Food intake and infectious diseases among malnutrition toddlers in rural area of Muna Regency

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to look at the relationship between food intake and infectious diseases with the incidence of malnutrition in rural toddlers.

Methods

The study was conducted using a cross-sectional study design. Daily food intake was collected using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) method. Measurement of body weight and body length is done by enumerators who have been trained.

Results

This study found that there was a significant relationship between food intake and nutritional status of children under five years because p-value <0.05, with RR = 3.17 (95% CI = 1.22–8.25), there was a relationship which is meaningful between infectious diseases and nutritional status because of the p-value <0.05, with a RR value of 2.6 (95% CI = 1.01–6.73).

Conclusion

Food intake among malnutrition children was much lower than the recommended daily allowance. Infectious diseases are found prevalent among malnutrition children.