Factors Contributing to Stunting Among Toddlers Aged 12–59 Months in Timor-Leste

Stunting is still a major public health problem in Timor-Leste as it impacts physical growth, cognitive development, and the quality of human resources in the future. Various biological, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors are thought to contribute to the incidence of stunting, but the most dominant factors at the local level still require empirical study. This study aims to identify factors related to the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 12–59 months in Gleno District, Ermera Municipality, Timor-Leste. The study used a quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach on 36 toddlers selected using purposive sampling. The data were analyzed in stages using univariate analysis, chi-square test, and multiple linear regression to identify dominant factors. The results of the bivariate analysis showed that maternal knowledge (p=0.002), dietary intake (p=0.001), economic factors (p=0.015), and history of low birth weight (BBLR) (p=0.001) were significantly related to the degree of stunting. However, in the multivariate analysis, only the history of BBLR remained significant (β=0.001; p=0.004), while the model was able to explain 46.6% of the variation in the degree of stunting (Adjusted R²=0.466). These findings show that the history of BBLR is the most dominant factor related to the degree of stunting, so prevention efforts need to be prioritized from the beginning of pregnancy through the prevention of BBLR accompanied by strengthening nutritional and health interventions for mothers and children.