EDUKASI PEMBERIAN MAKANAN MODIFIKASI TERHADAP PENINGKATAN NAFSU MAKAN BALITA DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS GRABAG

Abstract

Food preferences and self-regulated eating behaviors are believed to be influenced by early infant feeding practices. Children who are physically and mentally healthy can thrive. Early-life malnutrition can lead to stunting, wasting, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and other future health issues (Inamah et al., 2024). The stunting rate in Purworejo was 21.3% in 2022, an increase from 15.7% the previous year. However, the rate dropped to 20.6% in 2023, and 2024 data from the e-PPGBM system indicates a rate of 14.6% among 39,000 children under five.

The Purworejo Regency Government has designated 16 villages as priority areas for stunting reduction in 2025. According to data from the Grabag Community Health Center (Puskesmas) from July 2025, there were 332 stunted children under five in the area, while 127 were classified as undernourished and 251 were underweight (Puskesmas Grabag, 2025).

Efforts to prevent stunting in the Grabag Community Health Center's service area require educating mothers on improving their children's nutritional intake—specifically by providing complementary foods that appeal to the infants while ensuring a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. Therefore, mothers need to understand and be familiar with various modified food options that can be served to their children while still ensuring the provision of necessary balanced nutrition.