Breaking the Cycle of Stunted Growth: Identifying Key Factors in Indonesian Children Using Indonesia Family Survey (IFLS) 2007 and 2014 Data

Abstract Background Malnutrition is a significant global health issue, with stunting being a primary cause of death in children under the age of 5 worldwide. Despite efforts to address malnutrition and hunger, many people in underdeveloped countries continue to face challenges related to food security. The direct cause of stunting is inadequate food intake, but underlying causes include lack of education, poverty, and social and cultural reasons. Methods This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with stunting among children aged 24–60 months in Indonesia using cross-sectional data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) 2 and 5. Child factors, maternal factors, father factors, household factors, and community factors were analyzed. The stunting variable was measured using the Z-Score calculation of the child's height and age based on the child's gender. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to analyze the data. Results The study found that child age, low birth weight, incomplete antenatal care, poor health sanitation, provision of complementary food, and absence of the Mother and Child Health Book or Health Card were significantly associated with stunting. The findings suggest that targeted interventions are needed to improve maternal nutrition, promote exclusive breastfeeding, enhance access to healthcare and sanitation, and increase household expenditure on animal-source and non-grain foods to reduce the prevalence of stunting among Indonesian children. Conclusions The study highlights the importance of further research to identify additional factors contributing to stunting and develop effective interventions to address this crucial public health issue. It also emphasizes the need for more comprehensive solutions to address food-related problems in underdeveloped countries, including improved access to nutritious foods, better healthcare, and increased education on healthy eating habits. Addressing malnutrition and stunting in children is crucial for improving child health outcomes and reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases later in life.