Differences In Energy Intake, Macronutrient Intake, Feeding Practices, And Maternal Nutritional Knowledge Between Underweight And Normal Toddlers Aged 2-5 Years In Bulak Banteng Village, Kenjeran District, Surabaya City
There were differences in energy intake, macronutrient intake, feeding practices, and maternal nutrition knowledge between underweight and normal-weight toddlers aged 2–5 years in Bulak Banteng Village, Kenjeran District, Surabaya City.
Abstract
Toddlers are a population group undergoing rapid growth and development, requiring adequate and balanced nutritional intake. Nutritional problems such as underweight remain a concern because they may potentially affect physical growth, cognitive development, and children's health in the future. This study aimed to determine whether there were differences in energy intake, macronutrient intake, feeding practices, and maternal nutrition knowledge between underweight and normal-weight toddlers aged 2–5 years in Bulak Banteng Village, Kenjeran District, Surabaya City.This study employed a quantitative method with a case-control approach. The sample consisted of 62 respondents, including 31 cases and 31 controls. Data were collected using a 24-Hour Food Recall questionnaire, the Child Feeding Questionnaire, and a nutrition knowledge test. The analysis results showed significant differences in energy intake (p=0.000), carbohydrate intake (p=0.000), protein intake (p=0.000), fat intake (p=0.000), feeding practices (p=0.000), and maternal nutrition knowledge (p=0.008) between underweight and normal-weight toddlers. The study concluded that there were differences in energy intake, macronutrient intake, feeding practices, and maternal nutrition knowledge between underweight and normal-weight toddlers aged 2–5 years in Bulak Banteng Village, Kenjeran District, Surabaya City. Therefore, community health centers and mothers of toddlers are expected to pay greater attention to adequate nutritional intake, appropriate feeding practices, and nutrition education to prevent underweight among toddlers.
Background/Objectives: Undernutrition remains a public health concern among preschool children in Malaysia. Although oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) globally has been recommended to improve nutritional status, evidence from community-based randomised controlled trials among underweight Malaysian preschool children remains limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness of ONS on growth, dietary intake, appetite, and common illnesses among underweight preschool children in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Methods: A multi-centre, community-based, cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted among underweight preschool children aged 4–6 years from 16 government-subsidised preschools. Participants were assigned to receive ONS plus nutrition education (ONS + NE) or nutrition education alone (NE only) for 90 days. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, appetite, attainment of catch-up growth, and parent-reported common illnesses were assessed. Between-group differences were analysed using analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline values. Results: Ninety-six underweight preschool children were randomised to ONS plus nutrition education (ONS + NE, n = 56) or nutrition education alone (NE only, n = 40). Compared with the NE group, children receiving ONS + NE demonstrated significantly greater improvements in weight-for-age z-scores at day 60 and day 90 (p < 0.05). The ONS + NE group also achieved significantly higher catch-up growth attainment at day 60 (116.6 ± 38.5% vs. 99.1 ± 17.4%; p = 0.029) and day 90 (114.6 ± 37.2% vs. 95.5 ± 23.8%; p = 0.021). In addition, significantly higher energy, macronutrients, selected micronutrient intakes, and appetite scores were observed in the ONS + NE group (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: ONS combined with nutrition education improved weight-related growth, dietary adequacy, catch-up growth energy achievement, and appetite among underweight preschool children. ONS may serve as an effective community-based strategy for nutritional rehabilitation in this population. Trial registration: ISRCTN15093638.
Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid, N. H. Hamzaid, Haslina Binti Abdul Hamid et al.· Nutrients· 0 citations
There are still limited studies assessing nutrient intake, especially micronutrients, among stunted children under five. Indonesia also does not yet have official indicators to evaluate diet quality in young children. This study aimed to analyze the differences in diet quality, macro-and micronutrient adequacy, and estimated bioavailability of zinc and iron in stunted and normal toddlers. Using a comparative cross-sectional design, the study was conducted at Purwasari and Kampung Manggis Community Health Centers from August 1 to 26, 2025, involving 60 stunted and 60 normal children. Diet quality was assessed using an Indonesian-adapted Healthy Eating Index (HEI 2–5 years). The results showed significant differences between stunted and normal toddlers in maternal education (p=0.001), paternal education (p=0.043), paternal occupation (p=0.045), parity (p=0.028), per capita income (p=0.006), birth weight (p=0.003), and history of infectious diseases (p=0.019). Diet quality components that differed significantly included vegetables and green vegetables (p=0.031), fruits and fruit juices (p=0.009), and dietary diversity (p=0.003), with normal toddlers demonstrating higher scores. Normal toddlers also had significantly higher adequacy of macronutrients and micronutrients (p<0.05). Estimated iron and zinc absorption were significantly lower among stunted toddlers (iron p=0.019; zinc p=0.010), although overall iron and zinc bioavailability categories did not differ significantly between groups. Stunting among Indonesian toddlers is associated with unfavorable socioeconomic conditions, lower birth weight, history of infectious diseases, needs improvement diet quality, and reduced estimated micronutrient absorption. Interventions should prioritize improving dietary quality, increasing vitamin C intake to enhance iron absorption, and limiting dietary inhibitors such as tea, alongside broader strategies addressing household socioeconomic factors and child health.
Rahmauldianti Safitri, C. M. Dwiriani, D. Briawan· Journal of Health and Nutrit...· 0 citations
Maternal nutrition is an important factor in the health of lactating women and their children. Due to increased energy and nutrient needs during lactation, women in middle- and low-income nations are more nutritionally vulnerable than other women of reproductive age. Inadequate energy and macronutrient intake can also contribute to stunting, muscle wasting, edema, loss of bone density, anemia, and increased susceptibility to infections and nutritional deficiencies in women and babies. Some previous studies reported only the descriptive results of energy and macronutrient intake. But the current study assessed both the prevalence and associated factors. Therefore, this study aimed to assess energy and macronutrient intake inadequacy and its associated factors among lactating women in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia. A study was conducted in Bahir Dar city from February 27 to March 21, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 318 respondents. Data were collected by interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaires after the pilot survey had been completed. A single 24-hour multi-step dietary recall was used to collect the respondent’s dietary data. Data entry and analysis were performed using EpiData version 3.1 and SPSS version 24, respectively. Energy and macronutrient intake values were calculated from the ESHA Food Processor and the Ethiopian and World Food Composition Tables. The macronutrient intake was evaluated by the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR). Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to declare the significant variables. The prevalence of energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake inadequacy among respondents was 52%, 66.2%, 17%, and 90.4%, respectively. The percentage of energy derived from carbohydrates, protein, and fat was 74%, 16%, and 10%, respectively. The median energy intake was 2416.8 kcal. Approximately 55%, 84%, and 90% of the respondents had carbohydrate, protein, and fat intakes above, within, and below the acceptable macronutrient distribution range, respectively. Not receiving nutrition education (AOR = 1.32, 95% CI (1.01, 2.83)) and being categorized as medium wealth (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI (1.03, 6.03)) were significantly associated with inadequate energy intake. Having a primary educational level (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI (1.07, 7.17)) and a secondary school educational level (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI (0.24, 0.93)) were associated with inadequacies in carbohydrate intake. Being a merchant (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI (1.12, 6.52)), daily laborer (AOR = 9.28, 95% CI (1.61, 43.65)), or private employee (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI (1.11, 8.07)) was associated with protein intake inadequacy. Due to the low prevalence outcome (< 10% adequacy) of fat intake, regression was not performed. More than half of lactating women’s energy intake was lower than recommended. Most of the respondent’s carbohydrate, protein, and fat intakes were above, within, and below the acceptable macronutrient distribution range, respectively. Wealth index and nutrition education were associated with energy intake inadequacy. The educational status of the respondents’ husbands was associated with carbohydrate intake inadequacy, and the occupational status of the respondents and their husbands was associated with protein intake inadequacy. Therefore, lactating women should receive nutrition education and counseling to consume a diversified diet and enhance their dietary intake through healthcare practice.
