The association between complementary feeding practices and anthropometric status among infants aged 6-12 months in Indonesia

The first two years of life represent a critical period of transition from breast milk to home-cooked foods. After six months of age, breast milk alone is insufficient to meet the infant’s nutritional needs, therefore, complementary feeding is required. Inappropriate complementary feeding practices may lead to nutritional problems. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between complementary feeding practices and anthropometric status of infants aged 6-12 months at the Paysandú of Buscemas Wonokusumo. This descriptive correlational study used a cross-sectional design with a total population of 333 and a minimum sample of 85 respondents was determined using consecutive sampling. Independent variables included breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices (timing, variation, texture, portion size, and frequency), while the dependent variables were anthropometric indicators: W/A, L/A, W/L, MUAC/A, and HC/A. Data were collected through questionnaires and anthropometric measurements, analyzed using Chi-Square. The findings revealed that there was a significant association between breastfeeding practices and W/A (p = 0.002), as well as between overall complementary feeding practices and HC/A (p = 0.007). Meanwhile, W/L, L/A, and MUAC/A showed no significant association with complementary feeding practices (p > 0.05). Most respondents demonstrated age-appropriate complementary feeding practices and showed normal anthropometric status. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding were found to influence certain aspects of infant growth, particularly W/A and HC/A.