The Efficacy of Fortified Rice Consumption on Nutritional Status of Stunted Children Less Than Five Years Old in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2 Center for Health and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

3 Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

4 Management Department, BINUS Business School Master Program, Bina Nusantara University, Jakarta, Indonesia

5 Center for Research, Strategic Planning, and Policy Analysis, Perum BULOG, Jakarta, Indonesia

10.30476/ijns.2026.106671.1458

Abstract

Background: Stunting still remains a priority issue of malnutrition in Indonesia. Nutrition deficiency during the first 1000 day of life is the main factor of stunting in children. The strategy to address the nutrition deficiency through food fortification showed a positive impact of malnourished children in several studies. This study aimed to examine the effect of consuming fortified rice on nutritional status of stunted children.
Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial study enrolled 96 children aged 12-59 months with the height-for-age z-score lower than -2 SD. Participants were assigned to treatment fortified rice (FR) and control non-fortified rice (NFR) group. FR group received fortified rice; while NFR received non-fortified rice for 24 weeks of intervention. The comparison of heigh-for age z-score (HAZ), weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), and weightfor- height z-score (WHZ) between groups was undertaken.
Results: No significant differences were noticed for HAZ, WAZ, and WHZ between groups. FR group showed a greater improvement in the number of participants transitioning from stunted to normal status when compared to NFR group. Linear regression analysis revealed that consumption of fortified rice could significantly increase the HAZ in children aged 4-5 years, particularly among those whose mothers had high self-efficacy. Factors associated with the increase in HAZ coefficient included adequate energy intake, infrequent milk consumption, and effective feeding practices.
Conclusion: Consumption of fortified rice had no significant impact on nutritional status of stunted children. Maternal or caregiver self-efficacy had a potential positive influence on the HAZ of stunted children.

Highlights

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References

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