ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: To assess effects of a nutritional education program on improving mothers' undernutrition knowledge, self-efficacy, and complementary feeding practices, and reducing undernutrition in children aged <2 years. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a community healthcare center in Indonesia. The intervention group participated in a 4-week nutritional education program; the control group received standard care (n = 80; 1:1 ratio). Measurements consisted of mothers' knowledge of undernutrition, self-efficacy, and complementary feeding practices, and children's anthropometric indicators. RESULTS: Intervention group mothers improved their understanding of undernutrition, self-efficacy, and complementary feeding practices compared to the control group. Additionally, children in the intervention group exhibited increased mean Z-scores for stunting, wasting, and being underweight at 12 and 24 weeks following the intervention. DISCUSSION: Healthcare professionals can regularly provide nutritional education programs related to managing undernutrition and complementary feeding practices for mothers with children aged <2 years to prevent and improve undernutrition.
