Determinants of concurrent wasting and stunting among children 6 to 23 mo in Indonesia
Lidya Alwina Jokhu1, Ahmad Syauqy1
1Department of Nutrition Science, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia.
Insights
Concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) affects 2.4% of Indonesian children. Risk factors include being male, older age, low birth weight, and rural residence, necessitating comprehensive policy interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health
- Child Development
Background:
- Concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) presents significant detrimental effects on child health.
- Limited research exists on the prevalence and determinants of WaSt, particularly within the Indonesian context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the prevalence of WaSt in Indonesian children aged 6 to 23 months.
- To identify key determinants associated with WaSt in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study utilizing data from the 2021 Indonesia Nutritional Status Survey (INSS).
- Inclusion of 15,641 children aged 6 to 23 months.
- Statistical analysis included chi-squared tests and multivariate logistic regression to determine adjusted odds ratios (aOR).
Main Results:
- The prevalence of WaSt was found to be 2.4%.
- Significant risk factors for WaSt included male gender, age 12-23 months, low birth weight, small birth size, maternal age over 35, infection, non-utilization of Integrated Health and Nutrition Services (Posyandu), middle-income families, and rural residence.
Conclusions:
- WaSt in Indonesian children is associated with a multitude of factors.
- Comprehensive and targeted policy interventions are crucial for addressing the multifaceted nature of WaSt.
Objectives:
Concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) in a child is a health problem that leads to detrimental effects. However, to our knowledge, there is limited research regarding the prevalence and determinants of WaSt, including in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and determinants of WaSt in children 6 to 23 mo of age.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted with data sets from the Indonesia Nutritional Status Survey (INSS). Data was collected between January and December 2021. About 15 641 children, ages 23 mo, were included. A χ2 analysis examined the association between the dependent and independent variables. A multivariate test analyzed the risk for the independent variable to the dependent, seen through the adjusted odds ratio (aOR).
Results:
The prevalence of WaSt was 2.4%. Higher odds for WaSt were seen in the following: • Boys: 2.15 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-2.68); • Children ages 12 to 23 mo 3.15 times (95% CI, 2.33-4.25); • Those with low birth weight 3.11 times (95% CI, 2.33-4.15) • Those with small birth size: 2 times (95% CI, 1.59-2.54) • Babies born from mothers >35 y of age: 1.5 times (95% CI, 1.19-1.89); • Children who experienced infection: 1.43 times (95% CI, 1.16-1.76); • Children not using the Integrated Health and Nutrition Services (Posyandu): 1.17 times (95% CI; 1.29-2.27); • Children from middle- income families:2.54 times higher odds (95% CI, 1.75-3.7); and • Children from rural areas: 1.37 times (95% CI, 1.1-1.71).
Conclusion:
WaSt is associated with multiple factors in Indonesia. Hence, policymakers need to address this problem comprehensively.
