The Effects of Home Gardening Utilization and Extension on Vegetables Consumption and Nutrient Intake

Abstract

Vegetables and fruits (VF) are important in healthy diets. However, the consumption of VF especially vegetables are still below the recommendations. This Quasi experimental nonequivalent groups design aimed to analyze the effects of home gardening utilization and extension on vegetables consumption. The subjects were the posyandu member in Tamansari Subdistrict. Households (HH) with children under 5 years old were included in this study (n=61); 31 HH as control group and 30 HH as an intervention group. The vegetable consumption was determined by recall 2x24 hours. Home gardening package, and nutrition extension were given to the intervention group. Independent t-test and Mann Whitney were performed to compare the difference between groups and paired t-test and Wilcoxon test within the groups. Rank Spearman was used to correlate between variable. Multivariate general linear modeling using MANOVA was used to analyze the determinants of vegetables consumption. The result showed that home garden utilization is contrained by the narrowness of the yards. The vegetable consumption in both groups are less than one portion/capita/day. Nutrition extension improved nutrition knowledge (p<0.001). Household nutrient intake improved but not significant between the groups. Control gorup had better intake of energy, protein, calsium, phosphor, dan iron. This can be caused by higher income in control group so they had better accces to food than the intervention group. Home garden size and HH expenditure determined fruit vegetables consumption. Meanwhile, mother’s age and number of family member determined other vegetables consumption. There were no significant variabels determined vitamin A n vitamin C intake at household level. . There were also no significant variabels determined toddler vegetable consumption. Number of family member, mothers education level, HH expenditure, nutrition knowledge, and vegetable consumption habit determined toddlers vitamin A intake. Number of family member, HH expenditure, nutrition knowledge, and vegetable consumption habit determined toddlers vitamin C intake. The utilization of home garden and extension had significant effects on toddlers nutirient intake but not significant on HH and toddlers vegetables consumption. .