Child Stunting Research Articles

Counseling Regarding Stunting Prevention in Toddlers

Stunting is a serious challenge because it can hinder a child's growth and development. This condition is triggered by malnutrition, repeated infections, and lack of adequate psychosocial stimulation, and is characterized by the child's height being below the appropriate standard. The main causes of stunting are poor parenting patterns, unhealthy eating patterns for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, lack of nutritional and protein intake, and children's high vulnerability to disease. This community service activity was carried out in Sidoharjo Village – I Pasar Miring, Pagar Merbau District, Deli Serdang Regency with a total of 26 participants. The aim of this activity is to provide education regarding stunting prevention in Sidoharjo Village – I Pasar Miring. The main target of this counseling is mothers who have children under five. Implementation of this activity involves collaboration with village officials and village midwives. The method used was presentation of material through lectures and giving leaflets. The material presented includes the concept of stunting, its causes, symptoms, and how to prevent it, including information regarding the contents of my plate. The results of this activity show an increase in participants' understanding of stunting, its causes, symptoms and how to prevent it. In addition, there is increased awareness in dealing with the symptoms of stunting, with the hope of reducing the risk of stunting in children. It is hoped that in the future, activities like this will continue to be carried out so that stunting in toddlers can be avoided.

Analysis of Policies and Strategies to Lower Childhood Stunting in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Analysis of Policies and Strategies to Lower Childhood Stunting in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Prevalence and factors contributing to stunted growth in young children of Khordha district, Odisha: A cross-sectional study.

Stunting, indicating chronic malnutrition in children, remains a pressing concern globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. India, despite substantial efforts, continues to grapple with high rates of stunting, impacting child development and health outcomes. Understanding the multifaceted factors contributing to stunting is crucial for targeted interventions and policy formulation. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Balipatana, Khordha district, Odisha, India among 400 children. A survey employing structured questionnaires and WHO Anthropometric guidelines for data collection was used. Statistical analyses including Chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used to uncover significant associations. The study revealed a stunting prevalence of 28% among children under five, with 7% severe and 21% moderate stunting. Regression analysis revealed key risk factors included low birth weight (1.5-2.5 kg), parental illiteracy, lower household income (Rs. 1000-15000), inadequate toilet facilities, and specific drinking water sources. The findings align with global concerns about stunting, emphasizing the complex interplay of socioeconomic and environmental factors. Interventions targeting parental education, household economic status, and improving sanitation and drinking water facilities are imperative. By addressing these factors, focused efforts can be made to reduce childhood stunting, ensuring a healthier future for the nation's children.

THE RIGHTS OF STUNTED CHILDREN TO HEALTH SERVICES IN DONGGALA DISTRICT

Children are a gift from God Almighty, whose dignity needs to be protected and their rights guaranteed to grow and develop by their nature. Child health problems in terms of nutrition are one of the priorities of the United Nations. Stunting cases are cases of toddlers who have a length or height that is less than the WHO child growth standards. Article 6 paragraph (1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child reads "States Parties subscribe to the inherent right of every child to life". The right to health is one of the rights inherent in children and adults. One of the Health Rights for children is the fulfillment of children's nutrition and nutrition, so as not to cause stunting of children. SSGI data from Donggala Regency includes districts that have high stunting cases, with a stunting rate in 2023 of 32.4%. This paper aims to find out and analyze the extent of the convention's implementation on the right of stunting children to health services, the factors that cause the high stunting rate in Donggala Regency, and efforts to provide health services for stunting children.

Acceptance Testing of Sate Lilit PAHU (Patin Fish and Tofu) Modification According to Infant and Child Feeding Principles as an Alternative to Prevent Stunting

Stunting for children under the age of 5 years is caused by long-term protein deficiency and it is a public health problem in Indonesia. Patin fish is rich in protein, selenium and taurine, which help stimulate the growth and development of children. The aim of study was to assess the acceptability of thigh skewers (made with Patin fish and tofu) as a potential alternative to prevent stunting in infants and children, based on the principles of proper nutrition. Experimental study was conducted on a control group and three treatment groups. Organoleptic test was conducted among 25 panelists by using indicators of color, taste, aroma and texture. The average distribution of formulas for SLT 0 (3.73), SLT 1 (3.91), SLT 2 (3.57), SLT 3 (2.85). The most preferred formula was SLT 1. The SLT 1 consisted of 70 grams of Patin fish and 30 grams of tofu. The protein content of one serving of Sate wrapped around the thigh (Patin fish and tofu) is adequate to meet the protein requirements of toddlers. It providing 7.55 g of protein per snack, with a protein energy ratio of 24.61% and energy density of 3.62.

