Risk Factors for Concurrent Stunting and Underweight in Indonesian Children Aged 6–23 Months: Analysis of the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey

Malnutrition, particularly in the form of concurrent stunting and underweight, remains a major public health challenge globally, with Indonesia reporting alarmingly high rates among young children. Despite its critical implications for child development and national progress, few studies have examined the combined risk factors for this dual burden. This study aimed to identify determinants of concurrent stunting and underweight among Indonesian children aged 6–23 months using data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey. A total of 16,323 children were analyzed using complex sample logistic regression. Significant predictors included age 12– 23 months (OR = 3.36), male sex (OR = 1.52), birth weight < 2,500 g (OR = 2.26), birth length < 48 cm (OR = 2.33), and lower economic quintiles (e.g., Q1 OR = 3.05). In contrast, diarrhea, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and prematurity were not significantly associated. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated interventions focusing on early-life nutrition, maternal care, immunization, and poverty reduction to mitigate child malnutrition in Indonesia.