Correlation of Characteristics, Maternal Nutrition Knowledge with Nutritional Status (H/A) in Baduta in Sumbang District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Older toddlers period (children aged 6–23 months) is often referred to as the “golden age,” “critical period.” The World Bank (2006) refers to it as the “window of opportunity” because it is one of the periods of dealing with stunted and severe stunted the most effective. The immediate cause of stunting is a lack of food intake and infectious diseases. Therefore, maternal knowledge about nutrition influences behavior and attitudes in choosing food. Ignorance of foods with good nutrition will cause the selection of the wrong food, and poor nutrition will cause the child’s nutritional status to be poor and lacking. AIM: This study aimed to determine the relationship of nutritional knowledge to the nutritional status of the height/age index in older toddlers in Sumbang District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java. METHODS: This descriptive-analytic study was taken from secondary data using a cross-sectional design conducted on 736 mothers who have older toddlers in Sumbang District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java. RESULTS: There is no relationship between the nutritional status of children under 2 years old (H/A) with maternal age (p = 0.441), mother’s education (p = 0.232), and mother’s occupation (p = 0.284). There is a relationship between the nutritional status of children under 2 years (H/A) and mother’s knowledge (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: This study aimed to determine the relationship of nutritional knowledge to the nutritional status of the height/age index in older toddlers in Sumbang District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java. There is no relationship between the nutritional status of children under 2 years old (H/A) with maternal age (p = 0.441), mother’s education (p = 0.232), and mother’s occupation (p = 0.284). There is a relationship between the nutritional status of children under 2 years (H/A) and mother’s knowledge (p = 0.002).