The Relationship Between Early Introduction of Complementary Feeding and Nutritional Status in Children Aged 6-24 Months in Banyuraden Village, Gamping, Sleman

Abstract

To ensure optimal growth and development in children, the provision of complementary feeding (MP-ASI) needs to consider several important factors such as nutritional content, appropriate timing, frequency, portion size, and method of delivery. This is crucial because the first two years of life are a period of rapid growth and development in children, requiring adequate nutritional intake. This study aim to examine the relationship between early introduction of MP-ASI and nutritional status among children aged 6-24 months in Banyuraden Subdistrict. This study using an observational analytical method with a CrossSectional approach. This study employed a purposive sampling technique to select participants, resulting in a sample of 125 children aged 6-24 months. The inclusion criteria were: (1) children whose mothers were willing to participate as respondents in the study, (2) children aged 6–24 months, (3) children who were given early complementary feeding (MP-ASI) and those who were not, and (4) children whose mothers were literate. The exclusion criteria included: (1) children with congenital Hirschsprung's disease, (2) children with congenital duodenal atresia, and (3) children with congenital achalasia. The research findings revealed that the majority of respondents (61.6%) did not introduce early complementary feeding (MP-ASI) to their children. Additionally, 60% of respondents demonstrated good nutritional status. Statistical analysis using SPSS 26 with chi-square testing indicated a significant relationship between early introduction of MP-ASI and nutritional status, with a p-value of 0.001 (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the timing of MP-ASI introduction is associated with the nutritional status of children.