<![CDATA[Background: Toddlers’ protein intake is still less than the nutritional adequacy figure, due to non-diverse eating habits. Children often have unhealthy eating habits, such as limiting food consumption to only one type of food, which can result in malnutrition.Objectives: The aim of the research was to analyze the relationship between protein intake and food diversity with the incidence of underweight in toddlers aged 12-59 months in Bima Regency.Methods: This study employed an analytic observational research design with a cross-sectional approach. This research was conducted in Bima regency in May-June 2024. We simultaneously sampled 101 toddlers aged 12 to 59 months at a single point in time. The assessment of protein intake and food diversity was conducted using the semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ). The SQ-FFQ interviews generated direct scores for the individual dietary diversity score (IDDS) based on nine food groups, and underweight nutritional status was measured using a digital weighing scale. Data analized used the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.Results: Among the toddlers, 78,2% of those classified as underweight had insufficient protein intake, and 75,9% consumed a non-diverse diet (less than 5 types of food groups). There were significant association between protein intake and underweight status (p-value = 0,000); as well as between food diversity and underweight status (p-value = 0,001).Conclusion: the nutritional status of toddlers aged 12-59 months in Bima Regency is significantly related to protein intake and food diversity.]]>
