SIKAP AFEKTIF IBU TERHADAP IKAN LAUT NYATA MENINGKATKAN APRESIASI ANAK MENGONSUMSI IKAN LAUT

Abstract

The relationship of mother’s attitude towards specific food consumption is known to influence children’s attitude and eating behavior. Fish consumption is critical towards children development, such as brain development and overall physical health. The objectives of this research were to elaborate the determinants of children’s appreciation for consuming fish or attitude towards consuming fish. This cross-sectional study was conducted in two different locations in Central Java in a coastal and in a non-coastal area. There are 248 students from the fifth and sixth grades of elementary schools participating as subjects, which is the same as that of their mothers. Observations and interviews were carried out using standardized questionnaires to describe the mother and children relationship that determined children’s appreciation for consuming fish by using path analysis. The results showed that location of residence namely coastal area, family collective eating pattern, mother’s affective attitude towards fish and mother’s higher education significantly improved children appreciation for consuming fish. However, cognitive attitude and conduct to make fish available in family menu did not contribute significantly to children appreciation for consuming fish. It can be concluded that even though mother understands the benefits of fish and makes fish available in family menu, when children unable to feel her preference towards fish, children will not appreciate to consume. Therefore, mother’s preference towards fish needs special considerations, since it positively influence children’s appreciation for consuming fish, which will contribute importantly to children’s well-being.