TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Stunting is caused by a combination of poor bone growth and brain development in the fetus. Pregnant women are advised to consume fish at least 150 grams a day, four times a week to prevent children from being born suffering from stunting. Professor of Nutrition Science from the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Prof. Hardinsyah said that consuming fish in sufficient quantities could help prevent stunting.

"Dozens of studies had proved it, 150 grams of fish a day to pregnant women at least four times a week," said Prof. Hardinsyah who is also the general chairman of the Food and Nutrition Society of Indonesia.

One example is sardines, a food source rich in nutrients. Hardinsyah said that sardines contain a high protein, minerals, and calcium, which help shape bones in the fetus. The amino acids that the body needs can be fulfilled by consuming protein. This amino acid is useful for producing collagen which can help the process of forming cartilage in the fetus.

"The formation of cartilage, which used to be fragile, can become bone. Children are born, then after one year they can stand, walk, kick, and so on. The secret is collagen, along with various minerals," Hardinsyah explained.

The bones of sardines are edible and contain various minerals that cooperate with other nutrients to prevent stunting. The content of minerals stored in sardines includes calcium, which not only prevents stunting in the fetus but is also beneficial for the heart condition of pregnant women.

In addition to being beneficial for bone development, which is no less important, sardines also have a positive impact on the growth of the brain's nerves in the fetus. Some of the benefits of the nutrients in sardines are also useful for human health, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, DHA fatty acids, and vitamins D, B3, and B12.

"Omega-3 is a good fat that allows making the blood thinner. If the blood is thicker, it's dangerous, especially with cholesterol and blockages [in the heart], and it could shorten the age of a person," said Hardinsyah. "Vitamin B12 can also prevent coronary heart disease, plus has its importance to prevent anaemia."

How to prepare the right way

To maintain the integrity of good nutrition, Hardinsyah reminded the importance of applying proper methods of preparation. If fish is prepared by frying, avoid oil temperatures above 140 degrees Celsius and do not use waste cooking oil.

"The tips is not to fry or heat the cooking oil until the smoke comes out, that means the temperature is above 140 to 180 degrees," Hardinsyah said.

The awareness of the importance of consuming fish is still low among Indonesian people. Even though the price can be said to be more economical than edible protein from other animals. One of the reasons is partly due to the knowledge about the benefits of fish is still less in society. In addition, factors on taste are also influential.

"Our country is extraordinary from west to east. We were once told to be the children of mariners, thus, have the habit of eating fish. That habits of our ancestors need to be passed down continuously," said Hardinsyah.

ANTARA l IMAJI LASAHIDO

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