Gambaran Status Gizi dan Kejadian Karies pada Anak Usia 24-59 Bulan di Puskesmas Tinumbala Pesisir Kota Bitung - Mongi, Pebrian B.; Mintjelungan, Christy N.; Parengkuan, Wulan G. (Universitas Sam Ratulangi, 2026)
Abstract: Age of 24–59 months is a critical early stage in an individual's growth and development. Dental caries in children can cause pain, difficulty in eating, sleep disturbance, and ultimately affect their nutritional status due to disrupted food intake. Children with abnormal nutritional status are at higher risk of health problems, including infectious diseases, growth disorders, and oral health issues such as dental caries. This study aimed to obtain the description of nutritional status and dental caries incidence among children aged 24-59 months. This was a descriptive and observational study with a cross-sectional approach, using purposive sampling on children attending the posyandu (integrated health post) organized by Puskesmas Tinumbala. A total of 87 children were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results showed that 34.48% (n=30) of the children were categorized as stunted based on height-for-age (H/A) assessment, and 58.62% (n=51) had dental caries. Of the 30 children with stunted nutritional status, 50% experienced dental caries, and of the 51 children who had dental caries, 29.4% were also classified as stunted. Several factors influenced these conditions, including exclusive breastfeeding, birth weight, parental education and economic level, toothbrushing behavior, and the number of children in the family. In conclusion, half of the children aged 24-59 months experience dental caries, and a part of the children that experience dental caries are categorized as stunted. Keywords: nutritional status, caries incidence, children Abstrak: Masa anak usia 24-59 bulan merupakan tahap awal yang krusial dalam proses pertumbuhan dan perkembangan. Karies gigi pada anak dapat menyebabkan rasa nyeri, kesulitan makan, gangguan tidur, dan pada akhirnya memengaruhi status gizi anak karena asupan makanan terganggu. Anak dengan status gizi tidak normal memiliki risiko lebih tinggi terhadap gangguan kesehatan, termasuk penyakit infeksi, gangguan pertumbuhan, dan masalah kesehatan gigi dan mulut seperti karies. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan gambaran status gizi dan kejadian karies pada anak. Jenis penelitian ialah observasional deskriptif dengan desain potong lintang. Pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik purposive sampling pada anak 24-59 bulan yang menghadiri posyandu yang dilaksanakan oleh Puskesmas Tinumbala. Sampel penelitian berjumlah 87 anak, diseleksi berdasarkan kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan sebanyak 34,48% (n=30) anak tergolong dalam kategori stunting berdasarkan penilaian status tinggi badan menurut umur (TB/U) dan sebanyak 58,62% (n=51) anak mengalami karies. Dari 30 anak dengan status gizi stunting, sebanyak 50% mengalami karies gigi, dan dari 51 anak yang mengalami karies gigi, sebanyak 29,4% juga tergolong dalam status gizi stunting. Beberapa faktor yang memengaruhi kondisi tersebut antara lain pemberian ASI-Eksklusif, berat badan lahir, tingkat pendidikan dan ekonomi orang tua, perilaku menyikat gigi, serta jumlah anak dalam keluarga. Simpulan penelitian ini ialah setengah dari anak usia 24-59 bulan dengan status gizi stunting mengalami karies gigi, dan sebagian anak yang mengalami karies gigi tergolong dalam status gizi stunting. Kata kunci: status gizi; kejadian karies; anak usia 24-59 bulan