Child Feeding Practices and Stunting: A Case-Control Study in Jember Regency of Indonesia

Abstract

Stunting becomes the main nutritional problem which is a consequence of long-term, cumulative inadequacies of health and nutrition. Child feeding practices by good parents can prevent stunting in children from an early age. Child feeding practices include early breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding practice, and frequency of feeding. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of child feeding practices on stunting in children aged 12-36 months in Jember Regency. The sample was selected using a simple random sampling technique, totaling 220 mothers. The data were analyzed using chi-square statistic tests and multiple logistic regression tests. The results of the test discovered that most of the respondents were low educated mothers and low-income families. The significant determinants associated with stunting were exclusive breastfeeding (OR = 3.30; 95%CI 1.85-5.90), complementary feeding practices (OR = 1.86; 95%CI 1.04-3.33), and frequency of feeding (OR = 1.95; 95%CI 1.84-3.51). Exclusive breastfeeding is the major determinant for stunting in toddlers and therefore should be a priority program to improve the nutritional status of children in early ages of life.