Guntari Prasetya, S,Gz., M.Sc. Pengarang Ali Khomsan Pengarang

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of mothers and children on the Indonesian Dietary Guidelines (Balanced Nutrition Guidelines) and its relationship with children’s nutritional status. KAP was assessed using a set of questionnaires developed according to the 10 messages of the guidelines. A total of 212 school children from four public schools in Cianjur The district along with their mothers participated in this study conducted from August to September 2018. A total of 60-75% of the school children had a nutritional status categorized as normal, 4‒7% as thin, and 15‒33% as overweight/obese. The majority of mothers had good scores (>80) relating to knowledge, attitude, and practice on balanced nutrition. However, there were no significant differences between the child nutritional status groups. Mothers’ knowledge on balanced nutrition was correlated with the nutritional status of elementary school children (r=0.316; p=0.007). On the other hand, the mother’s practice on balanced nutrition was correlated with the nutritional status of senior high school children (r=0.279; p=0.020). Children’s knowledge, attitude, and practice on the Indonesian Dietary Guidelines were different between the school levels. The knowledge score on balanced nutrition was significantly highest among senior high school children (p=0.018), while the attitude score on balanced nutrition was significantly highest among elementary school children (p=0.007). The practice score on balanced nutrition was significantly highest among elementary school children (p=0.001). Practice on balanced nutrition guideline was correlated with the nutritional status of senior high school children (r=0.283; p=0.018). Nutrition education should always be improved for mothers and school children to enhance the implementation of the Indonesian Dietary Guidelines in daily life. Keywords: dietary guideline, mother’s knowledge, nutritional knowledge, nutritional status, school children