Students care about stunting in children: Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia community service program in Karawang Village Cianjur Regency

Students care about stunting in children: Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia community service program in Karawang Village Cianjur Regency

The Relationship Between Dietary Diversity And The Risk Of Stunting In Young Children In Indonesia

Introduction: Stunting, a form of chronic malnutrition, remains a significant public health issue in Indonesia, with high prevalence rates among young children. Dietary diversity has been identified as a crucial factor influencing the nutritional status and risk of stunting in this population. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary diversity and the risk of stunting in young children in Indonesia. Materials & Methods: Literature searches were conducted on electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Articles that meet the inclusion criteria will be analyzed narratively. Results: The findings demonstrate a significant inverse relationship between dietary diversity and the risk of stunting. Children with higher dietary diversity were found to have a lower likelihood of being stunted compared to those with lower dietary diversity. The results also suggest that dietary diversity can serve as a proxy indicator for nutrient adequacy in this context. Conclusions: Promoting increased dietary diversity among young children and their mothers emerges as a key strategy to address the high prevalence of stunting in Indonesia. Interventions focusing on improving access to and consumption of a diverse range of nutritious foods, such as nutrition education, food production diversification, and food distribution programs, are recommended to contribute to the reduction of stunting in the country.

Determinants of stunting among under-five children: Evidence from Cambodian Demographic and Health Survey 2021-2022.

Epidemiological and nutritional modifications are causing an increase in stunting in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), which will eventually result in juvenile diseases and mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the influential factors contributing to stunting among under-five children in Cambodia. A secondary dataset consisting of 3268 under-five children was extracted from the latest Cambodian Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS)-2021/2022 dataset. The Chi-square test and Boruta algorithm were used for covariate selection, and logistic regression approaches were used to determine the influence of demographic, socioeconomic and other factors on the presence of stunting. Findings revealed that about 21% of under-five children were stunted, and the prevalence of stunting was higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The prevalence of child stunting was lower in families with highly educated parents. A child whose father had a secondary education had 0.71 times lower (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.520-0.969) chance of stunting than a child whose father had no education. Findings revealed that Ratnak Kiri, Mondul Kiri, Stung Treng, Pursat and Kampot had a greater prevalence of stunting than other places, ranging from 27.11% to 35.70%, whereas Banteay Meanchey, Phnom Penh and Kandal had the lowest rates, ranging from 12.80% to 16.00%. Results of the Boruta algorithm and logistic regression suggested that under-five stunting is significantly influenced by factors such as the child's age, size at birth, mother's age at first birth, mother's body mass index (BMI), father's educational status, cooking fuel, and wealth index. It is necessary to take initiatives for reducing the prevalence of stunted children prioritising the identified factors that ultimately help to reduce the burden of child health. The authors believed that the findings of this study will be helpful for policymakers in designing the appropriate policies and actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by reducing stunting among under-five children in Cambodia.

Land ownership and nutrition in Nepal

AbstractThis paper provides empirical evidence on the relationship between women's land ownership and nutritional outcomes in Nepal. Using three waves of the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey and employing a bounding technique by Oster, I estimate bounded treatment effects of land ownership. The results show that women's land ownership is associated with a reduction in the incidence of childhood underweight and stunting and an increase in women's body mass index. Additionally, I find the selection on unobservable characteristics has to be larger than the selection on observable characteristics to drive these estimates to zero, suggesting that land ownership credibly improves nutritional outcomes. Furthermore, heterogeneous results show that the negative association between land ownership and childhood nutritional status is more prominent in male children and children from the Brahmin caste. Similarly, the negative relationship between land ownership and underweight in women is more pronounced in women employed in agriculture and rural areas. While I argue that landownership improves nutrition, these estimates are sensitive to the assumptions made.

Household food and water insecurity and its association with diarrhoea, respiratory illness, and stunting in Ecuadorian children under 5 years.

