The Influence Of Family Characteristics And Social Support On Feeding To Toddlers In Medan Helvetia District, Medan City

Introduction

Toddlers are in a critical stage of growth and development, requiring a balanced and nutritious diet to ensure their optimal health and well-being. However, the prevalence of malnutrition among toddlers in Medan Helvetia District, Medan City, is a pressing concern. According to the Medan City Health Office, there were 2,650 toddlers who experienced malnutrition, with 154 cases of severe malnutrition. This situation demands attention from various parties, including the community, government, and health agencies. This study aims to analyze the influence of family characteristics and social support on feeding to toddlers in Medan Helvetia District.

Background

Malnutrition among toddlers is a complex issue, influenced by various factors, including family characteristics and social support. Family characteristics, such as parental education, family income, parental work, and family size, can impact the quality of care provided to toddlers. Social support, including emotional support, instrumental support, informational support, and appreciation support, can also play a crucial role in shaping the feeding habits of toddlers. Understanding the factors that influence the diet of toddlers is essential in developing effective interventions to address malnutrition.

Methodology

This study employed an observational design with an explanatory research approach. The population consisted of 4,985 mothers who have toddlers, with 118 mothers selected as samples. Data was collected through interviews equipped with a questionnaire, and analyzed using multiple logistics regression.

Results

The results of this study showed that several factors statistically influenced the diet of toddlers. These factors include:

• Parental Education: Mothers with higher levels of education were more likely to provide nutritious food to their toddlers.
• Parental Work: Mothers who worked outside the home were more likely to provide nutritious food to their toddlers.
• Informational Support: Mothers who received clear and appropriate information about the provision of healthy food for their children were more likely to provide nutritious food.
• Emotional Support: Mothers who received emotional support from their family and community were more likely to provide nutritious food.

Of the four factors, informational support was proven to be the most dominant factor. This highlights the importance of mothers' access to clear and appropriate information about the provision of healthy food for their children.

Discussion

The results of this study have significant implications for the development of interventions to address malnutrition among toddlers in Medan Helvetia District. Increasing social support from all elements of the community is essential in promoting healthy eating patterns for children. Health workers, especially those related to maternal and child health, must be more responsive in providing emotional support and comprehensive information to mothers who have toddlers about the way and the importance of nutritious feeding.

Conclusion

A good understanding of family characteristics and social support can make a significant contribution in increasing the nutritional status of toddlers. Collaboration between the community, government, and health agencies is crucial in creating an environment that supports healthy eating patterns for children. Through joint efforts, it is expected that the case of malnutrition, especially in Medan Helvetia sub-district, can decrease significantly, and the future of toddlers can be brighter.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

• Increase Social Support: Increase social support from all elements of the community to promote healthy eating patterns for children.
• Enhance Health Worker Response: Health workers must be more responsive in providing emotional support and comprehensive information to mothers who have toddlers about the way and the importance of nutritious feeding.
• Collaboration between Community, Government, and Health Agencies: Collaboration between the community, government, and health agencies is essential in creating an environment that supports healthy eating patterns for children.

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to analyze the influence of family characteristics and social support on feeding to toddlers in Medan Helvetia District, Medan City.

Q: What are the family characteristics that were studied?

A: The family characteristics that were studied include parental education, family income, parental work, and family size.

Q: What are the social support factors that were studied?

A: The social support factors that were studied include emotional support, instrumental support, informational support, and appreciation support.

Q: What were the results of the study?

A: The results of the study showed that several factors statistically influenced the diet of toddlers, including parental education, parental work, informational support, and emotional support. Of the four factors, informational support was proven to be the most dominant factor.

Q: What are the implications of the study?

A: The implications of the study are that increasing social support from all elements of the community is essential in promoting healthy eating patterns for children. Health workers, especially those related to maternal and child health, must be more responsive in providing emotional support and comprehensive information to mothers who have toddlers about the way and the importance of nutritious feeding.

Q: What are the recommendations of the study?

A: The recommendations of the study are to increase social support, enhance health worker response, and collaborate between the community, government, and health agencies to create an environment that supports healthy eating patterns for children.

Q: Why is this study important?

A: This study is important because it highlights the importance of family characteristics and social support in shaping the feeding habits of toddlers. By understanding the factors that influence the diet of toddlers, it is possible to develop effective interventions to address malnutrition and promote healthy eating patterns for children.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The limitations of the study include the small sample size and the use of a single data collection method. Future studies should aim to increase the sample size and use multiple data collection methods to increase the validity and reliability of the findings.

Q: What are the future directions of the study?

A: The future directions of the study include conducting further research to explore the impact of family characteristics and social support on the health and well-being of toddlers. Additionally, the study could be replicated in other settings to increase the generalizability of the findings.

Q: How can the findings of this study be applied in practice?

A: The findings of this study can be applied in practice by increasing social support from all elements of the community, enhancing health worker response, and collaborating between the community, government, and health agencies to create an environment that supports healthy eating patterns for children.