Chronic Energy Deficiency and Low Maternal Education are Dominant Factors associated with Stunting in Children

Abstract

Introduction: In Indonesia, the prevalence of stunting is still tended to be high and early detection of stunting has not taken into the various risk factors that exist. Objective: This research aims to determine the dominant risk factors of stunting in children under five years old in Indonesia. Methods: This research was conducted on 3251 Riskesdas 2018 respondents and analyzed using a complex survey method. Results: The results obtained mothers who suffer from chronic energy deficiency (CED) (aOR: 1.48; 95%CI:1.1-1.97) and low maternal education (aOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.38-2.09) were significantly associated with stunting in children under five years old. Furthermore, the most dominating factor is low educated mothers. Conclusion: Nutritional status during pregnancy and maternal education were dominant factors of stunting in children under five years old in Indonesia. Furthermore, low education is the most influential factor of stunting.