Understanding Stunting in Children

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 107 views

Risk Factors for Stunting Incidence in Children 1 - 60 Months Using the Growth Curve of Indonesian Children

Understanding Stunting in Children

Stunting is a condition of failure to grow in children caused by chronic nutritional deficiencies, often associated with poor health conditions and inadequate eating patterns. It is a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries where access to nutritious food, clean water, and healthcare is limited. In Indonesia, stunting is a major issue, with a high prevalence of 37.3% in children under the age of 5, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In Aceh, a province in Indonesia with a high prevalence of stunting, it is essential to identify the risk factors that contribute to this condition in children aged 1 to 60 months.

Research Methodology

This study aimed to identify the risk factors for stunting in children aged 1-60 months in Lawe Alas District, Southeast Aceh, using the growth curve of Indonesian children as a diagnostic tool. A case-control study of 194 subjects was conducted, where children with stunting were compared to those without stunting. The study used consecutive sampling, where children were selected gradually until the desired sample size was achieved. Data collection was carried out through interviews, height measurements, and assessment of children's health conditions.

Results and Analysis

The analysis of the data revealed several significant internal risk factors for the incidence of stunting in children aged 1-60 months. These risk factors include:

Short birth length: Children with short body length have a risk of 2.87 times greater to experience stunting.
Inadequate caloric intake: Inadequate calorie intake is an important risk factor, with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 2.37.
Non-exclusive breastfeeding: History of non-exclusive breastfeeding is a significant risk factor, with an OR of 3.64.
Chronic diarrhea: This factor shows the highest OR, which is 6.56, making it one of the main causes of stunting.
Upper respiratory tract infection (ARI): Having an OR of 3.47, shows that this infection also contributes to stunting.

External risk factors also play a role in the incidence of stunting, including:

Inadequate sanitation: Poor sanitation availability has an OR of 2.98.
Poor drinking water sources: Inadequacy of drinking water sources is indicated by an OR of 2.71.
Low family income and low level of education: Both show risks with an OR of 2.49, 2.98 for fathers and 2.64 for mothers.
Number of family members: Household with more than 4 family members showed little impact on stunting (OR 1.23).

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that chronic diarrhea is the most dominant risk factor for stunting in children aged 1-60 months in Lawe Alas District, Southeast Aceh. Therefore, stunting prevention efforts should be focused on increasing sanitation, access to clean water, and strengthening sufficient nutrition for children. Better knowledge about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and attention to children's health is also very important to prevent stunting and improve the quality of life of children in this region. With a better understanding of this risk factor, preventive steps can be taken to reduce the prevalence of stunting in Aceh and other regions in Indonesia.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improving sanitation and hygiene practices: Efforts should be made to improve sanitation and hygiene practices in the community, including the provision of clean water and proper waste disposal.
Strengthening nutrition programs: Nutrition programs should be strengthened to ensure that children receive adequate nutrition, including exclusive breastfeeding and a balanced diet.
Improving access to healthcare: Access to healthcare should be improved, including the provision of regular health check-ups and treatment for illnesses such as diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infections.
Education and awareness: Education and awareness programs should be implemented to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, proper nutrition, and good hygiene practices.

By implementing these recommendations, it is hoped that the prevalence of stunting in children aged 1-60 months in Lawe Alas District, Southeast Aceh, can be reduced, and the quality of life of children in this region can be improved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Stunting in Children

Q: What is stunting in children?

A: Stunting is a condition of failure to grow in children caused by chronic nutritional deficiencies, often associated with poor health conditions and inadequate eating patterns.

Q: What are the risk factors for stunting in children?

A: The risk factors for stunting in children include:

Short birth length: Children with short body length have a risk of 2.87 times greater to experience stunting.
Inadequate caloric intake: Inadequate calorie intake is an important risk factor, with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 2.37.
Non-exclusive breastfeeding: History of non-exclusive breastfeeding is a significant risk factor, with an OR of 3.64.
Chronic diarrhea: This factor shows the highest OR, which is 6.56, making it one of the main causes of stunting.
Upper respiratory tract infection (ARI): Having an OR of 3.47, shows that this infection also contributes to stunting.

Q: What are the external risk factors for stunting in children?

A: The external risk factors for stunting in children include:

Inadequate sanitation: Poor sanitation availability has an OR of 2.98.
Poor drinking water sources: Inadequacy of drinking water sources is indicated by an OR of 2.71.
Low family income and low level of education: Both show risks with an OR of 2.49, 2.98 for fathers and 2.64 for mothers.
Number of family members: Household with more than 4 family members showed little impact on stunting (OR 1.23).

Q: What is the most dominant risk factor for stunting in children?

A: The most dominant risk factor for stunting in children is chronic diarrhea, with an OR of 5.41.

Q: How can stunting be prevented?

A: Stunting can be prevented by:

Improving sanitation and hygiene practices: Efforts should be made to improve sanitation and hygiene practices in the community, including the provision of clean water and proper waste disposal.
Strengthening nutrition programs: Nutrition programs should be strengthened to ensure that children receive adequate nutrition, including exclusive breastfeeding and a balanced diet.
Improving access to healthcare: Access to healthcare should be improved, including the provision of regular health check-ups and treatment for illnesses such as diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infections.
Education and awareness: Education and awareness programs should be implemented to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, proper nutrition, and good hygiene practices.

Q: What are the consequences of stunting in children?

A: The consequences of stunting in children include:

Reduced cognitive ability: Stunted children may have reduced cognitive ability and lower academic achievement.
Increased risk of chronic diseases: Stunted children may be at increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
Reduced economic productivity: Stunted children may have reduced economic productivity and lower earning potential as adults.

Q: How can parents and caregivers prevent stunting in children?

A: Parents and caregivers can prevent stunting in children by:

Providing exclusive breastfeeding: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life can help prevent stunting.
Ensuring adequate nutrition: Ensuring that children receive adequate nutrition, including a balanced diet and regular meals.
Maintaining good hygiene practices: Maintaining good hygiene practices, including washing hands regularly and providing clean water.
Seeking regular health check-ups: Seeking regular health check-ups and treatment for illnesses such as diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infections.

By understanding the risk factors for stunting and taking steps to prevent it, parents and caregivers can help ensure that children grow and develop to their full potential.