Effectiveness of dragon fruit ice cream with Yakult in relieving constipation among preschool children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5219/scifood.71Keywords:
dragon fruit, ice cream, constipation, preschool children, YakultAbstract
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.
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