frequency of consumption of calcium sources

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 83 views

Determinant Stunting in Children Aged 12-36 Months in Simpang Kiri Subdistrict, Subulussalam City: The Role of Parents' Height and Calcium Intake

Introduction

Stunting is a serious nutritional problem that affects millions of children worldwide, characterized by a height lower than the standard of age. In the city of Subulussalam, the prevalence of stunting in children under five years reached 64.91%, with Simpang Kiri District as the highest percentage (48%). To understand the cause of the high stunting rate in the region, a study was conducted to identify stunting determinants in children aged 12-36 months in Simpang Kiri District. This article aims to discuss the findings of the study and highlight the importance of addressing stunting in children.

Background

Stunting is a complex issue that is influenced by various factors, including nutrition, health, and socio-economic status. Inadequate nutrition, particularly a lack of essential micronutrients such as calcium, iron, and zinc, can lead to stunting. Additionally, factors such as exclusive breastfeeding, immunization completeness, and birth weight can also contribute to stunting. In the context of Simpang Kiri District, the high prevalence of stunting is a concern that requires immediate attention.

Methodology

This study used an unparalleled case-control design, involving 53 stunting children and 53 children with normal nutritional status. Various factors were examined, including the frequency of consumption of mineral sources (calcium, iron, and zinc), the frequency of food consumption of vitamin A sources, time of administration of MP-ASI, history of diarrhea and ARI, parental height, exclusive breastfeeding, immunization completeness, income family, and birth weight. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test and logistics regression test to identify the factors that most influence the incidence of stunting.

Results

The results of the study showed that parents' height is the most dominant factor affecting stunting, with an odds ratio (OR) of 28.28 (95% CI: 9.00-88,802). This indicates that children with short parents have a higher risk of stunting. Another significant factor is frequency of consumption of calcium sources, with an OR of 5.08 (95% CI: 1.65 - 15.66). This suggests that children who consume less calcium sources have a higher risk of stunting.

Discussion

The results of this study underline the importance of improvement of the economy of the community to overcome stunting. Increasing family income can increase access to nutritious food, including calcium sources, which are essential for optimal growth in children. In addition, increased mother's knowledge regarding exclusive breastfeeding, time of administration of MP-ASI, and the frequency of administration of MP-ASI is also crucial. More frequent and comprehensive counseling can help mothers in providing appropriate nutritional intake for their children.

Conclusion

Stunting is a multifactorial problem that requires a comprehensive approach to address effectively. Efforts that are integrated from various parties, including the government, health workers, and the community, are needed to overcome this problem sustainably. The findings of this study highlight the importance of addressing stunting in children and emphasize the need for a multifaceted approach to tackle this issue.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improvement of the economy of the community: Increasing family income can increase access to nutritious food, including calcium sources, which are essential for optimal growth in children.
Increased mother's knowledge: More frequent and comprehensive counseling can help mothers in providing appropriate nutritional intake for their children.
Integrated efforts: Efforts that are integrated from various parties, including the government, health workers, and the community, are needed to overcome stunting sustainably.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Selection bias: The selection of participants may be biased, which may affect the validity of the findings.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to:

Investigate the role of other factors: Other factors that contribute to stunting, such as exclusive breastfeeding, immunization completeness, and birth weight, should be investigated.
Develop effective interventions: Effective interventions that can address stunting in children should be developed and implemented.
Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions: The effectiveness of interventions should be evaluated to ensure that they are effective in addressing stunting in children.

References

World Health Organization. (2019). Stunting in children under 5 years.
United Nations Children's Fund. (2020). The State of the World's Children 2020.
Ministry of Health. (2020). National Health Policy 2020.

Appendices

Appendix 1: List of participants
Appendix 2: Data collection tools
Appendix 3: Data analysis procedures
Frequently Asked Questions: Determinant Stunting in Children Aged 12-36 Months in Simpang Kiri Subdistrict, Subulussalam City

Q: What is stunting in children?

A: Stunting is a serious nutritional problem that occurs when a child's growth is hampered, characterized by a height lower than the standard of age.

Q: What is the prevalence of stunting in children under five years in Subulussalam City?

A: The prevalence of stunting in children under five years in Subulussalam City reached 64.91%, with Simpang Kiri District as the highest percentage (48%).

Q: What are the factors that contribute to stunting in children?

A: Various factors contribute to stunting in children, including nutrition, health, and socio-economic status. Inadequate nutrition, particularly a lack of essential micronutrients such as calcium, iron, and zinc, can lead to stunting. Additionally, factors such as exclusive breastfeeding, immunization completeness, and birth weight can also contribute to stunting.

Q: What is the role of parents' height in stunting?

A: The study found that parents' height is the most dominant factor affecting stunting, with an odds ratio (OR) of 28.28 (95% CI: 9.00-88,802). This indicates that children with short parents have a higher risk of stunting.

Q: What is the role of calcium intake in stunting?

A: The study found that frequency of consumption of calcium sources is a significant factor in stunting, with an OR of 5.08 (95% CI: 1.65 - 15.66). This suggests that children who consume less calcium sources have a higher risk of stunting.

Q: What are the recommendations to address stunting in children?

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improvement of the economy of the community: Increasing family income can increase access to nutritious food, including calcium sources, which are essential for optimal growth in children.
Increased mother's knowledge: More frequent and comprehensive counseling can help mothers in providing appropriate nutritional intake for their children.
Integrated efforts: Efforts that are integrated from various parties, including the government, health workers, and the community, are needed to overcome stunting sustainably.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Selection bias: The selection of participants may be biased, which may affect the validity of the findings.

Q: What are the future directions for research on stunting in children?

A: Future studies should aim to:

Investigate the role of other factors: Other factors that contribute to stunting, such as exclusive breastfeeding, immunization completeness, and birth weight, should be investigated.
Develop effective interventions: Effective interventions that can address stunting in children should be developed and implemented.
Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions: The effectiveness of interventions should be evaluated to ensure that they are effective in addressing stunting in children.

Q: What are the implications of this study for public health policy?

A: The findings of this study have significant implications for public health policy, particularly in the context of Subulussalam City. The study highlights the need for integrated efforts to address stunting in children, including improving the economy of the community, increasing mother's knowledge, and providing access to nutritious food.

Q: What are the next steps for addressing stunting in children in Subulussalam City?

A: The next steps for addressing stunting in children in Subulussalam City include:

Implementing effective interventions: Effective interventions that can address stunting in children should be implemented.
Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions: The effectiveness of interventions should be evaluated to ensure that they are effective in addressing stunting in children.
Continuing research: Research should continue to investigate the factors that contribute to stunting in children and to develop effective interventions to address this issue.