Fungsi Keluarga dengan Status Gizi Balita pada Childbearing Family di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Rambipuji Kabupaten Jember

Abstract

Introduction: Family functioning is an essential component of child development, particularly during the childbearing family stage, when parents are adapting to raising their first child aged 0–30 months. Optimal family functioning is expected to support children's nutritional status; however, previous studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding this relationship. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between family functioning and the nutritional status of toddlers in childbearing families in the working area of Rambipuji Public Health Center, Jember Regency. Methods: This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design involving 105 childbearing families selected using a non-probability sampling technique. Family functioning was measured using the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD), while toddlers' nutritional status was assessed using the Weight-for-Age Index (WAZ) based on the Indonesian Ministry of Health anthropometric standards. Descriptive statistics included frequency, percentage, median, and interquartile range. The relationship between family functioning and nutritional status was analyzed using the Pearson Chi-Square test with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Most families demonstrated high family functioning (92.4%), with a median FAD score of 112 (IQR: 109–115). The majority of toddlers had normal nutritional status (81%). Family functioning across all FAD dimensions, including problem solving, communication, roles, affective responsiveness, affective involvement, behaviour control, and general functioning, was generally categorized as good. Statistical analysis revealed has a significant relationship between family functioning and toddlers' nutritional status (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Family functioning was significantly associated with the nutritional status of toddlers in childbearing families. that optimal family functioning contributes to supporting children's nutritional well-being through effective communication, role performance, problem-solving, emotional involvement, behavior control, and overall family functioning. Nevertheless, nutritional status remains a multifactorial outcome influenced by biological, behavioral, socioeconomic, and environmental determinants.