Hubungan Praktik Pemberian Makan (Feeding Practices) Orang Tua dan Status Gizi dengan Perkembangan Balita di Kecamatan Bangsalsari Kabupaten Jember

Abstract

Introduction: Nutritional problems among toddlers remain a public health challenge as they affect children’s growth and development. Parental feeding practices play an important role in determining both nutritional status and child developmental. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between parental feeding practices and nutritional status with the development of toddler in Bangsalsari District, Jember Regency. Methods: This study employed a quantitative correlational design with a cross-sectional approach involving 334 respondents selected through consecutive sampling. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). Results: The results showed that feeding practices had a significant effect on nutritional status (T=32.088; p=0.000), and nutritional status had a significant effect on toddler development (T=4.829; p=0.000). In addition, feeding practices had an indirect effect on development through nutritional status (T=4.682; p=0.000), as well as a significant total effect on toddler development (T=4.682; p=0.000). Conclusion: Parental feeding practices and nutritional status were significantly associated with toddler development. Therefore, appropriate feeding practices are essential to support optimal nutritional status and child development.