The Relationship of Early Complementary Feeding (CF) with Nutritional Status to Children Aged 6-24 Months towards Family Farmers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Complementary feeding (CF) practices have an essential role in determining the nutritional status of children. Children who are given early complementary feeding (ECF) are at risk of malnutrition. Besides, children with family farmers tend to have wasting or overweight because they cannot provide food in a variety, quantity, and quality according to the nutritional needs of their children. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship of ECF with nutritional status in children 6-24 months towards family farmers. Methods: This correlational study was conducted using a cross-sectional approach. Samples were 75 children aged 6-24 months selected using purposive sampling. This research was conducted at Geger Health Center Bangkalan Regency. Data collection was done by giving questionnaires to children parents. Children's weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) were calculated using WHO Anthro version application 3.2.2. The chi-square test analyzed the association between CF and nutritional status. Result: The results of the study showed that the nutritional status of 75 children was normal (72%), overweight (25.3%), and wasted (2.7%). Most mothers have been given ECF since infants aged two months (29.3%) and 0 months (13%), which caused 36.4% of children to become overweight. Bivariate analysis showed a significant relationship between CF with nutritional status to children aged 6-24 months towards family farmers (p-value=0.033). Discussion: ECF caused children aged 6-24 months to become overweight. Therefore, it is hoped that health workers will always give health education to increase mothers' knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding to support the nutritional status of children aged 6-24 months towards family farmers. Keywords: Children, Early Complementary Feeding, Farmers, Nutritional Status