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Epidemiology and Society Health Review| ESHR 
 

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Research Article  
 
Characteristics of mothers and stunting toddlers in 
Pekuncen Village, Wiradesa, Pekalongan, Indonesia 
 
Siti Rofiqoh1*, Imam Hanifudin Rizkian1, Naila Vandawi1, Febri Lianasari1 
 
1 Faculty of Health Science, Universitas Muhammadiyah Pekajangan Pekalongan, 

Pekalongan, Indonesia. 
 
*Correspondence: rofiqoh.siti@yahoo.com. Telp: +6281542030114  
 Received 05 May, 2020; Accepted 28 May, 2020; Published 28 May, 2020 

ABSTRACT  

Background: Stunting is the condition of short stature due to abnormal growth caused by a 
severe malnutrition problem that needs attention. Stunting can cause health problems, 
decrease productivity, and trigger poverty in the future. This study aims to determine the 
characteristics of mothers and stunting toddlers in Pekuncen village Wiradesa Pekalongan 
District, Central Java, Indonesia. 
Methods: The study was conducted in Pekuncen village in the Wiradesa subdistrict of the 
Pekalongan District. The retrospective design was used in this study. Respondent was 
recruited using total sampling techniques. A set of questionnaires was employed to collect the 
data among 35 respondents, which is the mothers of stunting toddler. 
Results: The results showed most of the respondents (82.7%) hold basic education level. 
77.1% of respondents have family income < regional minimum salary of Pekalongan District. 
More than half of respondents (68.6%) have less nutrition knowledge. No mothers have good 
nutrition knowledge. Less than half (42.9%) provide parenting democratic type of feeding, and 
there are still 14.3% of mothers giving the neglect parenting feeding type. While the 
characteristics of stunting toddlers are 68.6% female, 37.1% aged 3-4 years, 28.6% aged 1-3 
years, 42.9% do not get exclusive breastfeeding, and 88.6% have a history of normal born 
weight. 
Conclusions: Stunting toddler in Pekuncen village Wiradesa, Pekalongan was associated 
with a parent who has elementary education, family income less than the Regional Minimum 
Salary. Most of them have less nutrition knowledge level, and almost half of them provide 
parenting with the democratic type of feeding. While the characteristics of stunting toddlers 
were the majority of women, and nearly half do not get exclusive breastfeeding, and most 
have a normal birth weight history. We suggest that related parties should collaborate to 
reduce stunting prevalence based on the characteristics of mothers and stunting toddlers. 

Keywords: Mother, Toddlers, Stunting, Pekalongan. 

 

INTRODUCTION 

Stunting is a condition of failure to thrive in toddlers due to chronic malnutrition so that the 
children become too short compared to their ages (1). Stunting is based on body length index 
compared to age (PB/U) or height compared to age (TB/U) with a limit (z-score) of less than -
2 SD (2). Stunting in toddlers is one of the problems in the world, including Indonesia. The 
incidence of stunting in the world in 2017 reached 22.2% or around 150.8 million children (3). 



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The prevalence of stunting in Indonesia ranks fifth largest in the world (1). In 2018, the 
prevalence of stunting in Indonesia was quite high, reaching 30.8% and in Central Java 
Province in the year 2014 amounted to 22.57% (4). Based on the data from the Pekalongan 
District Health Office in 2017, the Wiradesa subdistrict of Pekalongan District has the highest 
number of stunting cases. Data from the Wiradesa Health Center in Pekalongan DIstrict shows 
that there are 3,556 children, and 386 are stunted. The highest number of stunting toddlers’ 
cases is at Pekuncen village in Wiradesa. Pekalongan (5).  

Stunting is caused by multidimensional factors such as poor parenting practices, limited quality 
health services, lack of family access to nutritious food, and access to clean water and 
sanitation (1). Parenting practices include maternal knowledge about nutrition and children's 
food intake, including exclusive breastfeeding and infant treatment with low birth weight. The 
incorrect feeding behavior by the parent causing the lack of nutritional intake received by 
toddlers. A mother's education is also related to the ability to care for children properly. Family 
income factors cause a lack of family access to nutritious food. Family income closely related 
to the family's ability to provide nutritious food and access to health services required for the 
growth of toddlers. 

