eng Enviro Research Publishers Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal 2347-467X 2322-0007 2026-08-31 14 2 837 855 10.12944/CRNFSJ.14.2.9 26778 article Ali Khomsan 1 Dzakiyyatul Fikrah ‘Arifah 2 Nabila Sukma Priyatnasari 1 Arrumaisha Khansa Kirana Puspaindria 1 Jennifer Handaja 3 Yunita Purnama Sari 3 Division of Applied Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia Nutrition Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia Nutrition, Health, and Wellness, PT Nestlé Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia Medical Affairs & Scientific Engagement, PT Nestlé Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia Batang District Health Office, Batang, Central Java, Indonesia Batang District Office of Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning, Batang, Central Java, Indonesia Underweight children face high risks of growth disorders. While food intervention and caregiver education are common, multivariable assessments controlling for baseline status and infection remain scarce. To evaluate changes in mother’s nutritional knowledge, dietary intake, and toddler weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) following a six-month combined milk–egg intervention and mother’s nutrition education in underweight toddlers. A quasi-experimental, single-group pre–post study was conducted among 276 underweight toddlers aged 12–48 months across three districts (Pasuruan, Karawang, Batang). The intervention provided daily milk and egg provision alongside bimonthly nutrition education. Mother’s knowledge, 24-hour dietary intake, and anthropometry were collected at baseline and endline. Multivariable ANCOVA was performed to identify independent predictors of endline WAZ while controlling for covariates. Following the intervention, mother’s nutritional knowledge scores increased significantly by 18.5% (p< 0.001). Total animal-source protein intake increased to 22.4 ± 9.0 g (p< 0.001), driven by high compliance to milk and egg consumption. Toddler WAZ scores showed positive trajectories, with 29% of participants shifting from underweight to normal status. In the adjusted ANCOVA model (R² = 0.288), baseline WAZ (B = 0.680, p < 0.001), maternal knowledge (B = 0.003, p = 0.030), and animal-source protein intake (B = 0.006, p = 0.051) were positively associated with endline WAZ. Conversely, acute respiratory infection (ARI) duration exhibited a significant negative association with growth (B = -0.021, p < 0.001). Regional district differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.413). A six-month package of milk–egg intervention and mother’s nutrition education was associated with improved mother’s knowledge, increased animal protein intake, and toddler weight gain. However, without a parallel control group, these growth trajectories cannot be definitively isolated from secular trends, seasonal variations, regression to the mean, or concurrent health activities. This represents a promising preliminary community model. https://www.foodandnutritionjournal.org/volume14number2/effect-of-milk-egg-intervention-and-nutrition-education-on-knowledge-diet-quality-and-nutritional-status-of-underweight-toddlers-a-quasi-experimental-study/ Egg Intervention Milk Nutrition Education Toddler Underweight