Effectiveness of dragon fruit ice cream with Yakult in relieving constipation among preschool children

Authors

  • Siti Nur Halimah Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung Research Department. Jl. Pajajaran No 56 Post code 40172 Bandung, Indonesia, Tel.: +6287883886137 , Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung image/svg+xml Author
  • Nawat Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung Nursing Department, Jl. semeru 116, Pos Code 16151, Kota Bogor, Indonesia, Tel.: +6281284858017 , Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung image/svg+xml Author
  • Camalia Suhertini Sahat Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung Nursing Department, Jl. semeru 116, Pos Code 16151, Kota Bogor, Indonesia, Tel.: +6281399809640 , Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung image/svg+xml Author
  • Yuliastati Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung Nursing Department, Jl. semeru 116, Pos Code 16151, Kota Bogor, Indonesia, Tel.: +6289673317885 , Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung image/svg+xml Author
  • Gurid Pramintarto Eko Mulyo Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung Nutrition Department, Jl. Pajajaran No 56 Post Code 40172 Bandung, Indonesia, Tel.: +6281321079005 , Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung image/svg+xml Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5219/scifood.71

Keywords:

dragon fruit, ice cream, constipation, preschool children, Yakult

Abstract

Children aged 3-6 years, also known as preschoolers, are at a stage when independence begins to develop, including in eating. Children in the preschool age group experience a decrease in appetite or become more selective in their food choices. They prefer playing and interacting with their environment over eating. A common health issue during this age is constipation. Parents play a crucial role in providing proper nutrition to prevent constipation in their children. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of dragon fruit ice cream, Yakult, and dragon fruit ice cream on constipation in preschool children. Method: This study is a quasi-experimental study with two treatment groups. The first treatment group received a combination of dragon fruit ice cream and Yakult, while the second received dragon fruit ice cream alone. The sample consisted of 60 preschool-aged children from a preschool and a community health centre in Kedung Badak Village, Tanah Sareal District, Bogor City, selected purposively. Results: There was effectiveness of the intervention after the administration of dragon fruit ice cream and Yakult (p <0.000) and after the administration of dragon fruit ice cream alone (p<0.003). This study indicates that dragon fruit ice cream is more effective than Yakult in treating constipation in preschool-aged children (p < 0.000). Conclusion: Dragon fruit ice cream and Yakult are more effective than dragon fruit ice cream alone in treating constipation in preschool-aged children.

References

1. Edwards, K. L., Pickard, A., Farrow, C., Haycraft, E., Herle, M., Llewellyn, C., Croker, H., Kininmonth, A., & Blissett, J. (2025). Parental use of structure-based and autonomy support feeding practices with children with avid eating behaviour: an Ecological Momentary Assessment study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-025-01768-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-025-01768-x

2. Hua, J., Williams, G. J., Barnett, A. L., Zhang, J., Jin, H., Xu, M., Chen, J., Zhou, Y., Gu, G., & Du, W. (2022). Association of the Onset of Self-Feeding With Subsequent Suspected Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Prospective Cohort Study in China. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.818771 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.818771

3. Chiong, T. X. B., Tan, M. L. N., Lim, T. S. H., Quak, S. H., & Aw, M. M. (2024). Selective Feeding—An Under-Recognised Contributor to Picky Eating. Nutrients, 16(21), 3608. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213608 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213608

4. I. Mohamad, Raising Healthy, Intelligent, and Happy Children. Jakarta: Bestari, 2015.

5. Health Development Policy Agency. (2023). Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023. Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia.. Online. Available: https://www.badankebijakan.kemkes.go.id/hasil-ski-2023/

6. Darmawan, E. S., Kusuma, D., Permanasari, V. Y., Amir, V., Tjandrarini, D. H., & Dharmayanti, I. (2023). Beyond the Plate: Uncovering Inequalities in Fruit and Vegetable Intake across Indonesian Districts. Nutrients, 15(9), 2160. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092160 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092160

