The knowledge of a mother determines nutritional status of her children: A study at Kirana Posyandu (pre- and post-natal health care unit) of Surabaya City, Indonesia in 2017

Abstract

Lack of nutrition during childhood has a profound impact on health including cognitive development. One of all factors that related to nutritional status is knowledge mother’s factor. This study aims to identify the correlation between mothers’ knowledge about nutrition and their toddlers’ nutritional status (weight/age). The samples of this study are 37 mothers with toddler. This study showed a correlation between mothers’ knowledge about nutrition and their toddlers’ nutritional status (weight/age) at Kirana Posyandu at Pegirian Health Care Center of Surabaya City. Thus, in order to increase mothers’ knowledge about nutrition, health cadres should optimized health services with regards the steps in caring postnatal children. Health care professionals can provide counseling about the importance of toddler’s nutrition.