FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERNS AND NUTRITIONAL ADEQUACY OF STUNTING TODDLERS IN THE COASTAL AREA OF SERAM BEACH IN THE WESTERN PART OF MALUKU

Abstract Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that has an impact on the growth and development of toddlers. One of the causes of stunting is food consumption patterns, including the type of food ingredients and nutritional adequacy. The aim of this research is to determine food consumption patterns and the relationship between toddler nutritional adequacy and the incidence of stunting in the coastal area of West Seram, Maluku. The type of research is analytical observational research with a cross sectional approach which was carried out from July to August 2023. The sample was 156 toddlers, which was calculated using the Lemeshow formula. The sampling technique is purposive sampling. The instruments in this research were a 24 hour recall form and microtoice. Data on types of food ingredients were analyzed descriptively and nutritional adequacy data using the chi-square test. The results of the descriptive analysis show that the main type of food consumed by stunted and non-stunted toddlers is rice, vegetables are leaves (cassava), animal food is fresh fish and only a few consume fruit and milk as well as snacks. The chi-quare test results showed that energy adequacy (p=0.004), Vitamin A (p=0.002), zinc (p=0.001 and calcium (p=0.033) were related to the incidence of stunting in toddlers. Protein adequacy (p=0.211) and iron (p=0.067) is not related. It can be concluded that energy adequacy, Vitamin A, Zinc and Calcium are related, while protein and iron adequacy are not related to the incidence of stunting in children under five in the West Seram Coastal area.