<![CDATA[Undernutrition among children under five remains a nutritional problem that may impair growth and development. Supplementary feeding based on local food resources is one strategy to improve nutrient intake and nutritional status. Jelawat fish (Leptobarbus hoevenii) is a local freshwater fish rich in protein, fat, and energy that has the potential to support nutritional improvement among undernourished children. To analyse the effect of jelawat fish supplementation on energy, fat, and protein intake, as well as body weight among undernourished children under five years of age. This study applied a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design involving 48 undernourished children between 24 and 59 months of age. Participants were assigned to a control group, a fried jelawat fish group (79 g/day), and a jelawat fish soup group (121 g/day) for 14 days. Participants’ dietary intake was evaluated using two non-consecutive 24-hour food recall interviews, body weight was recorded using a calibrated digital scale with 0.1 kg precision. Data were analysed using Paired Sample t-test, One-Way ANOVA, Post Hoc test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Mann–Whitney test. Significant increases in energy, fat, and protein intake, as well as body weight, were observed in both intervention groups (p<0.05). Mean changes in energy intake were 170.73±85.95 kcal and 128.14±108.82 kcal in the fried and soup groups, respectively. Mean changes in fat intake were 11.29±6.74 g and 7.34±7.82 g, while mean changes in protein intake were 4.45±5.43 g and 3.26±2.73 g. Mean body weight gains were 0.250±0.146 kg and 0.244±0.186 kg. Significant differences were found between the control group and both intervention groups (p<0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed between the fried jelawat fish and jelawat fish soup groups (p>0.05). Supplementation with jelawat fish (Leptobarbus hoevenii) increased energy, fat, and protein intake and body weight among undernourished children under five in Balangan Regency. Jelawat fish has the potential to be utilised as a local real-food supplementary feeding intervention to support nutritional improvement among undernourished children.]]>
