Sustainable Iodized Salt Fortification Reduces the Risk of Underweight Among Under-Five Children

Abstract

Objective: Underweight is related to many factors including family socioeconomic factors. Stunting is defined as early-life linear growth retardation that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, decreased physical, neurodevelopmental, and economic capacity. Underweight is more common in stunted children than in wasting/thin children. The purpose of this study is to examine the risk factors for underweight in under-five children in the stunting locus area, West Java, Indonesia   Method: The study used a cross-sectional study design from May to August 2023 and involved 309 under five children who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data used includes the household socioeconomic factors, hygiene and sanitation factors, and children characteristics. The dependent variable was the nutritional status of children as measured by the weight-for-age index. The children were classified as underweight if their z-score was less than -2 standard deviation (< -2 SD). Bivariate analysis employed the chi-square test. Multiple logistic regression test was used for multivariate analysis with a significance value <0.05.   Results: Results showed that 20.4% of children were underweight. Logistic regression test showed that the usage of less iodized salt raised the risk of underweight in children (OR: 1.789; 95% CI:1.004-3.218), while low father's education increased the risk of underweight (OR: 1.895; 95% CI: 1.070-3.354).   Conclusion: Local government support of sustainable iodized salt fortification is required, as is the inclusion of social aspects of the family and gender in the implementation of nutrition programs.