Peer-reviewed article
Determinants of Stunting in Toddlers: An Analysis of Social, Economic, and Child-Rearing Factors in the Community
Muti Atun Nafi’ah ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined why toddlers in Indonesia become stunted (too short for their age) by looking at family, economic, and parenting factors. Researchers interviewed mothers, health workers, and community members to understand how stunting develops. The analysis found that stunting results from interconnected causes: cultural practices and weak family support affect how children are cared for, poverty and food shortage limit access to nutrition and healthcare, and parenting practices around breastfeeding and feeding sick children are critical. The researchers conclude that reducing stunting requires addressing poverty, improving parenting knowledge, and making health services more accessible.
Key points
- Parenting practices including breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and care during illness are the most critical determinants of stunting
- Economic constraints, particularly low income and food insecurity, restrict access to adequate nutrition and healthcare services
- Social factors such as cultural norms and limited family support affect caregiving practices
- Environmental conditions and limited utilization of health services further exacerbate stunting risk
- Stunting requires integrated interventions addressing socio-economic inequalities, parenting practices, and health service access
Limitations
This qualitative study describes associations between factors and stunting but does not measure the strength of these relationships or test interventions. The findings are based on community perceptions and may not capture all relevant factors or be generalizable beyond the study setting.
Abstract
Stunting among toddlers remains a critical public health issue due to its long-term impact on cognitive development, productivity, and socio-economic outcomes. This study aims to analyze the determinants of stunting incidence by focusing on social, economic, and parenting factors within the community context. A qualitative approach with a descriptive-exploratory design was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document analysis involving mothers, health workers, and community representatives selected using purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns and relationships among variables. The findings reveal that stunting is influenced by interconnected factors across multiple dimensions. Social factors such as cultural norms and limited family support affect caregiving practices, while economic constraints—particularly low income and food insecurity restrict access to adequate nutrition and healthcare services. Parenting practices, including breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and child care during illness, emerge as the most critical determinants, acting as a pathway through which social and economic conditions influence child growth. Environmental conditions and limited utilization of health services further exacerbate the risk of stunting. In conclusion, stunting is a multidimensional problem requiring integrated interventions that address socio-economic inequalities, strengthen parenting practices, and improve access to health services to achieve sustainable reductions in prevalence