History of Breastfeeding, Formula and Eating Patterns in Stunted Toddlers: The Case with Picky Eaters

Abstract
Children aged 1-3 years are in a period of rapid growth after infancy, with a balanced nutritional intake necessary to achieve optimal growth and development. Nutritional problems will occur if the nutrient intake is not being met. One of the issues that exist in child nutrition in Indonesia results in shortness of stature (stunting). One of the behaviours that can occur in the development of children's eating behaviour is picky eating or picking at food. One of the factors that affect children's eating behaviour in adulthood is feeding patterns early in life. Granting exclusive breast milk up to 6 months is a protective factor against the child becoming a picky eater. Complementary feeding MP-ASI (formula), which is given is not appropriate; in this case, if it is too early or too late it also influenced the incidence of picky eaters. This research was analytic research with a crosssectional study design. The area of research is the nutrition research community. The number of subjects consisted of 85 toddlers. Variables examined included a history of feeding breast milk (ASI), breast milk substitutes (MP-ASI), eating patterns, and stunting status. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square Test. There is a relationship between a history of non-exclusive ASI, early MP-ASI, and eating patterns with the incidence of picky eaters with a p-value of respectively is 0.001; 0.002 and 0.001 (P <0.05). There was no significant correlation between the incidence of stunting in picky eaters in toddlers with p = 0.741 (p> 0.05). Dinas Kesehatan Bandar Lampung could appeal to the health centre (Puskesmas) through circulars mandating an active role in the socialisation of the importance of exclusive ASI and MP-ASI on time to prevent the occurrence of picky eating in toddlers. Nutritionists can adopt the Indonesian Nutritionists Association (PERSAGI) or the Indonesian Breastfeeding Mothers Association (AIMI) information in the socialisation and mentoring by ASI counsellors to all pregnant and lactating women in Puskesmas Kedaton in order to prevent the occurrence of picky eating in toddlers