Can Moringa Help Prevent Stunting in Children? Latest Studies from Indonesia

Introduction

Stunting—defined as impaired growth and development from chronic malnutrition—is a serious public health issue in Indonesia, with rates around 21–22% among children under five. Emerging research is exploring low-cost, nutrient-rich interventions—like moringa leaf-based foods—to reduce stunting risk.

Here’s what recent studies have found.

1. Moringa Leaf Pudding Reduces Stunting in Bekasi (2023)

A quasi‑experimental study involving 33 preschool children in West Cikarang found that regular consumption of Moringa leaf pudding significantly increased height and weight over a short period. At baseline, 12.1% were stunted; after the intervention, only 6.1% remained stunted. Children showed statistically significant growth improvements (p < 0.001), although body mass index (BMI) changes were not significant (p = 0.310) jurnalkesehatan.unisla.ac.id+2ejournal.poltekharber.ac.id+2Midwifery Journal+2.

Implication: A locally made moringa dessert can reduce stunting prevalence in young children when incorporated into daily meals.

2. Moringa Extract for Pregnant Women Cuts Future Stunting Risk

A randomized, double-blind follow-up study in Jeneponto district tracked 303 children aged 5–6 years whose mothers received moringa supplements during pregnancy. Those whose mothers took moringa extract had just 24.2% stunting, compared to 38.7% in the standard iron‑folate supplement group. The extract group had a 2.2× lower risk of stunting than those on traditional IRF supplements jchr.org.

Implication: Maternal nutrition with moringa extract may offer longer-term protection against stunting in early childhood.

3. Moringa Leaf Soup Boosts Breast Milk Production Among Mothers with Stunted Toddlers

A study in rural Batang-Batang (toddler age 0–2) assessed whether Moringa leaf vegetable soup improved breast milk production. In the intervention group, adequacy of milk production rose from 57% to 76%, with significant differences (p = 0.000) compared to controls PubMed+1African Journals Online+1.

Implication: Enhanced milk supply indirectly supports toddler growth and reduces stunting risk.

4. Moringa Snacks and Local Food Innovations in Community Programs

• In Sidoarjo and Semarang regions, community-led programs created moringa leaf cookies, churros, and snack bars aimed at improving nutrition in stunted toddlers. One saw significant height increases (p = 0.022) among participants using moringa-flour churros Astra Agro+10ijccd.umsida.ac.id+10jurnalkesehatan.unisla.ac.id+10.

• In Palu City, nutritious innovations like moringa chicken-tofu balls were introduced in local diet training. Results showed increased community knowledge and food preparation skills—though uptake remained limited by awareness levels ejournal-kertacendekia.id.

Implication: Morinaga-enriched local snacks can be effective educational & nutritional tools in community interventions.

5. Randomized Trial in Gresik Shows Moringa Extract Improves Growth Markers

A controlled trial in Kebomas sub-district involving 40 children aged 23–59 months compared moringa extract supplementation with standard nutrition. After six months, children in the moringa group showed significantly improved height-for-age Z‑scores (HAZ), better appetite, improved hemoglobin levels, and higher overall nutritional status (p < 0.05) Midwifery Journal.

Implication: Regular moringa extract intake may offer measurable gains in child growth outcomes.

Summary of Findings

• Moringa-based interventions (pudding, soup, extract, snacks) show consistent benefits in supporting growth and reducing stunting risk.

• Effects include improved height, weight, milk supply, appetite, hemoglobin, and nutritional indicators.

• Community programs embedding moringa in daily snacks can boost both knowledge and nutritional status.

• Maternal supplementation shows longer-term preventive effects on child stunting.

What It Means for You

If you’re sourcing moringa leaf powder or extract for nutrition programs, wellness brands, or food fortification initiatives, these findings illustrate:

• Effectiveness: Real-world, measurable impact on stunting reduction

• Local credibility: Proven within Indonesian contexts

• Versatility: Works as drinks, snacks, soups, or supplements

At Tombak Moringa Organik, we offer ready-to-use moringa leaf powder (200 or 500 mesh) and standardized extracts, with traceability and organic/halal certification—ideal for ingredient-level health interventions.

References

1. Sujadalillah & Karo. Effectiveness of consuming Moringa leaf pudding to prevent stunting among children at PAUD Adelwais in West Cikarang (2023) reddit.com+12ejournal.poltekharber.ac.id+12jurnalkesehatan.unisla.ac.id+12Midwifery JournalIJSRM+9ung.ac.id+9Universitas Gadjah Mada+9reddit.com

2. Nur Hikmah et al. Effect of Moringa supplementation during pregnancy on stunting in 5–6-year-olds (2024) jchr.org

3. African Journal of Reproductive Health. Moringa leaf soup improves breast milk production in mothers of stunted toddlers (2024) IJSRM+2PubMed+2African Journals Online+2

4. Yansah et al. Moringa leaf cookies prevent stunting in Sawocangkring Village (2024) ijccd.umsida.ac.id

5. IJSRM. Moringa churros improve height in stunted toddlers (2023) IJSRM

6. Syahrir et al. Moringa food innovations reducing stunting in Palu City (2024) ejournal-kertacendekia.id

7. Budiono & Has. Moringa extract trial in Gresik improves HAZ in toddlers (2025) ejournal-kertacendekia.id+9Midwifery Journal+9IJSRM+9