Stunting is a problem that needs serious attention because if left untreated, it will cause an 
impact on adulthood. Various issues arise in stunting children, including issues of stunted 
physical growth, mental development, health problems, poor school performance, low 
education, and low income as adults that have an impact on poverty (1). So, it is necessary to 
identify the factors that trigger off stunting, especially in areas with a high prevalence of 
stunting. It will be useful for decision-makers on providing appropriate intervention and policy 
to solve stunting. This study aims to describe the characteristics of mothers and stunting 
toddlers in Pekuncen village Wiradesa subdistrict of the Pekalongan District. 

METHODS 

Study design  
The research design is quantitative with a retrospective approach. Mother and stunting 
toddlers data has obtained from Wiradesa public health center, Pekalongan. Door to door visit 
was conducted to interview the respondent. 

Setting 
The research took place in Pekuncen village Wiradesa subdistricts of the Pekalongan District 
with the highest case of stunting toddlers in 2017. 

Data source and data collection 
A questionnaire was used to collect the data. Parenting questionnaire regarding infant feeding 
was adopted from Astuti about the Parenting Feeding Style (6). The questionnaire consisted 
of 24 questions divided into 17 questions of demandingness (D) and seven questions of 
responsiveness (R). Questionnaire answers using a Likert scale consisting of 5 alternative 
answers, namely, 0) never, 1) rarely, 2) sometimes, 3) often, 4) always. This questionnaire 
has been tested for validity and reliability with Pearson's correlation point demandingness 
results of Cronbach's alpha value of 0.85 and Cronbach alpha of responsiveness of 0.82. Thus 
this questionnaire was declared reliable (6). The nutritional knowledge questionnaire 
consisted of 18 questions. It had been tested for validity and reliability, with r count > 0.44 and 
Cronbach alpha also > 0.44, so they were valid and reliable. 

Parenting feeding, because of the abnormal data distribution, then categorized into democratic 
parenting, if the D and R ≥ median; Authoritarian parenting, if D ≥ median and R < median; 



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Permissive parenting, if D < median and R ≥ median and neglect parenting, if D and R < 
median. While knowledge is categorized as good if the value is 76-100, enough, if 56-75 and 
less if 0-55. 

Sample population 
This study's population was the mothers of stunting toddlers in Pekuncen village Wiradesa 
subdistrict of the Pekalongan District. We applied total sampling to select the respondent. 
Accordingly, this study involved 35 respondents. The criteria for the participant were mothers 
of stunting toddlers who were domiciled in the selected village and willing to participate in this 
study. In contrast, the exclusion criteria were toddlers who are not cared for by mothers. 

Variables 
The variables of this study include the characteristics of mothers and stunting toddlers. 
Maternal characteristics include the level of education, knowledge about nutrition, family 
income, and parenting feeding. Toddler characteristics include age, sex, history of exclusive 
breastfeeding, and history of Low Birth Weight.  
 
Analysis 
The analysis was performed using descriptive and percentage analysis.  

RESULTS 

Characteristics of Mothers in Stunting Toddlers 
The characteristics of mothers in stunting toddlers, which include the mother's education, 
family income, mother's knowledge about nutrition, and parenting feeding for a toddler, are 
presented in Tables 1.  

Table 1. Characteristics of Mothers in Stunting Toddlers (n=35) 

Characteristics N  (%) 
Mothers’ Education Level   

Basic (Primary and Junior High School)  29      8.7 
Medium (Senior High School) 6      17.1 

Family Income   
<Regional Minimum Salary of 

Pekalongan District =< IDR 
1,721,637 

27 77.1 

≥ Regional Minimum Salary of 
Pekalongan District = ≥ IDR 
1,721,637 

8 22.9 

Nutrition Knowledge   
Low 24 68.6 
Sufficient 11 31.4 

Parenting Feeding   
Neglect 5 14.3 
Permissive 9 25.7 
Authoritarian 6 17.1 
Democratic 15 42.9 

 

Table 1 shows that most mothers' education level 29 (82.7%) hold basic education level, only 
6 (17.1%) have middle education level, and none of the respondents have a high education 



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level (University). Most of the 27 (77.1%) have family income less than the regional minimum 
salary of Pekalongan District. Knowledge about nutrition is mostly less than 24 (68.6%), and 
none of them has sufficient knowledge, parenting feeding practices most of the 15 (42.9%) 
were democratic, 9 (25.7%) permissive, and there is still 5 (14.3%) neglect. 

