Factors Associated with Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) in Pregnant Women: A Study in North Gorontalo Regency, 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with the incidence of chronic energy deficiency (CED) in pregnant women in North Gorontalo Regency in 2023. The sample for this study was selected using a random sampling method, resulting in 115 respondents from the Ilangata Health Center area, 80 respondents from the Monano Health Center area, and 55 respondents from the Molingkapoto Health Center area. The independent variables in this study included the age of the pregnant women, maternal occupation, parity, infectious diseases, economic status, and energy and protein intake, as well as the impact of local Supplementary Feeding (PMT) programs. The results showed that the majority of respondents had insufficient energy intake but adequate protein intake. Most did not experience infectious diseases, had a monthly income of more than Rp. 2,000,000, had no children, had a height of over 145 cm, and gained 6 kg during pregnancy. Additionally, they infrequently used health insurance, lived far from the health center, and experienced chronic energy deficiency.