Hanik Anur Maria, Widya Hary Cahyati Azam, Intan Zainafree Azam, Ferry Santoso Azam, Safira Chairani Dimarti Azam

Wasting Stunting (WaSt) Among Toddlers 6-23 Months in Indonesia

Introduction

Wasting stunting (wast) among toddlers 6-23 months in indonesia. Explore factors associated with Wasting Stunting (WaSt) among Indonesian toddlers aged 6-23 months. Discover key health, birth, and maternal determinants.

Abstract

Wasting stunting (WaSt) is a condition in which wasting and stunting occur in a child at the same time. In Indonesia, the prevalence of WaSt was 2.4% among children 6 to 59 months in 2021 (Jokhu & Syauqy, 2024). Research on factors related to WaSt has not been widely conducted in Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to find out the factors associated with WaSt among toddlers aged 6–23 months in Indonesia. This study is analytical research with a cross sectional design using SSGI 2022 data. The population in this study is all toddlers among SSGI 2022 respondents. The sample in this study is toddlers aged 6–23 months in Indonesia. The sampling technique used was the total sample. The sample in this study was 41257 toddlers (6–23 months). The prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight, and WaSt was 16.1%, 7.62%, 11.8%, and 1.15%, respectively. Variables related to the incidence of wasting stunting (WaSt) were diarrhea (PR = 1,331), pneumonia (PR = 2,599), pulmonary tuberculosis (PR = 4,048), birth weight (PR = 4,571), birth length (PR = 2,437), mothers' education level (PR = 1,213), and mothers' work (PR = 1,525). Factors related to WaSt among toddlers aged 6–23 months in Indonesia are diarrhea, pneumonia, pulmonary TB, birth weight, birth body length, maternal education level, and maternal employment.

Review

This study addresses a critical public health issue by investigating the factors associated with Wasting Stunting (WaSt) among toddlers aged 6-23 months in Indonesia. WaSt, the co-occurrence of wasting and stunting, signifies severe nutritional vulnerability and often indicates a more complex and detrimental health status compared to either condition alone. The authors correctly highlight a significant research gap in Indonesia regarding the understanding of factors contributing to WaSt. This research is therefore highly relevant, aiming to provide much-needed insights into the determinants of this multifaceted nutritional problem within a particularly vulnerable age group, laying groundwork for more targeted and effective interventions in a country facing considerable challenges in child nutrition. Utilizing a robust methodology, the researchers conducted an analytical cross-sectional study based on the extensive SSGI 2022 national data, encompassing a substantial sample of 41,257 toddlers aged 6–23 months. The study reports the prevalence of WaSt in this specific age group at 1.15%, alongside 16.1% stunting, 7.62% wasting, and 11.8% underweight. Crucially, the analysis identified several significant factors associated with WaSt. These include child-specific health issues such as diarrhea (PR=1.331), pneumonia (PR=2.599), and pulmonary tuberculosis (PR=4.048), as well as birth metrics like birth weight (PR=4.571) and birth length (PR=2.437). Furthermore, maternal socio-economic factors, specifically education level (PR=1.213) and employment status (PR=1.525), were also found to be significantly related to the incidence of WaSt, underscoring the interplay of health and social determinants. The study's strengths lie in its large, nationally representative sample size, which enhances the generalizability of its findings within Indonesia. By identifying a comprehensive set of associated factors, ranging from infectious diseases and birth anthropometrics to maternal educational and occupational status, the research offers a holistic perspective on WaSt's determinants. While the cross-sectional design inherently limits the ability to infer causality, it successfully pinpoints key associations that can inform immediate public health strategies. The findings strongly suggest that interventions to combat WaSt should be multi-pronged, addressing not only early childhood disease prevention and maternal and child health programs but also broader socio-economic empowerment for mothers. Future research could build upon these associations by employing longitudinal designs to explore causal pathways and the effectiveness of integrated intervention packages.

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