Household Food Insecurity and Stunting among Infants Aged 6-23 Months: A Cross-sectional Study in Indonesia

Asaluna, Magnis; Susanto, Tantut; Susumaningrum, Latifa Aini

doi:10.22038/jpp.2026.95311.5643

Household Food Insecurity and Stunting among Infants Aged 6-23 Months: A Cross-sectional Study in Indonesia

Document Type : original article

Authors

Magnis Asaluna ¹

Tantut Susanto ²

Latifa Aini Susumaningrum ²

¹ Nursing Study Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Jember, Jember, Indonesia.

² Department of Community, Family & Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Jember, Jember, Indonesia.

10.22038/jpp.2026.95311.5643

Abstract

Background: Stunting is a form of malnutrition that remains a significant global health problem. Household food insecurity is associated with poor dietary diversity and contributes to inadequate nutrition in children, which is linked to higher rates of stunting. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between household food insecurity and the prevalence of stunting among infants aged 6-23 months in Jember Regency.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 211 families with infants aged 6-23 months using total sampling. Food insecurity levels were assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), while the infants’ anthropometric measurements were taken using a digital baby scale and a length board.
Results: Of the 211 households, 92.4% experienced food insecurity, with 55.5% facing moderate food insecurity. The incidence of stunting was categorized into two mutually exclusive groups: 63% of infants were moderately stunted, and 34% were severely stunted. A Chi-square test revealed a significant association between household food insecurity and stunting incidence (χ² = 9.853; p-value = 0.020). Compared to infants from food-secure households, those from severely food-insecure households were more likely to be stunted (OR = 1.782; 95% CI: 0.575-5.525). However, as the confidence interval includes 1, the risk estimate for this subgroup lacks strict statistical precision despite the overall significant association.
Conclusion: Household food insecurity is associated with stunting among infants aged 6-23 months. Therefore, this study recommends that families utilize local resources to reduce dependence on expensive foods while meeting infants’ nutritional needs.

Keywords

Children

Family

Household food insecurity

Malnutrition

Stunting

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