunting lies in the protein foods they eat.
“There is a difference intake “From energy and protein to stunted and non-stunting children, we can actually see here that the total calorie intake is not much different, the calories are the same but the difference is the protein consumption,” said Piprim in the webinar to Prevent Premature Births in an Effort Reducing Stunting which was followed in Jakarta, Saturday (27/11).
Piprim said that for children who suffer from stunting, protein consumption is much lower than children who grow up healthy in general, even though the number of calories they get is almost the same.
The low consumption of protein foods will then be related to the low circulation of essential amino acids possessed by a child’s body. Low levels of these essential amino acids can cause children’s growth to be disrupted.
“This essential amino acid is essential for the activation of mTORC1. mTORC1 is one, the master or regulator of growth in children that will make the growth of the cartilage plate, muscle growth, skeleton,” he said.
mTORC1 that also affects the growth of nerves, intestines, metabolism to immune function and the size of body organs. If it works well, it will help the body synthesize proteins and fats.
To help activate mTORC1 in children to the maximum, he suggested starting to provide nutritional intake through local foods that are not just local to anticipate children born in a state of stunting such as eggs and fish.
According to Piprim, by giving fish to children six times can help prevent stunting in children compared to giving children fast food that is filling but lacks nutrition and causes obesity (overweight).
“We want to activate mTORC1 so that linear growth and other growth in children run well. So don’t forget that this anti-stunting local food is animal protein,” he said. (between/jay)
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