The Role of BPK in Strengthening Government Efforts to Prevent Stunting in Early Childhood for the Advancement of Human Capital

Abstract Children with a healthy body and mind can be considered a valuable investment in achieving sustainable national development through their future productivity. Higher levels of citizen productivity increase the likelihood of a country achieving sustainable development. Therefore, the government has committed to enhancing the quality of Indonesian citizens to become competitive and competent human capital. However, this commitment faces several challenges, with the increasing prevalence of stunting—from 35.6% in 2010 to 37.2% in 2013—identified as one of the most critical issues. Various studies indicate that stunted toddlers have, on average, an IQ that is 11% lower than that of healthy children, are at greater risk of obesity and degenerative diseases, and are more likely to experience delays in completing their education. These conditions may significantly reduce their productivity as adults in the future. This study aims to provide a clear overview and analyze the role of BPK in supporting the government's efforts to prevent and address the issue of stunting. The method employed in this study is a qualitative approach that incorporates normative legal review and analysis of previous studies. The findings indicate that BPK plays a significant role in overseeing the government’s efforts to prevent and manage stunting as part of the broader goal of developing excellent human capital. This role is realized through the auditing of government programs related to stunting prevention and treatment. Keywords: stunting, sustainable development, BPK’s role