Determinants of Feeding Patterns with Stunting in Children in the Coastal Area of Bengkulu City

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The age of 0–2 years is a golden period for human growth and development known as the “golden age,” characterized by rapid growth. This period is the First 1000 Days of Life (HPK). The proper diet greatly affects the nutritional status of children. AIM: The purpose of the study was to determine child feeding patterns with the incidence of stunting in children in the Coastal area of Bengkulu City. METHODS: This study was an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design. The research sample was children under five aged 6–24 months in the coastal area of Bengkulu City as many as 75 children were selected using the accidental sampling technique. Children’s nutritional intake using the Semi Food Frequency questionnaire for energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. Nutritional intake data were processed by nutrisurvey. Data analysis with Chi-square test and the level of significant 0.05. RESULTS: The frequency of food consumed by children 6–24 months in the form of mashed food 2 times a day was 54.2%, soft food 3 times a day was 54.5%, and family food 3 times a day was 82.5%. The percentage of children with energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake below the recommendation was much higher in normal children (in sequence 84.6%, 81.8%, 84.9%, and 86.3%) compare to stunted children (in sequence 15.4%, 18.2%, 15.1%, and 13.7%). Likewise, calcium, fe, zinc, and phosphor intake below the recommendation was much higher in normal children (in sequence 82%, 85.5%, 80.6%, and 82.1%) compare to stunted children (in sequence 18%, 14.5%, 19.4%, and 17.9%). CONCLUSIONS: There was no relationship between the type of food, macronutrient and micronutrient intake with stunting. Education and counseling at Integrated Healthcare Center need to be carried out, regarding the importance of consuming the proper food and the proper frequency of eating, surveys of nutritional consumption and routine health checks for pregnant women and children under five.

Food consumption, culture, and living environment's impact on stunting cases: A systematic review

“…Children whose mothers are highly educated are less likely to experience stunting, compared to those with less educated mothers (Argaw et al, 2019). The willingness of mothers to bring their children to medical facilities and receive helpful health information, and the involvement of nutritionists at the Community Health Center, who routinely visit mothers' homes with undernourished toddlers, are two factors that can affect the quality of child growth (Suryani et al, 2022). Mothers with higher levels of education are directly proportional to having sufficient knowledge to fulfill their toddlers' nutritional needs.…”

“…Mothers with higher levels of education are directly proportional to having sufficient knowledge to fulfill their toddlers' nutritional needs. Mother's education is related to the nutritional status of toddlers, exerting a significant impact on the overall nutritional intake of the family (Suryani et al, 2018(Suryani et al, , 2022.…”