THE EFFECT OF THE FRUIT-VEGETABLE FUN TECHNIQUE ON IMPROVING NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN CHILDREN AGED 2-5 YEARS IN THE WORKING AREA OF THE CIPINANG BESAR UTARA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, EAST JAKARTA

Abstract

Good growth and development are essential requirements for achieving optimal health. Growth and development disorders will hinder the creation of quality human resources as a determinant of the future development of the nation and state. In 2021, the nutritional status of underweight and poor toddlers based on weight/age was generally 20.4%, with a proportion of 17.94% experiencing undernutrition and 2.46% experiencing severe malnutrition out of a total of 3,802 toddlers. Although the percentage has increased, this number has reached the national target of the nutrition improvement program, which is 20% (Serang Regency Health Office, 2021). This is due to factors such as habits and nutritional fulfillment in these children that are still lacking, both external and internal factors are among the causes. Fruit-Vegetable Fun learning is a form of introduction to nutritious foods by mothers who are expected to play a vital role in improving the nutritional status of early childhood. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Fruit-Vegetable Fun technique on improving the nutritional status of children aged 2-5 years in the working area of ??the Cipinang Besar Utara Community Health Center, East Jakarta. The study design used a quasi-experimental approach with a pre- and post-test without control. The sampling of this study was conducted using a purposive sampling technique. The number of respondents in this study was 50 children. Respondents' mothers were given an observation form for eating patterns and frequencies, as well as a Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ). Respondents were given a Fruit-Vegetable Fun game using flashcards of fruits and vegetables that are classified as nutritious foods and explaining the benefits of these foods. The results of the study showed that there was an increase in nutritional status in children aged 2-5 years after being given the Fruit-Vegetable Fun game which was known from the observation sheet for children's eating frequencies and patterns. Suggestions for health workers, especially nurses at community health centers, are to be able to provide routine programs using interesting methods for children to increase children's appetite so that it has an impact on improving nutritional status in children aged 2-5 years.