THE RELATIONSHIP OF FEEDING PATTERNS TO THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF TODDLERS IN THE WORKING AREA OF THE PUSKESMAS

THE RELATIONSHIP OF FEEDING PATTERNS TO THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF TODDLERS

Abstract

The pattern of feeding toddlers is one of the efforts and opportunities made by mothers in providing food to toddlers with the aim of ensuring the nutritional needs of toddlers are met, both in quantity and nutritional value. Nutrition is a very important part of growth. Nutrition is closely related to health and intelligence. If a toddler's diet is not achieved properly, the toddler's growth will be hampered, the toddler will become thin, short and may even experience malnutrition. The aim of the research is to analyze the relationship between feeding patterns and nutritional status in toddlers. This research uses descriptive research with a cross-sectional approach. The population in this study were all mothers who had children under five in the Johan Pahlawan health center working area. Sampling used a stratified random sampling technique consisting of 103 samples. Data analysis used univariate and bivariate with Chi Square correlation. Based on the results of this research, the P-value = 0.000 (p<0.05) so it can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between feeding patterns and the nutritional status of toddlers in the Johan Pahlawan Health Center working area, West Aceh Regency. Based on the results of this research, it is recommended that mothers or parents pay more attention to meeting the nutritional needs of children under five by determining the type of food, quantity of food and food schedule according to the child's needs according to their age.