Hubungan Ketahanan Pangan Keluarga dengan Pertumbuhan Anak Balita pada Keluarga Miskin di Kecamatan Medan Sunggal

Abstract

Household food security plays a crucial role in determining the growth status of children under five, particularly in low-income families. A family's inability to provide adequate and nutritious food can lead to imbalanced nutritional intake, which may result in stunting and other growth-related disorders. This study aims to analyze the relationship between household food security and the growth of children aged 24–60 months in the Medan Sunggal Subdistrict. This research employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 95 low-income families with children under five, selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through interviews using a modified version of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and anthropometric measurements of the children. Household food security was assessed based on the frequency and severity of limited food access over the past year. Child growth status was measured using anthropometric indicators (Weight-for-Age, Height-for-Age, and Weight-for-Height). Statistical analysis was conducted using Kendall’s Tau-c to determine the strength of the association between household food security and child growth. The Kendall’s Tau-c test results showed a significant relationship between household food security and child growth, with a p-value of 0.015. Families with low food security were more likely to have children with suboptimal growth. Children from food-insecure households experienced more growth problems than those from food-secure households. These findings indicate that food security significantly contributes to child growth status. Economic limitations that restrict food purchasing power, poor diet quality, and reduced food portions for children were the main contributing factors identified in the field. Therefore, family-based interventions and multisectoral policies are essential to improve food security and prevent growth disorders in children sustainably