The Effect of Moringa Leaf Powder and Egg Supplementation on Nutritional Status and Appetite: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Undernourished Children

Luti Bilqisthi Putri; Adriyan  Pramono; Siti Fatimah  Muis; Endang  Mahati; Diana Nur Afifah

doi:10.56303/jhnresearch.v5i1.1080

Authors

Luti Bilqisthi Putri Department of Nutrition Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
Adriyan Pramono Department of Nutrition Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
Siti Fatimah Muis Department of Nutrition Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
Endang Mahati Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
Diana Nur Afifah Department of Nutrition Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia

Keywords:

Moringa oleifera, egg supplementation, appetite, nutritional status, undernourished children

Abstract

Undernutrition among children under five remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara Province. According to the 2024 Health Profile of East Nusa Tenggara Province, the prevalence of undernourished (wasted) children in South Central Timor Regency increased from 5.1% in 2019–2020 to 9.7% in 2024, indicating a persistent burden of acute malnutrition. While plant-based, nutrient-dense foods such as Moringa oleifera leaf powder have been widely promoted, evidence on their effectiveness when combined with high–biological-value animal protein, particularly eggs, remains limited. This study aimed to assess the effect of combined moringa leaf powder and egg supplementation on appetite and nutritional status among undernourished children aged 36–59 months. A quasi-experimental study with a control group was conducted from May to July 2025 in the Batuputih Health Center area. Forty undernourished children (weight-for-age Z-score −3 to −2 SD) were allocated to an intervention group (15 g/day moringa leaf powder plus one egg) or a control group (one egg only) for 60 days. Appetite was assessed using the Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ), and nutritional status was evaluated using WHO anthropometric indices Significant improvements in weight-for-age and weight-for-height were observed in both groups (p < 0.05). However, a significant increase in appetite was found only in the intervention group (p = 0.039), while no significant change was observed in height-for-age. The integration of moringa leaf powder with egg-based animal protein effectively improves appetite and short-term nutritional status, supporting weight-for-age and appetite as the most sensitive indicators for short-term nutrition programs, while linear growth requires longer intervention periods.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

UNICEF. The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2021: FAO; 2021.

RI K. Profil Kesehatan Indonesia 2024. Jalan HR. Rasuna Said Blok X-5 Kav 4-9, Jakarta 12950 Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia; 2024.

Kesehatan K, Kesehatan BPdP. RISKESDAS 2018. Jakarta; 2018.

TTS Dk. Profil Kesehatan tahun 2024. 2024.

Cusick SE, Georgieff MK. The role of nutrition in brain development: the golden opportunity of the “first 1000 days”. The Journal of pediatrics. 2016;175:16.

Naila NN, Mahfuz M, Hossain M, Arndt M, Walson JL, Nahar B, Ahmed T. Improvement in appetite among stunted children receiving nutritional intervention in Bangladesh: results from a community-based study. European journal of clinical nutrition. 2021;75(9):1359-67.

Budiono NDP, Has DFS. The effectiveness of moringa leaves extract to prevent stunting at toddlers aged 23-59 months. Science Midwifery. 2025;13(1):67-73.

Tandirau BS, Sagita S, Rante SDT. Pengaruh Pemberian Serbuk Daun Kelor (Moringa Oleifera) terhadap peningkatan status gizi balita di wilayah kerja puskesmas naibonat kabupaten kupang. Cendana Medical Journal. 2020;8(2):156-63.

Rahayu TB, Nurindahsari YAW. Peningkatan status gizi balita melalui pemberian daun kelor (Moringa oleifera). Jurnal Kesehatan Madani Medika. 2018;9(2):87-91.

Sokhela H, Govender L, Siwela M. Complementary feeding practices and childhood malnutrition in South Africa: the potential of Moringa oleifera leaf powder as a fortificant: a narrative review. Nutrients. 2023;15(8):2011.

Gopalakrishnan L, Doriya K, Kumar DS. Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application. Food science and human wellness. 2016;5(2):49-56.

Consultation F. Dietary protein quality evaluation in human nutrition. FAO Food Nutr Pap. 2011;92(1-66):26369006.

Kajuju Malla J, Ochola S, Ogada I, Munyaka A. Effect of Moringa Oleifera fortified porridge consumption on protein and vitamin A status of children with cerebral palsy in Nairobi, Kenya: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS Global Public Health. 2022;2(11):e0001206.