Characteristics of Stunting Toddlers  
The characteristics of stunting toddlers, which include gender, age, history of breastfeeding, 
and birth weight history, are illustrated in Tables 2. 

Table 2. Characteristics of Stunting Toddlers (n = 35) 

Characteristics N % 
Gender   

Male 11 31.4 
Female 24 68.6 

Age    
1-2 year 10 28.6 
2-3 year 9 25.7 
3-4 year 13 37.1 
4-5 year 3 8.6 

Breastfeed History    
Exclusive Breastfeed 20 57.1 
In exclusive Breastfeed 15 42.9 

Birthweight History   
Normal 31 88.6 
Low 4 11.4 

 

Table 2 shows that most of the toddlers are female (24 (68.6%), more than one third 13 
(37.1%) aged 3-4 years old, and 10 (28.6%) are 1-2 years old. Almost half of the toddlers did 
not receive exclusive breastfeeding; there are about 15 (42.9%) and only four toddlers (11.4%) 
with a history of low birth weight.  

DISCUSSIONS 

The characteristics education of mothers with stunting toddlers shown the majority of them 
hold basic education level. Highly educated people are more likely to adopt healthy lifestyles, 
maintain personal fitness, consume nutritious food, avoid things that damage health (7). 
Likewise, mothers with higher education are more likely to take care of their children properly. 
High educated mothers are more capable of implementing a healthy lifestyle to their children, 
maintaining their children's fitness, providing and feeding nutritious food to their children. They 
are also capable of protecting their children from things that can interfere with health. These 
abilities are needed by children so that children can grow and develop properly. Research 
conducted by Setiawan, Mahmud, and Masrul (2018) in Padang and Anisa (2012) in Depok, 
stated that mother's education was related to the incidence of stunting in children. Mothers 
with higher education have a lower risk of stunting (8,9). Mothers with higher education can 
formulate strategies to maintain the continuity of better child care, be able to solve problems 
properly, such as providing proper food to children, bringing children to health services, etc. 
Therefore, increasing the mother's education level is important for reducing stunting (10). In 



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contrast to mothers with lower education are at greater risk of the incidence of stunting. 
Mothers with low education are less able to take good care of their children. As a result, the 
need for nutrition and health among children at risk is not sufficient. These conditions, if it 
prolonged, will cause stunting in children.  

Income factor is also one of the causes of stunting. The results of the study in Table 1 shows 
that most mothers of stunted toddler earn less than the regional minimum salary. Research in 
Padang shows that the level of family income is related to stunting toddlers (8). Income relates 
to access to nutritious food, access to health services, and children's education that have a 
positive impact on the nutritional status of children (11). Good family income supports the 
ability of families to provide nutritious food to their families, including toddlers. Nutritious food 
is needed by children to maintain the health of the child's body, the child's growth, and the 
development process. Likewise, good family income is needed for the fulfillment of health 
services that are needed to ensure the health status of families and children. A good family 
income is also needed to access good education services for children so that children are 
facilitated into a healthy and smart generation. Conversely, low-income families cause the 
inability to meet family needs. Families are unable to provide nutritious and varied food so that 
the child's nutrition intake is reduced. Poor nutrition for a long time is one of the factors causing 
stunting. Health services can also be inaccessible to low-income family members. Poor 
nutrition is at risk of decreasing the child's immune system. Children are more likely to get sick 
more often if access to health services still not proper. This condition worsens the nutritional 
status of children who can be more at risk of experiencing malnutrition and stunting. 

