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Suryono S I L, Susanto T, Ati N A L. Family Feeding Pattern and Severity of Stunting Among Children Aged 12–36 Months: A Cross-sectional Study in Jember, Indonesia. J Research Health 2026; 16 (4) :409-416
URL: http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-2851-en.html

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that impairs linear growth during early childhood. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between family feeding practices and the severity of stunting among children aged 12-36 months. Data were collected from March to April 2025 in the Rambipuji, Sumberjambe, and Ledokombo sub-districts of Jember Regency, East Java, Indonesia, using stratified random sampling to recruit 212 participants. Family feeding practices were assessed using the child feeding questionnaire (CFQ), and anthropometric measurements of toddlers were taken using digital scales and a microtoise.  Data were analyzed using the chi-square test. Most respondents were mothers (97.2%) with a mean age of 28.3 years, had an elementary school education (49.1%), and were housewives (92.5%). More than half of the children were male (52.4%) with an average age of 25.3 months. Appropriate feeding was reported by 71.8% of families, and among the children, 63.2% were moderately stunted and 36.8% were severely stunted. A significant relationship was found between feeding practices and stunting severity (χ2=15.604; P<0.001; OR=3.381; 95% CI, 1.822%, 6,275%). These findings suggest that maintaining proper feeding patterns in infants can significantly reduce the risk and severity of stunting in toddlers.