Fiber Intake Profile Among Children 6-36 Months in Relation to Type of Milk Consumption, Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Iron Status: a Cross-sectional Study in Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia

Fiber as part of the plants can be provided through eating grains, fruits and vegetables. As source of fiber, exclusively breastfed infants do not need additional dietary fiber because breast-milk provides oligosaccharides to maintain the bulk for normal gastrointestinal movements together with gut probiotics. However, after the period of six months of exclusive breastfeeding, then complementary foods are the initial sources of fiber of children aged 6-59 months diet, e.g. cereals, fruits and legumes should then be introduced. However, investigators should consider on the effect of plant foods as a non-haem iron food source that is less bioavailable for iron absorption. There are other dietary factors that inhibit iron bioavailability, i.e. phytates in grains and rice, vegetables protein, calcium and phosphorus in cow's milk and cheese. iron deficiency is remained common globally, especially for children age 6-24 month in which it can developing into a severe condition, i.e. iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency as well as anemia is closely related to delay child growth and development, negatively associated with height-for-age, and anemia are at risk for poorer cognitive, motor, social-emotional, and neurophysiologic development in the short- and long-term outcome. The aim of this study is to see the association between fiber intake from different type of milk consumption sources and dietary habits to gastrointestinal health, anemia and growth status among children aged 6-36 months.