Nutrition Interventions for Improving Nutritional Status of Toddlers in Cirebon Regency Indonesia

Abstract

Background: One of the highest nutritional problems in Indonesia is stunting.Cirebon Regency has a stunting prevalence of 25.6%. The prevalence of stunting above 20% is considered high according to the WHO.This study aims to analyze the differences in nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers of children under five before and after nutrition education interventions as well as to analyze nutrient intakes and nutritional status of toddlers before and after being given eggs and milk supplementation. Methods: Pre-experimental study, with one group pre and posttest design. Subjects were 58 toddlers. The intervention given to mothers of toddlers was nutrition education which was carried out in three meetings, and supplementary feeding in the form of eggs and milk for 90 days for toddlers.The data collected consisted of household socio-demographic, toddlers characteristics, nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice, nutrient intakes, nutritional status and hemoglobin levels. Conclusion: Nutrition education interventions increased the nutritional knowledge and practice of mothers with children under five, whiles upplementary feeding for 90 days increased nutrients intake for toddlers but did not improve their nutritional status and did not increase the hemoglobin levels.