<![CDATA[Abstract. Early childhood is a critical period that determines the quality of human resources in the future. Optimal nutrition during this stage, particularly within the first 1,000 days of life, plays an essential role in supporting brain development and cognitive function. Karawang Regency remains an area with a relatively high prevalence of stunting, highlighting the need for comprehensive studies on the relationship between nutritional status and cognitive function in young children. This study aimed to analyze the association between nutritional status and cognitive function among children aged 2–5 years in the working area of Karawang Kulon Public Health Center. An observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design was conducted. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric indicators, including weight-for-age (W/A), height-for-age (H/A), and weight-for-height (W/H), while cognitive function was evaluated using the Early Childhood Vigilance Test (ECVT). Data analysis consisted of univariate and bivariate analyses using Fisher’s Exact Test. The results showed that most children had normal nutritional status based on W/A (92.3%), H/A (96.9%), and W/H (87.8%), and the majority demonstrated normal cognitive function (85.2%). No significant association was found between nutritional status based on W/A and H/A and cognitive function (p > 0.05). However, a significant relationship was observed between nutritional status based on W/H and cognitive function among children aged 2–5 years (p = 0.002). These findings emphasize the importance of continuous nutritional monitoring to support optimal cognitive development during early childhood. Abstrak. Periode anak usia dini merupakan fase krusial dalam menentukan kualitas sumber daya manusia di masa mendatang. Pemenuhan gizi optimal, terutama pada 1000 hari pertama kehidupan, berperan penting dalam menunjang perkembangan otak dan fungsi kognitif anak. Kabupaten Karawang masih menghadapi prevalensi stunting yang cukup tinggi, sehingga diperlukan kajian mengenai hubungan status gizi dengan fungsi kognitif anak usia dini. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara status gizi dan fungsi kognitif pada anak usia 2–5 tahun di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Karawang Kulon. Penelitian menggunakan desain observasional analitik dengan pendekatan cross-sectional. Status gizi dinilai berdasarkan indikator antropometri BB/U, TB/U, dan BB/TB, sedangkan fungsi kognitif diukur menggunakan Early Childhood Vigilance Test (ECVT). Analisis data dilakukan secara univariat dan bivariat menggunakan uji Fisher’s Exact Test. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa mayoritas anak memiliki status gizi normal berdasarkan BB/U (92,3%), TB/U (96,9%), dan BB/TB (87,8%), serta fungsi kognitif normal (85,2%). Tidak terdapat hubungan yang bermakna antara status gizi berdasarkan BB/U dan TB/U dengan fungsi kognitif (p>0,05). Namun, terdapat hubungan signifikan antara status gizi berdasarkan BB/TB dengan fungsi kognitif anak usia 2–5 tahun (p=0,002). Temuan ini menegaskan pentingnya pemantauan status gizi secara berkelanjutan untuk mendukung perkembangan kognitif optimal anak.]]>
