The Relationship between Food Security and Dietary Diversity with Stunting Incidence Under-five Aged 24-59 Months

Stunting Food security Dietary diversity

Authors

30 June 2024
Photo by Laura Ohlman on Unsplash

Background: Stunting is defined as a growth and development disorder in children caused by chronic malnutrition, repeated infections, and a lack of psychological stimulation. The long term that can occur as a result of stunting is a decrease in learning performance, productivity and work capacity. The condition of household food security and toddler food insecurity is closely related to the incidence of stunting in toddlers.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between household food security and toddler food diversity with the incidence of stunting in children aged 24-59 months.

Methods: This study used a case control design with a sample of 28 toddlers for each group (cases and controls). The research location was carried out in the working area of "‹"‹the Sambeng Health Center. The data collected included the characteristics of toddlers, parents' characteristics, household food security, and toddler food diversity through direct measurement. directly and interviews using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi-square and Spearman Correlation test.

Results: The results showed that most of the stunting group was food insecure with moderate hunger (53.6%) and dietary consumption was not diverse (64.3%). Statistical tests that have been carried out show that there is a significant relationship between household food security (p=0.001), dietary diversity among toddlers (p=0.016).

Conclusions: Household food security and food diversity for children under five are related to the incidence of stunting. The condition of food insecurity in the household increases the incidence of stunting in children under five.