Yadav H, Gaur A, Bansal SC. Effect of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Powder Supplementation in Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition in Gwalior District of Central India: A Randomised Controlled Trial. J Clin Diagn Res. 2022;16:9-14.

Chama GC, Liweleya S, Muchaili L, Mweene BC, Mulamfu S, Siame L, Masenga SK. Sex differences in severe acute malnutrition in children under 5 years in Zambia. PLOS Global Public Health. 2025;5(6):e0004707.

Eunice A, Sarah D. An assessment of the nutritional status of under five children in four districts in the central region of Ghana. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development. 2013;3(11):851-60.

Putri AANY, Febrianta Y. Hubungan Tingkat Pendidikan Orang Tua Terhadap Status Gizi Anak Pada Siswa Kelas V SD Negeri 1 Tambaksogra. JSH: Journal of Sport and Health. 2024;5(2):49-59.

Rahmah SM, Muhsinin M, Sukarlan S, Rahayu SF. Hubungan Tingkat Pendidikan Ibu dan Pola Pemberian Makan dengan Kejadian Stunting di Wilayah Kerja UPT Puskesmas Pekauman Kota Banjarmasin. Jurnal Siti Rufaidah. 2025;3(3):55-69.

Shaputri WE, Dewanto NE. Hubungan antara pendidikan ibu dengan status gizi anak usia 1 tahun 6 bulan sampai 2 tahun di rs sumber waras. Health Information: Jurnal Penelitian. 2023;15:e887.

Zongo U, Zoungrana SL, Savadogo A, Traoré AS. Nutritional and clinical rehabilitation of severely malnourished children with Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf powder in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Food and nutrition sciences. 2013;4(9):991-7.

Zongo U, Savadogo B, Zoungrana SL, Sanou D, Savadogo A, Dicko MH, SababenedyoTraore A. Effect of moringa leaves powder consumption on young children nutritional and serum retinol status in Burkina Faso rural area. Int J Nutr Food Sci. 2018;7(4):148-54.

Irwan Z, Salim A, Adam A. Pemberian cookies tepung daun dan biji kelor terhadap berat badan dan status gizi anak balita di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Tampa Padang. AcTion: Aceh Nutrition Journal. 2020;5(1):45-54.

Cahyaningsih O, Retnaningrum OTD, Zulaika C, editors. The Utilization of Moringa Leaves (Moringa Oleifera) as a Nutritional Supplement in Preventing Stunting in Toddlers: Nutrition Study and the Impact of Routine. Proceedings of International Conference on Health Science, Practice, and Education; 2024.

Fitriani L, Hadju V, Nasir S, Moedjiono AI, Muis M, Taslim NA, et al. Effect of Moringa Oleifera Plus Royal Jelly Capsules in The Gestation Age and Placenta Weight of Newborns in Indonesia. Pharmacognosy Journal. 2024;16(5).

Abd El-Hack ME, Alqhtani AH, Swelum AA, El-Saadony MT, Salem HM, Babalghith AO, et al. Pharmacological, nutritional and antimicrobial uses of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves in poultry nutrition: an updated knowledge. Poultry science. 2022;101(9):102031.

Nastiti AD, Puspitasari RH, Handayani D, Irwansyah FR. The Effect of Moringa Leaf Fortification on Improving the Nutritional Status of Stunting Toddlers in Coastal Areas. Health and Technology Journal (HTechJ). 2025;3(2):180-8.

Leone A, Spada A, Battezzati A, Schiraldi A, Aristil J, Bertoli S. Moringa oleifera seeds and oil: Characteristics and uses for human health. International journal of molecular sciences. 2016;17(12):2141.

Marhaeni LS. Daun kelor (Moringa oleifera) sebagai sumber pangan fungsional dan antioksidan. AGRISIA: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Pertanian. 2021;13(2).

Sakung JM, Asiyah, N., Suryantara., B., Adrianton and Jamaludin. The effects of Moringa oleifera leaves on the nutritional status of children under

five years. Food Research 8 (5) : 319 - 323 (October 2024) 2024;319-323.

Chao HC, Chang YJ, Huang WL. Cut‐off serum zinc concentration affecting the appetite, growth, and nutrition status of undernourished children supplemented with zinc. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2018;33(5):701-10.

Wahyuni W, Medhyna V, Hermalina F. Pengaruh Pemberian Stik Daun Kelor Terhadap Peningkatan Nafsu Makan Dan Berat Badan Balita. Maternal Child Health Care. 2023;5(2):867-75.