Food Taboos, Dilema Sosiokultural, dan Dietary Diversity Balita Pada Masa Penerapan Program Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) di Desa Menang Kabupaten Ponorogo

Abstract

Stunting remains a global health challenge, often complicated by sociocultural factors such as food taboos. This study aims to analyze the influence of food taboos and sociocultural barriers on dietary diversity in toddlers in Menang Village, Ponorogo Regency. The research method used was quantitative descriptive with a simple random sampling technique of 33 mothers of toddlers through a structured questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall. The results showed that although the tradition of fasting mutih has been abandoned, 12,1% of mothers still avoid animal protein after giving birth due to milk. In addition, there were significant cognitive barriers, with 51,6% of respondents believing that rough meat makes the child’s intestines work harder, and 24,3% of respondents feeling pressured by social control from family or neighbors if they violate feeding customs. Consequently, there is a gap in food consumption, with 60,6% of toddlers not consuming fish and 18,2% not consuming eggs in the past 24 hours. The conclusion of this study is that strong sociocultural pressures and health myths are determinants that hinder the achievement of minimal dietary diversity in toddlers. Culturally sensitive nutritional interventions and innovations in local protein processing are needed to break the chain of myths and reduce the risk of stunting at the rural level.