Pengetahuan Keluarga tentang Gizi dan Kejadian Stunting pada Balita

Background: Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that can impair children's physical growth and development. Family knowledge of nutrition contributes to the ability of families to meet toddlers' nutritional needs and apply appropriate feeding practices. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze family nutritional knowledge as a risk factor for stunting among toddlers in the working area of Waode Buri Primary Health Center, North Buton Regency. Methods: This quantitative study used a case-control design and was conducted in May 2026 with 70 respondents consisting of 35 cases and 35 controls. Data were collected using a family nutritional knowledge questionnaire, and stunting status was assessed using the height-for-age index. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test and Odds Ratio. Results: In the case group, 23 respondents (65.7%) had poor nutritional knowledge and 12 respondents (34.3%) had good knowledge. In the control group, 25 respondents (71.4%) had good nutritional knowledge and 10 respondents (28.6%) had poor knowledge. The Chi-Square test showed a significant association between family nutritional knowledge and stunting incidence (p = 0.002). The Odds Ratio (OR) of 4.79 indicated that families with poor nutritional knowledge had a greater likelihood of having toddlers with stunting than families with good nutritional knowledge. Conclusions: Nutrition education through counseling, integrated health posts, and family assistance should be strengthened as part of stunting prevention efforts.