Nutrition Education and The Role of The School Health Unit (UKS) in Preventing Stunting at Muhammadiyah Al Mujahidin Junior High School in Gunung Kidul - Indonesia

Abstract

Stunting is a problem that threatens the future of a nation. Currently, the trend shows a 20% decline in stunting prevalence from 2010 to 2025. The impacts of stunting include reduced cognitive function and impaired physical growth, which can lead to poor health and, in turn, a decline in the quality of human resources in the future as these children grow into adults. One approach to addressing stunting is through nutrition education involving the School Health Unit (UKS). This School Health Unit (UKS)-based Community Service Program (PKM) aims to provide students with nutritional knowledge regarding stunting prevention. The guidance for this activity must be systematically organized using several methods. The implementation of the activity is designed in several steps: preparation, implementation, guidance, and evaluation. The preparation phase includes obtaining permits and coordinating with the partner, namely SMP Muhammadiyah Al Mujahidin Gunung Kidul, during the first month, specifically on Saturday, June 25, 2022. The partner’s involvement consists of providing the venue and coordinating with teachers from the Muhammadiyah Al Mujahidin Junior High School in Gunung Kidul. The implementation phase includes outreach and education sessions to foster awareness of nutritional health in daily life during the second and third months, specifically on Saturday, July 23, and Saturday, August 27, 2022. The mentoring phase involves assisting in the development of educational materials on nutrition and stunting—covering content, methods, media, and evaluation—as well as practical exercises in developing these materials during the fourth and fifth months, specifically on Saturday, September 24, and October 29, 2022. The fourth phase, consisting of evaluation and the preparation of an activity report, took place in the sixth month, on November 26, 2022. The approach used in implementing the activities was a participatory approach, involving active engagement by teachers at the school.