7. Maghfuroh, L. (2018). The role of parents in the occurrence of constipation in preschool children. Jurnal Kebidanan Dan Keperawatan Aisyiyah, 13(1), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.31101/jkk.413 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31101/jkk.413

8. Maghfiroh, L. H., Arif Tsani, A. F., Dieny, F. F., Adi Murbawani, E., & Purwanti, R. (2021). The Effectiveness Of Nutrition Education Through Socio-Dramatic Method To Vegetable &Amp; Fruit Knowledge And Consumption In 5-6 Years Old Children. Media Gizi Indonesia, 16(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.20473/mgi.v16i1.1-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20473/mgi.v16i1.1-9

9. Herawati, H. D., Anggraeni, A. S. N., Pebriani, N., Pratiwi, A. M., & Siswati, T. (2021). Edukasi gizi menggunakan media booklet dengan atau tanpa konseling terhadap pengetahuan orangtua dan konsumsi sayur dan buah anak prasekolah di wilayah urban. Jurnal Gizi Klinik Indonesia, 18(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.22146/ijcn.63338 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/ijcn.63338

10. Arini, H. R. B., Hadju, V., Thomas, P., & Ferguson, M. (2021). Nutrient and Food Intake of Indonesian Children Under 5 Years of Age: A Systematic Review. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 34(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395211041001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395211041001

11. Isral, Z., Malaka, R., & Hajrawati, H. (2023). Physical properties of ice cream by dragon fruits addition with a different egg type emulsifier. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2628, p. 050025). AIP Publishing. Proceedings Of The 4th International Conference Of Animal Science And Technology (Icast 2021). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0144067 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0144067

12. Farikha, I. N., Anam, C., & Widowati, E. (2013). Pengaruh jenis dan konsentrasi penstabil alami terhadap karakteristik fisikokimia sari buah naga merah (Hylocereus polyrhizus) selama penyimpanan. Jurnal Teknosains Pangan, 2(1), 30–38. https://jurnal.uns.ac.id/teknosains-pangan/article/view/4206/3632

13. 13 Singh, J., Nigam, R., & Katiyar, H. (2024). A review on nutritional and medicinal potential of dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus). International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research, 8(11), 214–218. https://doi.org/10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i11c.2837 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i11c.2837

14. 14 Hadi, D. A. I., & Purbasari, D. (2023). Characteristics Of Red Dragon Juice (Hylocereus polyrhizus L) with Different CMC Concentrations In Cold Storage. Protech Biosystems Journal, 3(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.31764/protech.v3i1.16382 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31764/protech.v3i1.16382

15. 15 Yang, T.-H., Ou, C.-H., Yang, M.-S., Lee, Y.-C., & Yeh, L.-R. (2011). Preoperative embolization of carotid body tumor by direct percutaneous intratumoral injection of N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue assisted with balloon protection technique. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, 74(2), 91–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcma.2011.01.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcma.2011.01.018

16. 16 Ambarita, E. M., Siti, M., & Nurdin, N. M. (2014). Hubungan asupan serat dan air dengan pola defekasi anak sekolah dasar di Kota Bogor. Jurnal Gizi dan Pangan, 9(1), 13–20. https://journal.ipb.ac.id/jgizipangan/article/view/8257

17. 17 Djurijanto, F., Lin, S.-H., Vo, N.-P., Le, N. Q. K., Nguyen-Hoang, A., Shen, S.-C., Wu, C.-H., Chen, J.-Y., & Nguyen, N. T. K. (2024). Prevalence and determinants of constipation in children in Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine, 71, 102578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102578 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102578

18. 18 Cho, Y. S., Lee, Y. J., Shin, J. E., Jung, H.-K., Park, S.-Y., Kang, S. J., Song, K. H., Kim, J.-W., Lim, H. C., Park, H. S., Kim, S.-J., Cha, R. R., Bang, K. B., Bang, C. S., Yim, S. K., Ryoo, S.-B., Kye, B. H., Ji, W. B., … Choi, M. (2023). 2022 Seoul Consensus on Clinical Practice Guidelines for Functional Constipation. Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 29(3), 271–305. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm23066 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm23066

