Balanced Nutrition Practiced with Limitations During The Covid-19 Pandemic: An Experience in Subang, West Java
Authors: Phan Ju Lan , Usfar Avita Aliza 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT  
Balanced Nutrition is a national program for all, decleared to combat non communicable diseases especially for Indonesian people from young age until elderly stage at any situation.The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices of Balanced Nutrition messages among parents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Google online survey platform was used for data collection, distributed in September 2021 and September 2022. The top three Balanced Nutrition messages selected by the parents (n=71), as a proxy indicator for their knowledge, were drinking adequate and safe water, consuming variety of staple foods, eat plenty of vegetables and fruits (from total 10 questions). Parents had positive attitude toward drinking water, consuming a variety of staple food, washing their hands, and engaging in physical activity (from total 8 questions). An increase was shown in the proportion of parents who practiced for above four activities in September 2021, while a decrease in proportion of parents who consumed fruit, vegetable, and animal protein was found (from total 12 questions on practice). In September 2022, the following practices were implemented by a higher proportion of parents compared before and during the pandemic era, namely consumption of adequate water, daily physical activity, and daily fruit consumption. Parents who consumed vegetables daily and washing their hands at 4 critical times declined again in September 2022.  Parents had some knowledge and positive attitudes, but their implementation faced limitations during the pandemic era. Online messaging can be an alternative method of intervention delivery method, as well as through the preschool setting. Support and investment of the local government would improve health and provide economic benefit eventually.
Keywords: balanced nutrition, COVID-19, knowledge, attitude, practices, Indonesian parents 
ABSTRAK  
Gizi Seimbang merupakan program nasional, untuk mengatasi penyakit tidak menular terutama untuk masyarakat Indonesia dari usia dini sampai lanjut usia. Tujuan dari studi ini adalah menilai pengetahuan, sikap dan praktik pesan Gizi Seimbang pada orang tua sebelum dan selama pandemi COVID-19. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan memanfaatkan platform survei daring google, dibagikan pada September 2021 dan September 2022. Tiga pesan Gizi Seimbang yang paling banyak dipilih oleh orangtua (n=71), sebagai pendekatan pengukuran pengetahuan, adalah minum air cukup dan aman, konsumsi beragam pangan pokok, makan banyak sayuran dan buah (dari total 10 pertanyaan). Orang tua memiliki sikap positif terhadap minum air, konsumsi beragam pangan pokok, mencuci tangan, dan terlibat di aktivitas fisik (dari total 8 pertanyaan). Pada September 2021 terdapat peningkatan proporsi orang tua yang mengonsumsi buah, sayur dan protein hewani dibanding sebelum pandemi (dari total 12 pertanyaan perilaku). Pada September 2022, lebih banyak proporsi orang tua yang mengonsumsi cukup air, melakukan aktivitas fisik, dan makan buah dibandingkan sebelum pandemi. Orang tua yang mengonsumsi sayuran tiap hari dan mencuci tangan pada 4 waktu kritis kembali menurun pada September 2022. Orang tua memiliki pengetahuan dan perilaku positif namun praktiknya selama pandemi mengalami keterbatasan. Pesan daring merupakan cara alternatif menyampaikan pesan, juga melalui jalur sekolah anak usia dini. Dukungan dan investasi dari pemerintah setempat akan meningkatkan status kesehatan dan akhirnya memberikan manfaat ekonomis.  
Kata kunci: gizi seimbang, COVID-19, pengetahuan, sikap, praktik, orang tua Indonesia