The Effect of Giving VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil) on the Nutritional Status of Under Nutrition Children Aged 24–58 Months Old in Bontoramba Subdistrict Jeneponto Regency Sari Diesna1, Indriasari Rahayu1, Zulkifli Andi1 1Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km. 10, Tamalanrea Indah, Tamalanrea, Tamalanrea Indah, Tamalanrea, Kota, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan, 90245, Indonesia Online published on 30 April, 2019. Abstract The aim of this study to determine effect of VCO on nutritional status based on body weight and nutrient intake among under nutrition children aged 24–58 months old in Bontorambasubdistrict, Jeneponto regency. The study was conducted as a true experiment that using randomized pre and post test with control group. The samples (72 under-nutrition children aged 24–58 months) were selected using probability sampling method based on the indicator of bodyweight/age. The respondents were divided into two groups: treatment and control groups. The treatment group was given Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) and supplement biscuits; while control group was just given supplement biscuits for two months. The body weight and nutrient intake were measured before the intervention; and at the first month and second months after intervention. The result showed that treatment group experienced an increase of bodyweight of 0.68 kg on average; while control group experienced an increase of body weight of 0.58 kg on average. The nutrition intake (energy, protein, fats, carbohydrates and fibre) in treatment and control group increased significantly on average (p ≤ 0.05), and a significant difference between two groups (p≤ 0.05). Therefore, no difference between treatment and control group in bodyweight, but difference was observed in nutrient intake for both groups. Top Keywords Children under five years old, Under nutrition, Virgin coconut oil. Top |