The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among children aged 0-2 years living in a health center region and the effects of health education applied to their mothers. The first step of the study was cross-sectional and the second was interventional. The sample size was determined as 643, and 618 of them (96.1%) were reached. The mothers completed a 76-item questionnaire. The children’s weights and heights were measured, and World Health Organization references were used to evaluate malnutrition. Malnutrition prevalence was determined as 2.2% (according to weight or height). Training sessions significantly influenced the difference from median values after six months (p=0.001). After one year, the effect of training remained, but the difference was not significant (p=0.25).

Keywords: anne sütü, ek besin, malnütrisyon, sağlık eğitimi.