THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FEEDING PATTERNS IN TODDLERS WITH THE INCIDENCE OF STUNTING

Abstract

tunting is a form of malnutrition which is characterized by an indicator of height according to age. The TB/U indicator provides an indication of chronic nutritional problems as a result of long-standing conditions. The right diet plays an important role in the growth process in toddlers. Intake of nutrients from daily food in less amounts can result in growth delay. This study aims to determine the relationship between feeding patterns and the incidence of stunting in toddlers in the Jatinunggal Health Center Working Area in 2022. This research method is quantitative and the research design uses Cross Sectional. The population in this study were 312 stunting toddlers and the sample in this study was 76 respondents who were taken by purposive sampling technique.The dependent variable in this study is stunting. This research was conducted on a group of mothers who had stunted and non-stunted toddlers. Data was collected using a standardized questionnaire, namely the Child Feeding Questionnaire by (Camci, Bas and Buyukkaragoz, 2014) and toddlers were measured for height using a microtoise and converted into a standardized value (z-score). The data analysis technique used was univariate analysis and bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test to determine the relationship between the variables studied. This study shows that there is a relationship between inappropriate feeding patterns in toddlers and the incidence of stunting with a significant value of P value = 0.00 and most of the toddlers are stunted in the short category. The results of this study are expected to provide useful information and it is necessary to re-educate health regarding the eating schedule so that mothers can adjust their eating patterns according to a predetermined time and can reduce stunting rates.