Nutritional Determinants of Stunting in Urban and Rural Areas

Abstract

Stunting remains a persistent health issue in Indonesia, with significant disparities between urban and rural populations. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the nutritional factors contributing to stunting in both settings. Data were collected from 700 children under five years of age—350 from Jakarta and 350 from Central Sulawesi—through anthropometric measurements, 24-hour dietary recalls, and household surveys. Results indicated that rural children had a higher prevalence of stunting (37.8%) compared to urban children (25.1%). Dietary diversity, protein intake, and access to fortified foods were significantly lower in rural areas. In contrast, urban areas faced challenges such as poor maternal dietary knowledge and frequent consumption of processed foods. Maternal education, household food security, and exclusive breastfeeding were identified as protective factors against stunting in both groups. The study concludes that addressing stunting requires location-specific strategies. In rural regions, efforts should focus on improving food availability and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, while urban programs must tackle misinformation about child feeding and improve maternal awareness.