Dietary Diversity dan Stunting Pada Anak Anak Dinegara Berpenghasilan Rendah-Menengah : Tinjaun sistematis

ABSTRACT Stunting refers to children who are too short for their age, in which children affected by stunting may suffer from severe and irreversible physical and cognitive impairments as well as impaired growth. A diet with low dietary diversity may increase the risk of micronutrient deficiencies, which can adversely affect children's physical and cognitive development. This study aimed to review the scientific evidence regarding the association between dietary diversity and stunting among children living in low- and middle-income countries. The literature search was conducted through PubMed and ScienceDirect using the keywords ("dietary diversity" OR "diet diversity" OR "minimum dietary diversity") AND (stunting OR "height-for-age" OR HAZ) AND (child OR infant) AND ("low- and middle-income countries"). The inclusion criteria comprised primary studies that assessed children's dietary intake (particularly among children under 5 years of age), measured dietary diversity, assessed stunting using height-for-age z-score (HAZ), were conducted in low- and middle-income countries, and were available as full-text, open-access articles. Five research articles from various countries met these criteria. The findings demonstrated a significant association between dietary diversity and stunting, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. One of the main strategies consistently recommended is improving children's dietary diversity beginning with complementary feeding. Children aged 6–24 months should receive foods from various food groups, including cereals, tubers, legumes, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, fish, and meat. Adequate dietary diversity contributes to meeting the requirements for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals needed to support growth. Keywords: Dietary Diversity, Stunting, Children Under Five, Height-For-Age Z-Score (HAZ), Low- And Middle-Income Countries. ABSTRAK Stunting mengacu pada anak yang terlalu pendek untuk usianya, dimana anak yang mengalami stunting dapat menderita gangguan fisik dan kognitif yang parah dan tidak dapat dipulihkan serta pertumbuhan yang terhambat. Pola makan yang kurang beragam dapat meningkatkan risiko kekurangan mikronutrien, yang dapat berdampak buruk bagi perkembangan fisik dan kognitif anak. Penelitian ini bertujuan meninjau bukti ilmiah mengenai hubungan dietary diversity dengan kejadian stunting pada anak anak yang tinggal dinegara berpenghasilan rendah-menengah. Penelusuran dilakukan melalui PubMed dan ScienceDirect dengan kata kunci "dietary diversity" OR "diet diversity" OR "minimum dietary diversity") AND (stunting OR "height-for-age" OR HAZ) AND (child OR infant) and Low-Middle Income Countries. Kriteria inklusi meliputi penelitian primer, meneliti asupan anak (terutama 5 tahun), mengukur dietary diversity, mengukur stunting (HAZ), dan terjadi di negara berpenghasilan menengah ke bawah (Low-middle income countries), tersedia dalam full text dan open access. lima artikel penelitian berbagai negara memenuhi kriteria ini. Hasil penelitian menunjukan terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara dietary diversity dengan kejadian stunting terutama dinegara negera berpenghasilan rendah-menengah. Salah satu strategi utama yang secara konsisten direkomendasikan adalah peningkatan keragaman pangan anak sejak pemberian makanan pendamping ASI (MPASI). Anak usia 6 hingga 24 bulan perlu mendapatkan makanan yang berasal dari berbagai kelompok pangan, yaitu serealia, umbi-umbian, kacang-kacangan, buah, sayur, produk susu, telur, ikan dan daging. Keragaman pangan yang memadai bekontribusi dalam pemenuhan energi, protein, vitamin, dan mineral yang dibutuhkan untuk mendukung pertumbuhan. Kata Kunci: Keragaman Pangan, Stunting, Anak Di Bawah Usia Lima Tahun (Balita), Skor-Z Tinggi Badan Menurut Umur (HAZ), Negara Berpenghasilan Rendah Dan Menengah.