Household food and water insecurity has been previously associated with adverse health consequences in children. However, these relationships are understudied in middle-income Latin American populations such as in Ecuador, where a high prevalence of food and water insecurity has been reported. Using cross-sectional data from 2018 Ecuadorian National Health and Nutrition Survey, we examined the association of household food insecurity (HFI), household water insecurity (HWI), and concurrent HFI-HWI with diarrhoea, respiratory illness (RI), and stunting in 20,510 children aged ≤59 months. HFI was measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. HWI was defined when households responded negatively to one or more of four drinking water indicators. Maternal caregivers reported on child diarrhoea and RI episodes during the previous 2 weeks. Measured length or height was used to assess stunting. We constructed log-binomial regression models to estimate the associations of HFI, HWI, and concurrent HFI-HWI with child outcomes. Moderate-severe HFI was associated with a higher prevalence of diarrhoea (PR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.63) and RI (PR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.47), HWI with a higher prevalence of RI (PR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.22), and concurrent HFI-HWI with a higher prevalence of diarrhoea (PR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.62) and RI (PR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.29, 1.62). Stunting was not associated with HFI, HWI nor concurrent HFI-HWI. These findings suggest that HFI and HWI can independently and jointly act to negatively affect children's health. Policies and interventions aimed at alleviating both food and water insecurity are needed to bring sustained health improvements in Ecuadorian children.

Improved drinking water, healthier children? Evidence from Pakistan

Purpose One of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals is to ensure the availability of improved drinking water for everyone. In this study, we examine the association between access to improved drinking water at the district level and child nutritional outcomes in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approach We employ district-level unbalanced panel data from Pakistan from various rounds of Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Surveys and Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys compiled by the Data4Pakistan, Pakistan District Development Portal. We examine the impact of the percentage of the population in a given district with access to clean drinking water on the percentage of stunted, underweight and wasted children in the district. The analysis proceeds in two steps. In the first step, we explore the spatial distribution of improved drinking water coverage and child development outcomes across districts. In the second step, we study their relationship by employing standard panel estimation methods and controlling for district characteristics.Findings The spatial analysis reveals the large disparity among districts and provinces in terms of improved drinking water coverage and child nutrition. The estimation results indicate that there is a significant association between the accessibility of improved drinking water and child development outcomes. The effect is significant for child stunting and underweight but not for child wasting. The impact appears to be stronger in rural districts. These findings are robust to alternate empirical strategies.Originality/value This is the first such study to examine the provision of improved drinking water at the district level in relation to child developmental outcomes in a developing country context.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2023-0739

Developing a data repository to support interdisciplinary research into childhood stunting: a UKRI GCRF Action Against Stunting Hub protocol paper

IntroductionAs a topic of inquiry in its own right, data management for interdisciplinary research projects is in its infancy. Key issues include the inability of researchers to effectively query diverse...

Relationship Between Sociodemographic Characteristics and the Incidence of Stunting in Toddlers Based on Family Income Stratification

Introduction: The nutritional problem of stunting in Indonesia is known to occur in poor and non-poor families (those above 40% of social and economic welfare levels). Objective: This research was conducted to see the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and the incidence of stunting in children under five based on family income stratification in Palembang City. Method: This research was a quantitative study with research data from 2020. The population in this study were toddlers 24-59 months in Palembang City with a sample of 97 toddlers. The sample in this research was taken by purposive sampling. The analytical method used to see the relationship was using the chi-square test. Result: The results of the study showed that the proportion of stunting was 20.6% with the incidence of stunting in the family income stratification group < IDR 10,000,000 was 26.4% and in the family income stratification group ? IDR 10,000,000 is 13.6%. The results of the analysis show that each independent variable has a p value > ? (0.05), except for the parenting method variable in the income stratification group < IDR 10,000,000 which has a p value < 0.05. Conclusion: Further research needs to be carried out to investigate other factors that were thought to be risk factors for stunting, one of which is environmental factors, infectious diseases and nutritional patterns in children under five.

Stunting Prevention Strategy Through Increasing Community Participation Based on Gender Mainstreaming

This article, "Strategy for Stunting Prevention Through Increasing Community Participation" is based on the "Gender Mainstreaming" Study in Kaliau Village, Sajingan Besar district, Sambas regency. The research uses a qualitative descriptive approach. Our findings indicate that the causes of stunting in children in Kaliau village are inadequate nutrition, low-quality sanitation, poor reproductive health conditions, and decision-making skills, limited health service facilities, relatively low education level of both mothers and fathers and subsequent poor parenting skills. The form of participation carried out by the community is generally vertical in nature, where most child-caring and rearing responsibilities are shouldered by mothers, and fathers' involvement is still very low. We suggest the need to improve educational activities for community health and sanitation, parenting skills, nutritional education on healthy eating patterns for infants, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, and to increase the involvement of men as fathers and posyandu cadres. Furthermore, we need to provide adequate health-service facilities and infrastructure for every community, vitalize the Youth Family Development program (B.K.R.), and improve the coordination among local stakeholders in the area. Lastly, adequate remuneration should be provided for posyandu cadres to help them work more effectively.

