Peer-reviewed article
Feeding Patterns Related to Nutritional Status in Stunted Toddlers
Deni Retno Sari, Murwati Murwati, Henik Istikhomah ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined the relationship between feeding patterns and nutritional status in 71 stunted toddlers in Indonesia. Most mothers (69%) used inappropriate feeding patterns, and over half the children were classified as short. The study found a significant statistical relationship between better feeding patterns and improved nutritional status in stunted children, suggesting that age-appropriate feeding is important for recovery.
Key points
- 69% of mothers used inappropriate feeding patterns for their stunted toddlers
- 56.3% of stunted toddlers remained classified as short
- A significant relationship was found between feeding patterns and nutritional status (p=0.004)
- Better feeding patterns were associated with better nutritional status
- Health education for mothers about age-appropriate feeding was recommended
Limitations
This was a cross-sectional observational study without a comparison group, so it cannot establish causality or determine whether improved feeding patterns would reverse stunting. The study does not describe what constitutes 'appropriate' versus 'inappropriate' feeding patterns in detail, limiting understanding of the specific interventions needed.
Abstract
Background: Stunting can occur as a result of malnutrition, especially during the first 1000 days of life (HPK). Poor nutrition during pregnancy, growth, and early childhood can cause children to become stunted. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between feeding patterns and nutritional status in stunted toddlers at the North Klaten Community Health Center in Klaten Regency. Methods: This study used an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The study population consisted of all mothers with stunted toddlers, totaling 234 people, using proportional stratified random sampling, resulting in a sample of 71 respondents. The research instruments used were the CFQ (Child Feeding Questionnaire) and anthropometric observation sheets. The validity and reliability of the instruments had been tested in previous studies. Data were analyzed univariately and bivariately using the chi-square test. Results: The results showed that most feeding patterns were inappropriate (69%) and the nutritional status of stunted toddlers was classified as short (56.3%). The chi-square test obtained a p-value of 0.004 (p<0.05), which means that there is a significant relationship between feeding patterns and the nutritional status of stunted toddlers. Conclusion: The study shows that the more appropriate the feeding patterns applied by mothers, the better the nutritional status of their children. Health workers need to improve education for mothers about the importance of feeding patterns appropriate for their children's age and involve nutritionists and posyandu cadres in monitoring toddler growth.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Age-appropriate feeding patterns implemented by mothers
- Population
- 71 stunted toddlers and their mothers at North Klaten Community Health Center, Klaten Regency, Indonesia
Key finding
69% of mothers had inappropriate feeding patterns