The association between protein intake and feeding practice with stunting in children aged 24-59 months

Abstract

Introduction: Stunting is a growth disorder caused by prolonged malnutrition, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life. It is diagnosed by assessing a child’s height for age. This study aims to analyze respondent characteristics and examine the association between family income, feeding practices, protein intake, and stunting in toddlers aged 24-59 months. Method: This cross-sectional study involved 171 toddlers aged 24-59 months in the Koto Mudik IV Health Center area, Pesisir Selatan Regency. Participants were selected using proportional random sampling. Family expenditure data were gathered using the Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME) questionnaire, while feeding practices were assessed with the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ). Protein intake was calculated based on daily consumption and compared to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Stunting was determined using height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) according to WHO standards, with a HAZ score below -2 Standard Deviations (SD) classified as stunting. Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square test, significant (p < 0.05). Results: The study found that 34.5% of toddlers were stunted, 59.1% had families earning below the Provincial Minimum Wage, 56.1% had poor feeding practices, and 31.6% had insufficient protein intake. Additionally, 56.1% of fathers and 53.2% of mothers had completed secondary education, while most fathers (66.7%) were farmers and mothers (79.5%) were homemakers. Significant associations were observed between stunting and family income (p=0.017), feeding practices (p=0.007), and protein intake (p=0.002). Conclusion: Family income, feeding practices, and protein intake significantly influence stunting. Increasing animal protein consumption may help reduce stunting prevalence.