The Relationship Between Complementary Feeding and Infant Nutritional Status
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59585/ijhs.v4i4.1821Keywords:
Complementary Feeding, Infants, Nutritional Status, Infant Feeding, GrowthAbstract
Background Complementary feeding is the process of introducing foods and beverages at around six months of age when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants . The timing , frequency , amount , consistency , diversity , and quality of complementary foods are important determinants of child growth and nutritional status. Objective This study aimed to determine the relationship between complementary feeding practices and the nutritional status of infants . Methods A quantitative analytic study with a cross-sectional design was conducted in October 2026 in the working area of a community health center . The sample consisted of 96 infants aged 6–23 months selected using purposive sampling. Complementary feeding practices were assessed based on timing of introduction , frequency , amount , food consistency , dietary diversity , and feeding practices . Nutritional status was assessed through weight and length / height measurements according to age using standard child growth assessment procedures . Data were analyzed using the chi-square test with a significance level of 0.05. Results Fifty- seven infants (59.4%) received appropriate complementary feeding , while 39 (40.6%) received less appropriate complementary feeding . Sixty-eight infants (70.8%) had normal nutritional status and 28 (29.2%) had normal nutritional status problems . The proportion of nutritional problems was 46.2% among infants receiving less appropriate complementary feeding compared with 17.5% among those receiving appropriate complementary feeding . The chi-square test showed a significant relationship between complementary feeding practices and nutritional status (p=0.004). Conclusion Complementary feeding practices were significant associated with infant nutritional status. Appropriate age of introduction , adequate frequency and consistency , dietary diversity , and responsive feeding should be strengthened through parental and caregiver education.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kiki Rezki Aulia, Rezqiqah Aulia Rahmat
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
International Journal of Health Sciences is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
