Snakehead Fish (Chana striata) Powder Formulation for Increasing Calorie and Protein Intake in Malnourished Children

The cases of malnutrition in South Kalimantan are still high, and two districts which are included in the prevalence of undernourishment are South Hulu Sungai District and Batola District. This study aims to increase protein intake in children with malnutrition by giving additional input in the form of snakehead fish powder.

The method of this study was quasi-experimental. This study used two groups with one treatment. The study was conducted at Berangas Health Center, Alalak Sub-District, Barito Kuala District, South Kalimantan. The research subjects were 50 people, with criteria for malnourished children under five who did not increase their weight scales in rows twice. The analysis used the t-test with the significance level used was p <0.05.

There was no difference in calorie intake between the group who received conventional toddler formula and the group who received the fish formula, and there was a difference in protein intake between the group who received conventional toddler formula and the group that received the recommended fish formula.

The formula of snakehead fish is perfect for sufferers of malnutrition because the high protein in snakehead fish contains high levels of albumin that can improve cells and body tissues and help to boost growth in toddlers.