COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT MODEL IN PREVENTION EFFORTS NUTRITION PROBLEMS IN TODDLERS IN THE COMMUNITY

Abstract

Community involvement through active participation is essential for accelerating the handling of nutritional problems in children. The community needs to be engaged early and comprehensively in efforts to overcome toddler nutrition issues. However, this process has not yet been implemented optimally, so effective community empowerment is required. This study aims to identify community empowerment models that are effective in preventing and reducing stunting in Aceh. The research uses an exploratory qualitative design, with data collected through Focus Group Discussions involving village heads, village officials, posyandu cadres, nutrition workers, and midwives (10 participants). The findings show that the prevention of nutritional problems in villages is a shared responsibility in which each stakeholder must carry out their respective roles. The village head acts as a person in charge, motivator, and financial supporter; posyandu cadres serve as field implementers; and village community institutions act as participants in nutrition-related activities. Collaboration among all stakeholders is needed in planning, implementing, and monitoring programs, as well as capacity building and training for program implementers. A second FGD was conducted with 10 mothers of toddlers. Themes revealed include: children’s food composition generally consists of carbohydrates and protein; eating patterns are three times a day with irregular snacks; vegetables are cooked openly after being washed; fruits are washed before peeling; children’s food is sourced from local ingredients; and mothers make efforts to provide nutritious meals that support children’s growth. It is expected that government, communities, private sector, and health workers actively contribute to tackling toddler nutrition issues. Mothers also need to improve nutrition literacy and good feeding practices within the family.