<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Based on Basic Health Research data, the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia is 30.8%, consisting of 11.5% very short and 19.3% short. The results of monitoring nutritional status in Kupang City in 2022, the number of toddlers was 25,543 toddlers, stunting was 5,497 (21.5%) toddlers, consisting of 4,075 short and 1,422 very short. One of the causes of the high number of stunted toddlers is the lack of understanding of toddler mothers regarding the nutritional value and health benefits, especially the use of local food in efforts to prevent stunting, so it is necessary to provide counseling to toddler mothers. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of counseling on the use of local food on the knowledge and behavior of toddler mothers in preventing stunting at the Sikumana Health Center in Kupang City. This type of research is a mixed method with a sequential explanatory design. Quantitative research uses quasi-experimental with a one group pretest-posttest design, with a questionnaire instrument for knowledge and behavior of the use of local food in preventing stunting. This study was conducted from September to October 2024. The sample was mothers who had toddlers aged 12-60 months at the Sikumana Health Center in Kupang City, totaling 255 mothers of toddlers. Data analysis used the pair t-test and linear regression test. Qualitative research used a phenomenological study with interview guideline instruments. Counseling was given at the Sikumana Health Center Posyandu in Kupang City using the lecture method using power point and leaflets. Pre-tests of knowledge and behavior were given before counseling, post-tests were given 2 weeks after counseling. The results of the study showed that there was an effect of changes in knowledge and behavior in the use of local food in preventing stunting in mothers of toddlers before and after counseling. Keywords: Local Food, Knowledge, Behavior, Mother of Toddler, Stunting ABSTRAK Berdasarkan data Riset Kesehatan Dasar prevalensi stunting di Indonesia sebesar 30,8% yang terdiri dari 11,5% sangat pendek dan 19,3% pendek. Hasil pemantauan status gizi di Kota Kupang tahun 2022, jumlah balita sebanyak 25.543 balita, stunting sebanyak 5.497 (21,5%) balita, yang terdiri dari 4.075 pendek dan 1.422 sangat pendek. Salah satu penyebab tingginya angka balita stunting yaitu masih kurangnya pemahaman ibu balita terhadap nilai gizi dan manfaat kesehatan khususnya pemanfaatan pangan lokal dalam upaya pencegahan stunting, maka perlu dilakukan upaya pemberian penyuluhan pada ibu balita. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh penyuluhan pemanfaatan pangan lokal terhadap pengetahuan dan perilaku ibu balita dalam pencegahan stunting di Puskesmas Sikumana Kota Kupang. Jenis penelitian ini adalah mixed method dengan desain sequential explanatory. Penelitian kuantitatif menggunakan quasi experimental dengan rancangan one group pretest-posttest design, dengan instrumen kuesioner pengetahuan dan perilaku pemanfaatan pangan lokal dalam pencegahan stunting. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan September sampai dengan Oktober 2024. Sampel yaitu ibu yang memiliki balita usia 12-60 bulan di Puskesmas Sikumana Kota Kupang sebanyak 255 ibu balita. Analisis data menggunakan uji pair t- test dan uji regesi linear. Penelitian kualitatif menggunakan studi fenomenologi dengan instrumen pedoman wawancara. Penyuluhan diberikan di posyandu Puskesmas Sikumana Kota Kupang dengan metode ceramah menggunakan power point dan leaflet. Pre test pengetahuan dan perilaku diberikan sebelum penyuluhan, post tes diberikan 2 minggu setelah penyuluhan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ada pengaruh perubahan pengetahuan dan perilaku pemanfaatan pangan lokal dalam pencegahan stunting pada ibu balita sebelum dan sesudah penyuluhan. Kata Kunci: Pangan Lokal, Pengetahuan, Perilaku, Ibu Balita, Stunting]]>
