PEMANFAATAN DAUN KELOR SEBAGAI COOKIES SEHAT PENINGKAT GIZI DALAM PENCEGAHAN STUNTING

Abstract

The prevalence of stunting in Indonesia remains high, necessitating prevention efforts through the improvement of nutritional status among children under five. Nutritional improvement can be achieved by providing foods with high nutritional value, such as moringa; this plant is recognized as both economical and highly nutritious. However, the utilization of moringa within the community remains very limited. Consequently, this community service program chose to produce a variety of moringa-leaf-based cookies to appeal to children under five affected by stunting. The activity comprised preparation and implementation phases. The implementation phase included an educational session on the benefits of moringa and its potential in food products, followed by hands-on training and demonstrations on making moringa-leaf cookies (such as *bhoi*—a traditional sponge cake—infused with moringa). The event took place at the Jambo Mesjid Village Hall in Blang Mangat District, Lhokseumawe City, with participants including mothers of stunted children, health volunteers, and local residents. Results from the program indicated that, on average, 80% of the attending mothers gained new knowledge regarding moringa leaves; furthermore, participants showed great enthusiasm, evidenced by the fact that no one left the venue while the activity was in progress. This training is expected to enhance community knowledge and awareness regarding the availability of local raw materials that can be utilized to create supplementary food products beneficial for children's health, particularly for those suffering from stunting.