M. Belay, Hanna Demelash Desyiblew, Samuel Dagne et al.· Journal of Health, Populatio...· 0 citations
The first five years of life represent a critical developmental window that requires optimal nutrition and lifestyle inputs. Despite global health advancements, childhood undernutrition remains highly prevalent in rural Indonesia, exacerbated by inadequate dietary practices and unregulated physical exertion. This study investigates the simultaneous effects of physical activity levels and dietary protein intake on the nutritional status of toddlers aged 2-5 years in Weebaghe Village, East Nusa Tenggara. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, involving 99 toddlers selected from three community health posts. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable, nutritional status, at a significance level of p < 0.05. The analysis revealed that both physical activity (p = 0.002) and protein intake (p = 0.041) significantly influence nutritional outcomes. Both variables exhibited an inverse relationship with nutritional status, indicating that higher physical exertion without adequate caloric compensation and excessive protein consumption independently predict poorer nutritional profiles in this undernourished cohort. These findings challenge conventional assumptions, highlighting that increased physical activity and excessive protein intake can detrimentally impact toddlers in resource-constrained settings. Public health interventions must prioritize balanced energy and macronutrient distributions tailored to the specific metabolic demands of malnourished children to prevent further deterioration in growth.
Rosalia Astria Tanggu Solo, I. Indasah, Rahmania Ambarika· Health and Technology Journa...· 0 citations
Adolescence is a critical period of growth and development that is highly vulnerable to nutritional problems, including anemia, stunting, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies. These conditions are often associated with unhealthy dietary habits, such as skipping meals, irregular eating patterns, and inadequate intake of nutritious foods. Regular consumption of breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks is essential to support adequate nutrient intake and maintain optimal nutritional status. This study aimed to determine the relationship between breakfast, lunch, and healthy snack consumption and the nutritional status of adolescent girls at SMP Negeri 2 Pekanbaru. A quantitative study with a descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted among 71 seventh-grade female students selected using total sampling. Dietary habits were assessed using a structured questionnaire, while nutritional status was determined by Body Mass Index (BMI). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-Square test. The findings showed significant relationships between breakfast consumption and nutritional status (p = 0.004), lunch consumption and nutritional status (p = 0.004), and healthy snack consumption and nutritional status (p = 0.004). Adolescent girls with healthier eating habits were more likely to have normal nutritional status than those with poor dietary habits. In conclusion, breakfast, lunch, and healthy snack consumption are significantly associated with the nutritional status of adolescent girls. Promoting healthy dietary habits through nutrition education is essential to support optimal growth and development during adolescence. These findings provide useful evidence for schools, parents, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in designing effective nutrition education programs to encourage healthy eating behaviors among adolescents.
Tengku Hartian, Salmi· HEALTH CARE : JURNAL KESEHAT...· 0 citations
Sulamadaha Health Center ranked third in the highest wasting cases in Ternate City in 2024. The factor that plays an important role in meeting the nutritional needs of toddlers is the maternal factor. This study aims to determine the relationship between maternal knowledge, attitudes, and eating behavior with the nutritional status of toddlers based on the W/H (Weight/ height) indicator in the Sulamadaha Health Center Working Area of Ternate City. This study is a quantitative research. The population in this study were all mothers who have toddlers in the Sulamadaha Health Center. A sample of 240 respondents was taken. Data on maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior were obtained through interviews using a questionnaire, while data on Toddler Nutritional Status were measured through anthropometric measurements, namely measuring height or length and also body weight. Data were analyzed univariately and bivariately using the Pearson chi-square test. (α = 0.05). The nutritional status of toddlers using the W/H indicator consists of the categories of wasting 48 respondents (20%), normal 160 respondents (68.3%), and overweight 28 respondents (11.7%). The statistical test results showed a significant relationship between maternal knowledge (p value= 0.04), maternal attitudes (p value= 0.000), and eating behavior with toddler nutritional status (p value = 0.041). It is recommended that the Sulamadaha Health Center increase nutritional counseling for mothers of toddlers and provide assistance to families experiencing malnutrition. It is also recommended that mothers of toddlers be proactive in increasing their knowledge and behavior in implementing healthy eating patterns for their families.
