Abstract

Infants are at higher risk of iron and zinc deficiency because of their rapid growth and higher iron and zinc needs. The infants’ iron and zinc status are directly affected by their dietary intake. The aims of this study were to measure the average and the deficit of iron and zinc intake in infants aged 6 – 11.months in Kelurahan Jati Cempaka Kota Bekasi, 2014. The research was conducted in 10 Integrated Health Service in Kelurahan Jati Cempaka, Bekasi City, 2014. Eighty pairs of infants and mothers were selected as samples. Infants’ intake were assessed by 2 x 24 hours non-consecutive dietary recall. Independent T test analysis were conducted to identify the differences in iron and zinc intake between underweight infant and infant with normal nutritional status. Analysis showed that iron and zinc the total of average of breastfeeding infants were 2,3 ± 1,2 mg/day and 1,7 ± 0,7 mg/day. Iron and zinc The average deficit of of breastfeeding infants were 4,7 ± 1,2 mg/day and 1,3  ± 0,7 mg/day. There was significant difference on the average of iron intake between underweight infant and infants with normal nutritional status. But there was no significant difference on the zinc intake. However zinc intake the average of of underweight infant was lower than the normal infant with normal nutritional status. Nutrition counseling about good complementary feeding practice to the mothers of infants is needed, especially complementary food from animal source. Multi micro nutrient supplementations to the infants need to be considered, regarding low consumption of complementary food from animal source.