Analysis of the Relationship between Food Security and Nutritional Adequacy

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 44 views

The Relationship between Food Security and Parenting with the Level of Energy and Protein Adequacy in Toddlers in Mulyorejo Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency

Introduction

Food security has become a crucial issue in ensuring the adequacy of children's nutrition, especially in toddlers who are vulnerable to health problems due to lack of nutrition. The relationship between food security and mother's parenting with the level of energy and protein adequacy in toddlers is a significant concern in public health. This study aims to investigate the relationship between food security and mother's parenting with the level of energy and protein adequacy in toddlers in Mulyorejo Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency.

Background

Food security is an important indicator in public health. When families have sufficient access to nutritious food, they can meet daily nutritional needs, especially for children who are in the growth phase. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines food security as "when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life." (1) In Indonesia, food security is a significant concern, especially in rural areas where access to nutritious food is limited.

Methodology

This study uses analytic research methods with latitude cutting design. The research population consists of 100 mothers with toddlers in Mulyorejo Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency. The sampling technique used is random sampling proportional to the size of the population. The data collection methods used are:

Food security measurement: The proportion of family food expenditure and consumption is measured.
Mother's parenting: The habit of mothers in caring for toddlers, including food maintenance, health, and sanitation and environmental hygiene, is judged.
Adequacy of energy and protein intake: 24-hour data recall food consumed is used to determine the adequacy of energy and protein intake.

Results

The results of this study show a significant relationship between food security and the level of energy and protein adequacy. In addition, the mother's parenting also contributes to the adequacy of energy and protein in toddlers. The results are as follows:

Food security is positively correlated with the high levels of energy and protein adequacy in toddlers.
Mother's parenting plays an important role in ensuring the adequacy of children's nutrition. Mothers who have good knowledge about nutrition tend to be more able to prepare food that meets the nutritional needs of their toddler.
Good care from the mother, which includes attention to the selection of food, portions, and cleanliness when serving food, greatly affects the level of energy and protein intake of toddlers.

Analysis of the Relationship between Food Security and Nutritional Adequacy

Food security is an important indicator in public health. When families have sufficient access to nutritious food, they can meet daily nutritional needs, especially for children who are in the growth phase. This study found that good food security correlated with the high levels of energy and protein adequacy in toddlers. This shows that the better food security in a family, the higher the possibility of toddlers getting an appropriate nutritional intake.

On the other hand, the mother's parenting also plays an important role in ensuring the adequacy of children's nutrition. Mothers who have good knowledge about nutrition tend to be more able to prepare food that meets the nutritional needs of their toddler. Good care from the mother, which includes attention to the selection of food, portions, and cleanliness when serving food, greatly affects the level of energy and protein intake of toddlers.

Implications for Health Policies

The results of this study have important implications for public health policies. To increase the adequacy of nutrition in toddlers, there needs to be an effort to increase food security at the family level. Programs that support local agriculture and access to nutritious food must be strengthened. In addition, education for mothers about good parenting in terms of nutrition also needs to be done in a sustainable manner, so they are more aware of the importance of nutrition for child development.

By paying attention to the close relationship between food security, mother's parenting, as well as the adequacy of children's nutrition, we can develop a more effective strategy to improve public health, especially in toddler groups which are the future investment of the nation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study found a significant relationship between food security and the level of energy and protein adequacy in toddlers. The mother's parenting also plays an important role in ensuring the adequacy of children's nutrition. The results of this study have important implications for public health policies, and it is recommended that programs that support local agriculture and access to nutritious food be strengthened, and education for mothers about good parenting in terms of nutrition be done in a sustainable manner.

Recommendations

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

Programs that support local agriculture and access to nutritious food must be strengthened.
Education for mothers about good parenting in terms of nutrition must be done in a sustainable manner.
Health policies must prioritize the improvement of food security and mother's parenting to ensure the adequacy of children's nutrition.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The study only focuses on mothers with toddlers in Mulyorejo Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency.
The study only measures food security and mother's parenting in terms of energy and protein adequacy.
The study does not control for other factors that may affect the relationship between food security and mother's parenting with the level of energy and protein adequacy.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Investigating the relationship between food security and mother's parenting with the level of energy and protein adequacy in other populations.
Examining the impact of food security and mother's parenting on other health outcomes, such as cognitive development and mental health.
Developing and testing interventions that aim to improve food security and mother's parenting to ensure the adequacy of children's nutrition.