19. 19 Mulhem, E., Khondoker, F., & Kandiah, S. (2022). Constipation in children and adolescents: Evaluation and treatment. American Family Physician, 105(5), 469–478. Retrieved October 1, 2025, from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2022/0500/p469.html

20. 20 Tran, D. L., & Sintusek, P. (2023). Functional constipation in children: What physicians should know. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 29(8), 1261–1288. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v29.i8.1261. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v29.i8.1261

21. 21 Claudina, I., Rahayuning, D. P., & Kartini, A. (2018). The relationship between dietary fiber and fluid intake and the incidence of functional constipation in adolescents at Kesatrian 1 Senior High School, Semarang. Journal of Public Health, 6(1), 486–495. https://doi.org/10.14710/jkm.v6i1.19950

22. 22 Huo, J., Wu, L., Lv, J., Cao, H., & Gao, Q. (2022). Effect of fruit intake on functional constipation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and crossover studies. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.1018502 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.1018502

23. 23 Ioniță-Mîndrican, C.-B., Ziani, K., Mititelu, M., Oprea, E., Neacșu, S. M., Moroșan, E., Dumitrescu, D.-E., Roșca, A. C., Drăgănescu, D., & Negrei, C. (2022). Therapeutic Benefits and Dietary Restrictions of Fiber Intake: A State of the Art Review. Nutrients, 14(13), 2641. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132641 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132641

24. 24 Pansai, N., Detarun, P., Chinnaworn, A., Sangsupawanich, P., & Wichienchot, S. (2023). Effects of dragon fruit oligosaccharides on immunity, gut microbiome, and their metabolites in healthy adults – A randomized double-blind placebo controlled study. Food Research International, 167, 112657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112657

25. 25 Lim, K. G., & Ling, C. V. (2021). The effect of Hylocereus polyrhizus (red dragon fruit) on whole gut transit time of young Malaysian adults. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 27(1), 153–158. https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2020-0100 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2020-0100

26. 26 Chen, S.-Y., Xu, C.-Y., Mazhar, M. S., & Naiker, M. (2024). Nutritional Value and Therapeutic Benefits of Dragon Fruit: A Comprehensive Review with Implications for Establishing Australian Industry Standards. Molecules, 29(23), 5676. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29235676 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29235676

27. 27 Pansai, N., Detarun, P., Chinnaworn, A., Sangsupawanich, P., & Wichienchot, S. (2023). Effects of dragon fruit oligosaccharides on immunity, gut microbiome, and their metabolites in healthy adults – A randomized double-blind placebo controlled study. Food Research International, 167, 112657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112657 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112657

28. 28 National Development Planning Agency. (2012). Strengthening food security and improving nutrition based on self-reliance and local wisdom (The 10th National Workshop on Food and Nutrition). National Development Planning Agency.

29. 29 Salvatore, S., Battigaglia, M. S., Murone, E., Dozio, E., Pensabene, L., & Agosti, M. (2023). Dietary Fibers in Healthy Children and in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Practical Guide. Nutrients, 15(9), 2208. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092208 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092208

30. 30 Hillemeier, C. (1995). An Overview of the Effects of Dietary Fiber on Gastrointestinal Transit. Pediatrics, 96(5), 997–999. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.96.5.997 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.96.5.997

31. Boilesen, S. N., Dias, F. C., Tahan, S., Melli, L. C. F. L., & de Morais, M. B. (2021). Fluid intake and urinary osmolality in pediatric patients with functional constipation. European Journal of Nutrition, 60(8), 4647–4655. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02657-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02657-2

32. Plaza-Diaz, J., Ruiz-Ojeda, F. J., Gil-Campos, M., & Gil, A. (2019). Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics. Advances in Nutrition, 10, S49–S66. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmy063 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmy063

33. Kucuksezer, U. C., Aktas Cetin, E., Esen, F., Tahrali, I., Akdeniz, N., Gelmez, M. Y., & Deniz, G. (2021). The Role of Natural Killer Cells in Autoimmune Diseases. Frontiers in Immunology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.622306 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.622306

