Improving health and nutritional education for mothers

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 132 views

The Relationship between Family Characteristics and Mother's Parenting with Stunting Events in Toddlers in Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency

Introduction

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that affects millions of children worldwide, including in Indonesia. It is a condition where children do not reach their full growth potential due to malnutrition, which can have long-lasting effects on their physical and cognitive development. In this study, we aim to explore the relationship between family characteristics and mother's parenting with stunting events in toddlers in Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency.

Background

Stunting is a complex issue that is influenced by various factors, including family characteristics, mother's parenting, and access to healthcare and nutrition. In Indonesia, stunting is a significant public health concern, with around 30% of children under the age of 5 experiencing stunting. In Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency, the prevalence of stunting is estimated to be around 23%. This study aims to investigate the relationship between family characteristics and mother's parenting with stunting events in toddlers in this region.

Methodology

This study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. The sampling frame consisted of children aged 12-36 months with their mothers as respondents. A questionnaire was used to collect data on family characteristics, mother's parenting, and stunting events. The data was analyzed using the Chi-Square test to examine the relationship between the variables studied.

Results

The results of the study showed that there was no significant relationship between family characteristics and mother's parenting with stunting events in toddlers. However, the study found that around 23% of toddlers in Perlis Village experience stunting. This suggests that stunting is a significant public health concern in this region.

Discussion

Although the study found no significant relationship between family characteristics and mother's parenting with stunting events, it is essential to examine other factors that can affect the incidence of stunting. For example, the quality of nutritional intake received by the mother during pregnancy and postpartum is crucial in ensuring optimal growth for children. Mothers who have knowledge about nutrition and health of children tend to provide better parenting, which has a direct impact on the health and development of their children.

Furthermore, research demonstrates that maternal awareness is very necessary in their role in the growth and development of toddlers. Good nutritional intake during pregnancy and the provision of nutritious food in children after birth can help prevent stunting. Therefore, efforts to improve health and nutritional education for mothers are very important to do.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study found no significant relationship between family characteristics and mother's parenting with stunting events in toddlers in Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency. However, the study highlights the importance of examining other factors that can affect the incidence of stunting. Policy stakeholders, together with the community, need to work together to create programs that support good nutrition and increase awareness of proper patterns. All of this aims to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow and develop optimally.

Recommendations

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

Improving health and nutritional education for mothers: Efforts should be made to improve health and nutritional education for mothers, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum.
Increasing awareness of proper nutrition patterns: Policy stakeholders and the community should work together to increase awareness of proper nutrition patterns and the importance of good nutritional intake during pregnancy and postpartum.
Creating programs that support good nutrition: Programs that support good nutrition, such as nutrition education and counseling, should be created and implemented in Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency.
Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation of the incidence of stunting in Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the programs implemented.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Cross-sectional design: The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the temporal relationships between the variables studied.
Limited data collection: The study only collected data on family characteristics, mother's parenting, and stunting events, which may not capture other important factors that can affect the incidence of stunting.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Investigate the temporal relationships between family characteristics, mother's parenting, and stunting events: Future studies should use a longitudinal design to investigate the temporal relationships between family characteristics, mother's parenting, and stunting events.
Examine other factors that can affect the incidence of stunting: Future studies should examine other factors that can affect the incidence of stunting, such as access to healthcare and nutrition.
Develop and implement effective programs to prevent stunting: Future studies should aim to develop and implement effective programs to prevent stunting in Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Relationship between Family Characteristics and Mother's Parenting with Stunting Events in Toddlers in Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency

Q: What is stunting, and how does it affect children?

A: Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that affects children's growth and development. It can lead to physical and cognitive impairments, and can have long-lasting effects on a child's health and well-being.

Q: What are the risk factors for stunting in children?

A: The risk factors for stunting in children include inadequate nutrition, poor maternal health, and limited access to healthcare and education.

Q: What is the relationship between family characteristics and stunting events in toddlers?

A: The study found no significant relationship between family characteristics and stunting events in toddlers. However, the study highlights the importance of examining other factors that can affect the incidence of stunting.

Q: What is the role of maternal awareness in preventing stunting?

A: Maternal awareness is crucial in preventing stunting. Mothers who have knowledge about nutrition and health of children tend to provide better parenting, which has a direct impact on the health and development of their children.

Q: What are the recommendations for preventing stunting in Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency?

A: The recommendations for preventing stunting in Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency include improving health and nutritional education for mothers, increasing awareness of proper nutrition patterns, creating programs that support good nutrition, and monitoring and evaluating the incidence of stunting.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has several limitations, including a small sample size, a cross-sectional design, and limited data collection.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: The future research directions for this study include investigating the temporal relationships between family characteristics, mother's parenting, and stunting events, examining other factors that can affect the incidence of stunting, and developing and implementing effective programs to prevent stunting in Perlis Village, West Brandan District, Langkat Regency.

Q: What are the implications of this study for policy and practice?

A: The study has implications for policy and practice, including the need for improved health and nutritional education for mothers, increased awareness of proper nutrition patterns, and the development and implementation of effective programs to prevent stunting.

Q: How can individuals and communities contribute to preventing stunting?

A: Individuals and communities can contribute to preventing stunting by supporting programs that promote good nutrition and health education, advocating for policies that support maternal and child health, and engaging in community-based initiatives that promote healthy behaviors.

Q: What are the long-term consequences of stunting for children?

A: The long-term consequences of stunting for children include physical and cognitive impairments, limited educational and economic opportunities, and increased risk of chronic diseases.

Q: How can healthcare providers and policymakers work together to prevent stunting?

A: Healthcare providers and policymakers can work together to prevent stunting by developing and implementing effective programs that promote good nutrition and health education, advocating for policies that support maternal and child health, and engaging in community-based initiatives that promote healthy behaviors.