ABSTRACT
Stunting is a failure to achieve optimal growth. Seluang fish (Rasbora spp.) contains a high amount of protein and calcium needed for bone growth. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence that seluang fish can be a source of nutrition to prevent stunting. The study was conducted on Rattus norvegicus that were divided into three treatment groups: C (control), P1 (rats fed with a low-protein and low-fat meal), and P2 (rats fed with a seluang formula). The treatments were given for 8 weeks. Then, the rats were dissected, and blood and bone samples were obtained to measure bone calcium concentration, bone length, and serum IGF-1 level. Statistical analysis was carried out with ANOVA followed by Tukey’s honestly significant difference test at the 95% confidence level. The analysis revealed that there were significant differences in bone length (2.92 vs 2.71 vs 2.94 cm, p < 0.01), bone calcium level (1.68 vs 0.84 vs 1.34 mg/g, p < 0.01), and serum IGF-1 level (70.37 vs 91.37 vs 112.97 pg/mL, p = 0.02) among the C, P1, and P2 groups. In conclusion, the study indicates that seluang fish has the potential to prevent stunting.
Keywords: stunting, IGF-1, bone calcium, seluang fish (Rasbora spp.)
