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

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine mothers’ and children’s knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) on the Indonesian Dietary Guideline (Balanced Nutrition Guideline) and the relationship with children’s nutritional status. KAP was assessed using a set of developed questionnaires according to the 10 messages of the guideline. A total of 210 school children from four public schools in Cianjur District with their mothers participated in this study from August to September 2018. A total of 60%-75% of schoolchildren had normal nutritional status, 4%-7% as thin, and 15%-33% as overweight/obese. The majority of mothers of school children in all school levels had good scores (>80) regarding knowledge, attitude, and practice on balanced nutrition. However, there were no significant differences between groups. Mother’s knowledge of balanced nutrition was correlated with nutritional status in elementary school children (r=0.316, p=0.007). While, mother’s practice on balanced nutrition was correlated with nutritional status in senior high school children (r=0.279, p=0.020). School children’s knowledge, attitude, and practice towards the Indonesian Dietary Guideline were different among the school levels. Knowledge score on balanced nutrition was higher significantly in senior high school children (p=0.018), attitude score on balanced nutrition was higher significantly among elementary school children than junior and senior high school children (p=0.007). While the practice score on balanced nutrition was higher significantly in elementary school children than senior high school children (p=0.001). Practices on balanced nutrition guidelines were correlated with nutritional status in senior high school children (r=0.283, p=0.018). Nutrition education must always be improved among mothers and school children so that the Indonesian Dietary Guideline could be implemented in the daily life. Keywords: dietary guideline, mother’s knowledge, nutritional knowledge, nutritional status, school children.