Journal of Health and Nutrition Research

Maternal and Environmental Determinants of Linear and Cranial Growth: A 6-Year Longitudinal Study in West Sumatra

2026-03-23T01:49:39+00:00

This study aimed to identify the integrated maternal, environmental, and biological predictors of child linear growth (Height-for-Age Z-score; HAZ) and cranial growth (Head Circumference; HC) at age six in a longitudinal Indonesian cohort. A prospective cohort study followed 120 mother-child pairs in West Sumatra from the first trimester of pregnancy (2017) through age six (2023). Data were collected on maternal nutrient intake (SQ-FFQ), Vitamin D status (serum 25(OH)D), physical activity, and environmental conditions. Integrated multiple linear regression models were constructed to determine independent predictors, adjusted for maternal education and prepregnancy BMI. In the final integrated models, child HAZ at age six was significantly predicted by maternal first-trimester energy intake (β = 0.0006, p = 0.006), maternal height (p = 0.012), and child energy intake (p = 0.005). Cranial growth (HC) was primarily predicted by birth weight (β=0.0011, p=0.004) and maternal physical activity index (p=0.031). Maternal Vitamin D sufficiency (≥30 ng/mL) in the first trimester showed higher mean HAZ and HC compared to deficient levels (<20 ng/mL), although these differences were not statistically significant. The findings indicate that early pregnancy may be an important period for establishing growth trajectories, shaped by maternal nutritional status and environmental conditions. These observations support the potential value of strengthening pre-conception and early pregnancy care, including nutritional optimization and access to safe water; however, further studies are required to confirm these patterns and inform targeted interventions in West Sumatra.

Strengthening Nutrition Interventions through Academic Collaboration in Pasaman Barat, Indonesia

2025-11-21T01:43:22+00:00

This study aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking for stunting reduction in Pasaman Barat District, Indonesia, through a collaborative model linking academic institutions and with local government. A situation analysis was conducted to assess program coverage, implementation challenges, and multisectoral support related to stunting prevention. Quantitative data from 20 primary health centers showed that most specific nutrition intervention indicators below the national minimum target of 80%. A pilot strengthening program was then implemented, focusing on improving cadre capacity, service supervision, community engagement, and data management. Post-intervention results demonstrated statistically significant improvements in growth monitoring (54.49%±27.19 to 97.43%±5.26; p = 0.00), exclusive breastfeeding (19.04%±28.47 to 59.28%±37.38; p = 0.00), and iron–folic acid supplementation among pregnant women (22.28%±16.96 to 85.28%±24.62; p = 0.00). Other indicators, including complementary feeding practices, antenatal care visits, and adolescent anemia screening, showed numerical but non-significant changes. Qualitative findings further revealed challenges related to limited cadre skills, inadequate facilities, insufficient intersectoral coordination, low community participation, and inconsistent data quality. The developed collaboration model facilitated closer integration of research evidence into local decision-making and supported the formulation of strategic policy recommendations. Overall, the study highlights that institutionalized academic–government partnerships, combined with continuous monitoring and strengthened health system capacity, are essential to accelerate meaningful and sustained reductions in stunting in Pasaman Barat.

Development of Sensory Quality and Shelf Life of Dried Noodles Using Catfish Flour and Mocaf: An Alternative Supplementary Feeding Prototype

2025-11-19T02:15:53+00:00

Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) in pregnant women remains a substantial problem in developing countries, including Indonesia, year by year. The main cause of CED is insufficient intake during pregnancy. One effective solution is providing additional food, such as supplementary feeding (pemberian makanan tambahan/PMT), to pregnant women. It is important to develop innovative PMT options that can serve as alternatives to combat CED. This research aimed to replace traditional ingredients with catfish and Mocaf flour for sensory testing and to evaluate the shelf life of dry noodles as an alternative PMT for pregnant women with CED. The study used a laboratory experimental approach with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) . This study tested four formulations combining mocaf, catfish, and wheat flour: F0 (0%:0%:100%), F1 (20%:5%:70%), F2 (30%:10%:60%), and F3 (35%:15%:50%). Sensory evaluation analysis used a Likert Scale, with 25 semi-trained panellists, with scale of 1-4. Data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Duncan’s post hoc test with SPSS version 23. The results indicated that the substitution significantly affected color preference (p < 0.05). The optimal formulation was F2, with 10% catfish flour and 30% Mocaf flour. Most variables, such as taste, aroma, and texture, suggest that F2 is preferred more than the other formulas. Based on the results of the nutritional value calculations for the selected Formula F2, it has nutritional content including energy of 399.63 kcal, carbohydrates of 56.15 g, fat of 10.10 g, and protein of 21.03 g. The developed dry noodle prototype is a promising nutrient-enriched food product.

Parental Communication on Sexual Health: An Integrative Review of Educational Content and Topics

2025-11-19T00:24:43+00:00

Parents play an important role in their children's sexual health education. The purpose of this study was to examine the materials or topics that parentsconvey when providing sexual health education to their children. The study design was an integrative review using the PRISMA flow diagram withthe CoCoPop framework. The databases used were Cochrane, Scopus, and EBSCO Medline. The inclusion criteria for articles were: abstract andfull text, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed- method research journal articles, English language, published between 2020 and 2024, and a population of parents with children aged 0 to 18 years. The JBI tool was used to evaluate the articles. The results of the study found nine articles, including three quantitative articles, four qualitative articles, and two mixed-method articles. The conclusion of this integrative review is that eachparent conveys different topics or materials, depending on the knowledge, abilities, and stigma of the parents and children regarding sex education. The materials most frequently discussed by parents were puberty, safe touching, unsafe pregnancy and abortion, premarital sex, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, reproductive anatomy, and protection from sexual violence. The recommendation from this study is that there is a need for clear guidelines on age- appropriate sexual health education that can be used by parents from various backgrounds.

The Effect of Moringa Leaf Powder and Egg Supplementation on Nutritional Status and Appetite: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Undernourished Children

2025-11-17T08:16:19+00:00

Undernutrition among children under five remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara Province. According to the 2024 Health Profile of East Nusa Tenggara Province, the prevalence of undernourished (wasted) children in South Central Timor Regency increased from 5.1% in 2019–2020 to 9.7% in 2024, indicating a persistent burden of acute malnutrition. While plant-based, nutrient-dense foods such as Moringa oleifera leaf powder have been widely promoted, evidence on their effectiveness when combined with high–biological-value animal protein, particularly eggs, remains limited. This study aimed to assess the effect of combined moringa leaf powder and egg supplementation on appetite and nutritional status among undernourished children aged 36–59 months. A quasi-experimental study with a control group was conducted from May to July 2025 in the Batuputih Health Center area. Forty undernourished children (weight-for-age Z-score −3 to −2 SD) were allocated to an intervention group (15 g/day moringa leaf powder plus one egg) or a control group (one egg only) for 60 days. Appetite was assessed using the Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ), and nutritional status was evaluated using WHO anthropometric indices Significant improvements in weight-for-age and weight-for-height were observed in both groups (p < 0.05). However, a significant increase in appetite was found only in the intervention group (p = 0.039), while no significant change was observed in height-for-age. The integration of moringa leaf powder with egg-based animal protein effectively improves appetite and short-term nutritional status, supporting weight-for-age and appetite as the most sensitive indicators for short-term nutrition programs, while linear growth requires longer intervention periods.