The Correlation between Providing Complementary Food and Breast-Feeding with the Growth and Development of Children under the Age of Five Years Old (6-24 months)
Abstract: A toddler is a group
on the stage of human development that is vulnerable to the risk affecting
their health specifically about their growth and development. Providing the
appropriate nutrition to toddlers during this risky age of 6 to 24 months is
crucial in promoting a proper growth and development. The proper nourishment
for toddlers at the age of 6 to 24 months includes breast-feeding and
complimentary solid foods. The objective of this study was to determine the
correlation between the specific characteristics of a family or a household and
the provision of complementary feeding about the growth and development of
children (6-24 months) in the village of Curug Cimanggis, Depok. This study
used a descriptive correlational, cross-sectional approach using a sample that
consisted of 102 children aged 6-24 months, which were collected using a
proportional cluster sampling. Based on the Chi Square test, the researchers
found no correlation between the provision of complementary feeding with a
child’s growth and development. This is because breast-feeding as the source of
nourishment is still the major factor that directly influences the growth and
development of any toddler between the age of 6-24 months. However, by applying
better financial management in conjunction with the ability to modify the
practices of how families feed their toddlers, a family may raise and nurture
their toddlers so they may grow according to the proper stages of development.
The results of this study are expected to serve as an input in improving
toddlers’ health care concerning their growth and development by promoting the
importance of providing the appropriate complimentary food by the proper
guidelines while continuing to breast feed toddlers between the age of 6 to 24
months.
Keywords: development; family
characteristic; feeding; growth; toddlers
Author: Dwi Cahya Rahmadiyah,
Junaiti Sahar, Poppy Fitriyani
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg150386