Peranan Gizi dalam Pencegahan Penyakit

This study aims to explore the role of nutrition in disease prevention and identify the factors influencing the nutritional status of the population in Indonesia. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this research analyzes scientific literature and secondary data from official sources such as the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the Indonesian Ministry of Health. The analysis results indicate that macro and micronutrients, such as complex carbohydrates, plant-based proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals, play a significant role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The Mediterranean diet and plant-based eating patterns have proven effective in improving health and preventing disease. However, Indonesia faces complex nutritional challenges, including a high prevalence of stunting in children and rising obesity rates in adults. Stunting is primarily caused by limited access to nutritious food and lack of nutritional knowledge, while obesity is associated with high-calorie diets and low physical activity. This study suggests increasing nutrition education, access to nutritious food, and promoting healthy lifestyles as essential steps to address nutritional problems in Indonesia and improve the overall quality of life.

Productive and Reproductive Roles of Women and Associated Factors on the Nutritional Status of Children in Kilindi District, Tanzania

Background: The prevalence of stunting can be caused or lessened by the nature of women's productive and reproductive roles. The objective of this study was to examine the risk factors of child stunting based on the productive and reproductive roles of women among crop farmers and agro-pastoralists in Kilindi District. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 209 crop farmers and 136 agro-pastoralist women with children aged 6–23 months was conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to gather information on household demographics; time allocated for reproductive roles, women's involvement in maize farming and sale of maize produce. Anthropometric measurements were taken to determine the nutritional status of children. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Risk factors of stunting were determined using multivariate logistic regressions. Chi-square was used to determine the relationship between women's involvement in maize farming and the sale of maize in households and stunting. Results: The results from crop farmers revealed that being a male had an increased possibility of stunting by 2.601 times compared to being female (OR = 2.601, 95% CI; 1.302, 5.196). Children aged 13-18 months (OR = 2.820, 95% CI; 1.295, 6.143) and 19-23 months (OR= 4.999, 95% CI; 1.829, 13.664) increased the likelihood of stunting by 2.820 and 4.999 times respectively compared to children aged 6-12 months. Mothers with no formal education augmented the chance of being stunted by 2.212 times compared to mothers with primary education (OR = 2.212, 95% CI; 1.019, 4.799). There is a decreasing probability of children being stunted as time spent on cooking between 21 and 30 hours per week among agro-pastoralist women. Crop farmer women who collected firewood between 11 and 15 hours per week had a 0.205 times lower risk of increasing stunting. Children's age, gender, and mother's level of education all increased the likelihood of stunting among crop farmers. Cooking time (21-30 hours per week) among agro-pastoralists and collection of firewood (11-15 hours per week) among crop farmers had a lower risk of increasing the likelihood of stunting. Nutritional interventions should address maternal education, proper child care, and feeding practices.

Geographical altitude and stunting among children aged under 5 years in India

IntroductionPrevious studies have found positive associations between higher geographical altitude and increased risk of stunting in children under 5 years old, but little evidence exists on this relationship in the...

Occult Amebiasis among Pediatric with Enterocolitis in National Referral Hospital in Indonesia.

Enterocolitis and gastroenteritis remain major health problems, particularly in children living in developing countries. Intestinal protozoa, such as Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis, and Cyclospora, are frequently associated with these conditions. Amebic colitis can cause serious complications, including fulminant necrotizing colitis, toxic megacolon, extraintestinal amebiasis, and stunting in children. The diagnosis of amoebiasis is challenging, relying on microscopic examination, which cannot distinguish E. histolytica from the nonpathogenic E. dispar and E. moshkovskii. Therefore, this study aimed to identify intestinal parasites, particularly Entamoeba, their prevalence, and the clinical characteristics of patients admitted for enterocolitis and gastroenteritis at a tertiary-referral hospital. A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted at a national, tertiary-referral government hospital, in Jakarta. Of the 111 retrieved medical records from hospitalized patients with enterocolitis and gastroenteritis, for which parasitology feces were examined, 54 fecal samples (48.6%) were still available in the parasitology laboratory storage. All fecal samples underwent the following tests: 1) direct stool examination, after staining with 1% Lugol's solution, and using the water-ether concentration method; 2) modified acid-fast staining for coccidian parasites; 3) Jones' culture medium to detect Blastocystis; 4) copro-antigen assay to detect Cryptosporidium and Giardia; and 5) a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to identify Entamoeba. Clinical and demographic data were obtained from the medical records. Largely, patients (44.1%) were from the cohort of young children ≤5 years old, followed by adults aged 19-60 years old (24.3%). Both cohorts exhibited polyparasitism. Intestinal parasites were detected in 17 out of the 54 samples (31.4%). These included 6 (11.1%), 2 (3.7%),5 (9.2%), 3 (5.5%), 2 (3.7%), and 1 (1.8%) samples that were positive for Blastocystis, E dispar, E. histolytica, E. moshkovskii, Cryptosporidium, and Dientamoeba fragilis, respectively. PCR analysis revealed that 10 samples were positive for Entamoeba infection, eight of which originated from pediatric patients. At a national tertiary-referral hospital in Indonesia, Entamoeba infection was the most prevalent parasite among pediatric patients with enterocolitis. E. histolytica and E. moshkovskii were the two main species identified by PCR. Therefore, PCR assays and fecal occult-blood tests are recommended in cases of enterocolitis and gastroenteritis.

