The Impact of Demographic Factors on the Prevalence of Stunting in Children: A Case Study in the Border Region of the Archipelago, Indonesia

Stunted child growth or called stunting is influenced by several factors, both directly and indirectly. Factors that cause stunting in children in the WHO conceptual framework include household, family and feeding patterns. These factors relate to economic policy, health and health services, education, socio-culture, agricultural systems and food, water, sanitation and the environment. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between demographic indicators including parental education level, family income and employment with children's feeding patterns and eating behaviors, and between feeding patterns and children's eating behaviors, on the physical condition of stunted children in the context of stunting alleviation. This study uses a cross-sectional approach with a sample of 71 families as a sample. Demographic factors used the modified Child Feeding Questionnaire and children's eating behavior with the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Correlation analysis of demographic factors using Spearman Rank. Demographic factors affect children's diets while children's eating behavior is not correlated with demographic factors and children's growth. Optimizing government assistance to families related to child feeding patterns can help reduce stunting in the border areas of the Indonesian archipelago. Received: 1 March 2025 / Accepted: 28 April 2025 / Published: 06 May 2025