History of birth weight and birth length as predictors of stunting in toddlers

Abstract

Indonesia is still faced with nutritional problems in children under two years old.              One of the nutritional problems currently is stunting. Children with a history of low birth weight and low birth length are potential factors influencing the incidence of stunting. This study aims to examine the risk of birth weight and birth length history with the incidence of stunting in toddlers. The research design used cross sectional with secondary data sources from nutritional status reports at the Community Health Center. The research sample consisted of 256 children under two years old from 3 Community Health Centers in Kendal Regency, Indonesia, which were divided into case groups and control groups, using cluster sampling techniques for regional samples and random sampling techniques for respondent samples. Bivariate data analysis used the chi-square test and multivariate data used the logistic regression test. The results of bivariate analysis show that there is a significant relationship between history of birth weight (p value = 0.000) and birth length (p value = 0.004) with the incidence of stunting in toddlers. Based on the results of multivariate analysis, it was found that a history of low birth weight was the most dominant risk factor associated with the incidence of stunting. The results of this research can be applied as a preventive measure, because history of birth weight and birth length can be use as stunting predictors in toddler’s growth and development period.