Nutritional Factors Affecting Stunting Among Toddlers

Background: Stunting is one of the most severe nutritional challenges in Indonesia. In 2020, Malang Regency recorded a stunting prevalence of 12%, with the Gondanglegi sub-district having 942 stunted toddlers. To address this issue and promote optimal toddler nutrition, the administration of colostrum, exclusive breastfeeding, and complementary feeding has been recommended. However, inappropriate colostrum administration, exclusive breastfeeding, and complementary feeding practices may exacerbate the risk of stunting in toddlers. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the factors that cause stunting in toddlers based on the behavior of meeting nutritional needs in the Gondanglegi sub-district, Malang Regency. Methods: A total of 136 toddlers aged 6 to 59 months were divided into two equal groups for the case-control analysis at Ketawang and Gondanglegi Primary Health Centers in the Gondanglegi sub-district. The study gathered weight and height measurements, conducted a questionnaire-based interview, and recorded a 24-hour food recall to collect relevant data. To ascertain the factors that influence stunting, the Chi-square analysis was used, employing a significance level of 0.05. To perform multivariate analysis, logistic regression was applied to the data. Results: Colostrum administration, exclusive breastfeeding, and complementary feeding were linked to stunting in bivariate analysis (p<0.05). According to a multivariate analysis, exclusive breastfeeding (OR=4.8) is strongly associated with stunting among toddlers in the Gondanglegi sub-district, Malang Regency, Indonesia. Conclusions: Breast milk contains many nutrients and antibodies protecting babies from infection by reducing the duration and severity of illness that can lead to chronic malnutrition and stunting.