International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (8), pp.165-172, August, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Tempeh–dates biscuits effect on the gained weight of moderate underweight children

*Fatmah H., Diva F., Dian P., Ivonne M.I., Triyanti

Public Health Nutrition Department,  Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia at UI Campus, Depok 16424.

West Java Province, Indonesia. Phone./Fax: 62-21-7863501. 

Underweight status may cause growth disturbance, laziness in conducting daily physical activities, and decreased intellectual capacities due to impaired brain development. The study examined the effect of tempeh-date biscuits on the nutritional status of moderate underweight children. A single blind quasi experimental pre - post study design undertaken at Depok City, West Java Province within 4 weeks. Underfives children in intervention group (n = 13), control group I (n=16), and control group II (n=18) participated in the study. Independent t-test and ANOVA used to analyze the nutritional status difference, final height and weight. Mean nutritional status and differences assessed by paired t-test. The results showed that there was a significant increase in mean weight of 1.3 ± 0.4 kg in the intervention group (p = 0.001) and of 0.4 ± 0.5 in the control group (p=0.008). Increasing mean height in the control group was higher (1.8 ± 1.7 cm) than intervention group (1.5 ± 1.7 cm). There was correlation between weight and supplementary feeding in the control and intervention groups. Nutritional status can be improved by tempeh-date biscuits.