References

(1) World Health Organization. (2015). Food Security. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/food-security

(2) United Nations Children's Fund. (2019). The State of the World's Children 2019: Children, Fairness, and Human Rights. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/publications/files/The_State_of_the_Worlds_Children_2019.pdf

(3) World Health Organization. (2018). Nutrition and Healthy Eating. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nutrition-and-healthy-eating

(4) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2017). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2017. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/3/a-i8451e.pdf

(5) World Health Organization. (2019). Maternal and Child Nutrition. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-and-child-nutrition
Q&A: The Relationship between Food Security and Parenting with the Level of Energy and Protein Adequacy in Toddlers

Q: What is food security, and how does it relate to the level of energy and protein adequacy in toddlers?

A: Food security is the availability of sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet the dietary needs and food preferences of an individual or group. In the context of this study, food security is related to the level of energy and protein adequacy in toddlers because when families have sufficient access to nutritious food, they can meet daily nutritional needs, especially for children who are in the growth phase.

Q: What is the significance of mother's parenting in ensuring the adequacy of children's nutrition?

A: Mother's parenting plays an important role in ensuring the adequacy of children's nutrition. Mothers who have good knowledge about nutrition tend to be more able to prepare food that meets the nutritional needs of their toddler. Good care from the mother, which includes attention to the selection of food, portions, and cleanliness when serving food, greatly affects the level of energy and protein intake of toddlers.

Q: What are the implications of this study for public health policies?

A: The results of this study have important implications for public health policies. To increase the adequacy of nutrition in toddlers, there needs to be an effort to increase food security at the family level. Programs that support local agriculture and access to nutritious food must be strengthened. In addition, education for mothers about good parenting in terms of nutrition also needs to be done in a sustainable manner, so they are more aware of the importance of nutrition for child development.

Q: What are some potential limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

The study only focuses on mothers with toddlers in Mulyorejo Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency.
The study only measures food security and mother's parenting in terms of energy and protein adequacy.
The study does not control for other factors that may affect the relationship between food security and mother's parenting with the level of energy and protein adequacy.

Q: What are some potential future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on:

Investigating the relationship between food security and mother's parenting with the level of energy and protein adequacy in other populations.
Examining the impact of food security and mother's parenting on other health outcomes, such as cognitive development and mental health.
Developing and testing interventions that aim to improve food security and mother's parenting to ensure the adequacy of children's nutrition.

Q: What are some potential interventions that could be implemented to improve food security and mother's parenting?

A: Some potential interventions that could be implemented to improve food security and mother's parenting include:

Providing education and training for mothers on nutrition and parenting.
Supporting local agriculture and access to nutritious food.
Implementing programs that promote healthy eating habits and physical activity.
Providing access to healthcare and nutrition services for mothers and children.

Q: What are some potential benefits of improving food security and mother's parenting?

A: Some potential benefits of improving food security and mother's parenting include:

Improved nutrition and health outcomes for children.
Increased access to nutritious food and healthcare services.
Improved maternal and child well-being.
Reduced risk of malnutrition and related health problems.

Q: What are some potential challenges to implementing interventions to improve food security and mother's parenting?

A: Some potential challenges to implementing interventions to improve food security and mother's parenting include:

Limited resources and funding.
Limited access to education and training for mothers.
Limited availability of nutritious food and healthcare services.
Limited awareness and understanding of the importance of nutrition and parenting.

Q: What are some potential solutions to these challenges?

A: Some potential solutions to these challenges include:

Seeking funding and support from government and non-governmental organizations.
Partnering with local communities and organizations to provide education and training for mothers.
Implementing programs that promote access to nutritious food and healthcare services.
Raising awareness and understanding of the importance of nutrition and parenting through education and outreach efforts.