Impact of Low Birth Weight and Other Determinants on Stunting in Children Under-Five Years Old: Evidence from Indonesia’s Nutrition Status Survey

Background: Stunting during early childhood is a serious public health concern. In 2022, the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia was 21.6%, still a high prevalence. Low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health issue in low- and middle-income countries. Both play crucial roles in children’s morbidity and mortality. Shreds of evidence show the role of LBW in children’s stunting, however, limited study in Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the relationship between LBW and stunting in Indonesian toddlers. Methods: The study reported a cross-sectional survey using Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey data (Survei Status Gizi Indonesia = SSGI) in 2021, obtained from the National Institute for Health Development Policy, Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia, involving 20,808 data. The data were then presented in proportions and analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: The results showed children with certain factors were related to the occurrence of stunting, i.e., children with LBW (P < 0.001; aOR = 2.73; 95%CI = 2.420–3.080), aged under-twelve months old (P < 0.001; aOR = 0.38; 95%CI = 0.350–0.417), male (P < 0.001; aOR = 1.44; 95%CI = 1.338–1.547), early starting solid foods (<six months) (P < 0.001; aOR = 0.82; 95%CI = 0.767–0.886), having no health insurance (P = 0.026; aOR = 1.10; 95%CI = 1.011–1.191), low-educated mothers (P < 0.001; OR = 1.33; 95%CI = 1.230–1.436), employed mothers (P = 0.013; aOR = 0.90; 95%CI = 0.834–0.979), low-middle asset ownership (P < 0.001; aOR = 0.82; 95%CI = 0.767-0.886), vulnerable food insecurity (P = 0.037; aOR = 1.08; 95%CI = 1.005–1.167), and living in rural areas (P = 0.001; aOR = 1.14; 95%CI = 1.057–1.231). Conclusions: This study found stunting prevalence was 18.6% and LBW was 6.8%. LBW, male sex, no health insurance, low-educated mothers, low-middle assets, food insecurity, children aged 12 months or over, late-starting solid foods, unemployed mothers, and living in rural areas increased the risk of stunting in toddlers.