Deficient Nutrient Intake from Complementary Foods among Infants Aged 6-11 Months in Rural Areas of Yogyakarta

Abstract :
Nutrition education message that is developed based on linear programming could help arrange complementary feeding recommendations (CFR) using locally available food to improve infants' nutrient adequacy. This study examined deficient nutrients to optimize complementary feeding for infants. Data were collected from the Health District Office of Yogyakarta province that consisted of 91 breastfed infants aged 6-11 mo old. Their dietary intake was assessed by quantitative 24-h recall and data were processed using the software Nutrisurvey, MS Excell, and Optifood. Meat, fish, eggs, fruit, legumes, nuts, and seeds were infrequently consumed. Intakes of Fe and Zn could not fully reach the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNIs), while the vitamins C, B6, folate, B12, and A could achieve 100% of RNIs by using optimized food pattern. Local foods that could be used to help improve the nutrients, except for Fe and Zn. The CFR were as follow: continue breastfeeding frequently; feed quality protein source food such as 3 servings/wk of all type of eggs and liver, 5 servings/wk of locally available flesh of fish; provide 2 servings/wk of enriched/fortified baby porridge; offer plant protein foods (legumes, nuts or seeds) 2 servings/wk including 1 serving/wk of mung bean porridge. Locally available foods had potential to improve diet quality of infants aged 6-11 mo, providing that the consumption frequency is increased. Consumption of food sources for Fe and Zn needs to be improved in terms of both portion and frequency.