How Families Fulfil Nutrition for Stunted Children in Rural Areas of Indonesia?

Background: Stunting remains a major health challenge in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas. Family functionality and local food sources play a crucial role in addressing stunting, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive interventions rooted in local wisdom, such as the Pandalungan families approach to child care and nutrition. This study aimed to explore the depth and complexity of the experiences of families in fulfilling of nutrition with stunted children in rural areas.Methods: A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed to explore the experiences of families in caring for children with stunting in rural areas, considering sociodemographic, sociocultural, and environmental factors. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions with 34 key informants, consisting of 30 of parents and 4 of health cadres in three health centres in agricultural areas of Indonesia using semi-structured interview guidelines. Data were analysed using the Colizzi approach.Results: Three main themes in the care of children with stunting were highlighted, namely the fulfilment of nutritional needs, family and community involvement, and barriers to improving nutritional status, with the important role of health cadres and community health centre nurses in education, counselling, and supplementary feeding programs.Conclusion: Families caring of stunted children were explored on nutritional needs, family and community involvement, and obstacles in increasing nutrition status. Therefore, health education, family counselling, and complementary feeding should be provided to correct nutritional practices within the community.