34. Howard, E. E., Margolis, L. M., Fussell, M. A., Rios, C. G., Meisterling, E. M., Lena, C. J., Pasiakos, S. M., & Rodriguez, N. R. (2022). Effect of High-Protein Diets on Integrated Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis before Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Nutrients, 14(3), 563. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030563 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030563

35. Tabbers, M. M., DiLorenzo, C., Berger, M. Y., Faure, C., Langendam, M. W., Nurko, S., Staiano, A., Vandenplas, Y., & Benninga, M. A. (2014). Evaluation and Treatment of Functional Constipation in Infants and Children. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 58(2), 258–274. https://doi.org/10.1097/mpg.0000000000000266 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000000266

36. Taillie, L. S., Busey, E., Stoltze, F. M., & Dillman Carpentier, F. R. (2019). Governmental policies to reduce unhealthy food marketing to children. Nutrition Reviews, 77(11), 787–816. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuz021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuz021

37. Nissa, R. S. L. (2021). 7 Manfaat buah naga untuk kesehatan, lengkap dengan info kandungan nutrisi. Suara.com. https://www.suara.com/health/2021/11/15/160105/7-manfaat-buah-naga-untuk-kesehatan-lengkap-dengan-info-kandungan-nutrisi

38. Ariffin, A., Bakar, J., Tan, C., Rahman, R., Karim, R., & Loi, C. (2009). Essential fatty acids of pitaya (dragon fruit) seed oil. Food Chemistry, 114(2), 561–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.09.108 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.09.108

39. Sukowati, L. E. B., Fauziyah, R. N., Moviana, Y., Hapsari, A. I., & Mulyo, G. P. E. (2023). Egg Roll Tape Ketan Hitam Buah Naga Sebagai Alternatif Makanan Selingan Tinggi Serat Dan Antioksidan. Jurnal Gizi Dan Dietetik, 2(1), 46–59. https://doi.org/10.34011/jgd.v2i1.1295 DOI: https://doi.org/10.34011/jgd.v2i1.1295

40. Hapsari, A. I., & Widartika, W. (2025). Pengaruh Imbangan Tape Ketan Hitam Dan Buah Naga Merah Terhadap Mutu Organoleptik Pada Snack Bar Diabetes Melitus. Jurnal Riset Kesehatan Poltekkes Depkes Bandung, 17(1), 72–80. https://doi.org/10.34011/juriskesbdg.v17i1.2821 DOI: https://doi.org/10.34011/juriskesbdg.v17i1.2821

41. Migani, M., Vambe, K., Maisva, R. J., Cavalieri, F., Bellavista, C., Dzagonga, T., Chipuriro, I., Chikwasha, V., & Matsvimbo, P. F. (2025). Optimizing health workforce performance in reduced resources settings to sustain continuous improvement of patient outcomes: a retrospective, serial, cross-sectional analysis of a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach, with special focus on maternal and neonatal health. Healthcare in Low-Resource Settings, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/hls.2025.12999 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/hls.2025.12999

42. Parekh, R., Hammond, B. R., Jr., & Chandradhara, D. (2024). Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation Improves Dynamic Visual and Cognitive Performance in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study. Advances in Therapy, 41(4), 1496–1511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-024-02785-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-024-02785-1

43. Huang, H., Wang, Meng, Guo, Z., Wu, D., Wang, Hanyue, Jia, Y., Liu, Honghui, Ding, J., & Peng, J. (2021). Rutaecarpine alleviates acute pancreatitis in mice and AR42J cells by suppressing the MAPK and NF‐κB signaling pathways via calcitonin gene‐related peptide. Phytotherapy Research, 35(11), 6472–6485. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7301 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7301

Downloads

Published

2026-02-19

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Effectiveness of dragon fruit ice cream with Yakult in relieving constipation among preschool children. (2026). Scifood, 20(1), 106-118. https://doi.org/10.5219/scifood.71

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.