Health education lecture method to increase posyandu cadres' knowledge about stunting prevention in children

Introduction: Stunting is a serious health problem in children, especially in developing countries. Sufficient knowledge about stunting prevention is essential for Posyandu cadres, as they play a role in providing information and support to mothers and children in the community. Objective: evaluate the effectiveness of the lecture method in increasing the knowledge of Posyandu cadres about stunting prevention in children. Method: This type of research uses a quantitative approach. In this study, using a group of health posyandu cadres, stunting knowledge was given using the lecture method. The population in the study of cadre mothers was 60 people, with a sample size of 36 people, using purposive sampling. Measuring instruments use questionnaire instruments and analysis results are in the form of descriptive data equipped with tables. Results: based on statistical test wilcoxon test Asymp.Sig. (2-tailed) P Value 0.000 ≤ 0.05 means that there is an increase in knowledge between before and after educational intervention with the lecture method. Conclusion: The lecture method is effective in increasing the knowledge of Posyandu cadres about stunting prevention in children. It is hoped that the results of this study can be the foundation for a broader health education program to overcome the problem of stunting in children in the community.

The Egg Hub Model: A Sustainable and Replicable Approach to Address Food Security and Improve Livelihoods

BackgroundDespite progress in improving living standards and reduced poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition remain a significant issue worldwide. Childhood is a critical time for the intake of protein to support physical and cognitive growth, including animal-source foods like eggs which can effectively mitigate stunting in low- and middle-income countries. In Malawi, high malnutrition rates among women and children represent a significant public health challenge, but high-quality sources such as eggs remain costly, scarce, and rarely consumed by children in Malawi. The Egg Hub model, identified and piloted by local agri-food entrepreneurs and the Sight and Life Foundation in Malawi, tackles the obstacles faced by smallholder farmers, working to increase egg production, enhance availability, and improve consumption within rural communities by supporting small-scale farmers transition from unsustainable and unproductive backyard rearing to small-scale farm through access to high-quality inputs, training, loans, and a guaranteed market for their eggs. ObjectivesThis paper provides a detailed account of the implementation of the pilot of the Egg Hub Model in Malawi including the demand creation process, the impact of the model on producers, consumers, and operators, and the social, economic, and environmental sustainability aspects of the model. MethodsQualitative and quantitative surveys (n = 217 consumers) were used for demand creation and qualitative surveys were used with 15 retailers to determine egg sales. With 16 farmers and the egg hub operator, business metrics, including profits and loss records, were analyzed. ResultsThe pilot of the Egg Hub model in Malawi supported 85 farmers to triple their egg production, allowing their communities to purchase eggs at prices reduced by 40%, benefiting an estimated number of 180,000 rural poor. Egg consumption among the target population increased from an average of 2 to 9 eggs/month and led to reduced egg wastage and better biosecurity, reducing the risk of children’s exposure to chicken feces and infections. The achievements of this Egg Hub in Malawi allowed the model to be replicated in Ethiopia, Peru, and Brazil, producing 40 million eggs annually and benefiting more than half a million consumers. ConclusionThe Egg Hub model is a comprehensive and scalable solution to increase egg supply, address malnutrition and food insecurity, and improve livelihoods. The advantages include centralizing key activities through a community-centered approach, empowering female farmers, increasing access to a highly nutritious food, and economic benefits for farmers and their communities.