Hubungan Pemberian Mp-Asi Fortifikasi Kemasan terhadap Pertumbuhan Anak Stunting di Kecamatan Panyabungan Jae, Kabupaten Mandailing Natal, Provinsi Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Objective: Stunting potentially increases the susceptibility to diseases. The national policy recommends providing complementary foods (CF) from 6 to 24 months; however, only one of three children receives CF in accordance with the guideline. The objective of this study is to determine the association of providing fortified CF to the growth of children with stunting in the Panyabungan Jae district. Method: This interventional study was performed by using quasiexperimental research with pre- and post-study design. The study samples were children aged six months – 2 years with stunting ands received fortified CF and had repeated anthropometric examinations and diet compliance evaluations every two weeks until three months. Data analysis was conducted with T independent, Mann Whitney, and McNemar tests, with a p-value of <0.05 indicating a significant result. Result: In total, there were 65 children aged 6 months – 2 years, and there were 24 stunted children. The majority of children with stunting are women (54.2%) with an average age of 14.71 years. The results of the study showed significant differences in weight and height at the last examination of stunted children (p <0.001). The Mann Whitney test also showed a difference in weight and height gain after receiving complementary foods (p <0.001 each). In addition, the provision of fortified MP-ASI resulted in a change in children's status from stunted (41.4%) to not stunted (1.7% left). McNemar's test also showed a significant difference in status before and after giving fortified complementary foods for 3 months (p<0.001). Conclusion: There is a significant difference in body weight and height increases between children with and without stunting. There is a significant difference in stunting status conditions between before and after CF.