Combating Stunting in Children Under Five Years Old: A Narrative Review of Policies and Programs in Southeast Asia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutrition Science
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Child stunting remains a significant public health issue in Southeast Asia, hindering child development and national economic growth.
• Stunting, caused by inadequate nutrition and infections in the first 1,000 days, affects physical, cognitive, and long-term health.
• This perpetuates a cycle of malnutrition across generations, demanding urgent regional attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the prevalence of stunting in Southeast Asia.
• To examine existing policies and programs designed to reduce stunting rates.
• To synthesize current evidence, identify regional gaps, and guide targeted interventions.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review approach was employed.
• Synthesis of current evidence on stunting prevalence and interventions in Southeast Asia.
• Analysis of regional policies and programs for stunting reduction.

Main Results:

• Southeast Asian countries have implemented various nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions.
• Challenges persist, including socioeconomic disparities and the need for enhanced coordination and monitoring.
• Evidence synthesis highlights regional gaps in current stunting reduction strategies.

Conclusions:

• Continued efforts are needed to combat stunting in Southeast Asia.
• Strengthening policies and programs requires addressing socioeconomic factors and improving intervention oversight.
• This review serves as a practical reference for enhancing stunting reduction initiatives in the region.