The results showed the majority of mothers about nutrition knowledge is very low. Meanwhile, 
knowledge is a fundamental domain for the formation of one's actions (12). The lack of nutrition 
knowledge about mothers causes an inability to serve and feed good, nutritious food. Thus, 
the nutrient intake in children will be disrupted. Chronic disruption of nutrient intake in a toddler 
can be at risk of causing stunting.  

The characteristics of mothers regarding parenting for child feeding in Table 1 show that most 
are democratic, some are permissive and authoritarian, but some are neglectful. 17.1% in this 
study, the mother gives parenting feeding authoritarian type. Authoritarian parenting is 
parenting by parents who tend to force, rule, and punish children always to follow parental 
orders without reason. Children with this parenting style tend to the trouble to express his wish 
and high levels of depression. Permissive parenting is parenting as opposed to authoritarian 
parenting, in permissive parenting parents give freedom to children to do anything, parents 
are very concerned with the needs of children's feelings, but parents tend to spoil children. 
The risk of stunting can occur in the permissive type of parenting if the child chooses to 
consume less nutritious foods, while parents tend to fulfill the child's wishes. Parenting neglect 
is the worst because it cannot provide control but cannot provide warmth to the children (13). 
In this type, food that enters the child’s body is controlled by the children because of a lack of 
control, demands, and direction from parents. Less nutritious feeding food will inhibit the 
toddler's growth so that a risk of stunting (14). Democratic parenting is ideal parenting among 
others because, in this parenting, children live within the provisions that must be met, but they 
also get attention and fulfillment of adequate needs (13). The results of this study indicate the 
characteristics of parenting feeding of mothers in stunting toddlers are mostly democratic type. 
However, if parents continue to apply the democratic type to the condition of children who 
behave to avoid certain foods for long periods, they can be at risk of malnutrition (stunting) 



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(15,16). In the democratic parenting type, if the parent's knowledge about nutrition is less well, 
also risk causing nutritional problems in children (17). Parents need to implement parenting 
feeding the most appropriate to the child's condition. In daily life, parents can provide 
appropriate parenting multidimensional child's condition. Although parents parenting feeding 
implement democratic type, in certain situations, parents need to be authoritarian if the 
increasing demands of a child to eat are considered effective in maintaining normal nutrition. 
Instead, permissive parenting is required if the child is considered to require a more pleasant 
dining atmosphere to maintain a normal nutritional status (6).     

The characteristics of stunting toddlers in the results of the study in Table 2 show that almost 
half of the toddlers do not get exclusive breastfeeding. Breast milk is the best for infants, and 
exclusive breastfeeding should be given in the first six months. This means that the baby is 
only given breast milk without other additional other than medicines, vitamins, and minerals 
according to the doctor's instructions. Giving exclusive breastfeeding to infants up to six 
months old will increase the child's immunity and maintain the child (18). Research by 
Hindawati and Rusdiati (2018) in Jember and Setiawan, et al. (2018) in Padang shows that 
exclusive breastfeeding is not associated with stunting (8,19). This can occur because stunting 
is indeed caused by multi factors, not only exclusive breastfeeding but complementary feeding 
factors. After six months of infancy, adequate and varied nutritious feeding in children also 
greatly determines the nutritional status of children. The number of feeding problems occurs 
in children after six months, and even toddlers are at risk of reduced nutrient intake in children. 
If parents have less knowledge and are less concerned about the problem, then the children 
are at risk of a lack of additional food intake that can have an impact on the incidence of 
stunting in toddlers. Likewise, the history of low birth weight in Table 2 shows that only four 
toddlers (11.4%) reported low birth weight, while (78.6%) reported normal birth weight. This 
also shows that stunting is not only caused by a history of low birth weight, but there are still 
many other factors, including nutritional intake after birth, also affect the incidence. Septira 
and Anggraini's research results (2016) in Lampung show that proper nutrition early on could 
help prevent growth disorders in infants with low birth weight (LBW) (20). Providing adequate 
nutrition early on infants with low birth weight will pursue infant growth, so the infant 
experiences normal growth.    

CONCLUSIONS  

This research concluded that the characteristics of mothers of stunting toddlers in Pekuncen 
village Wiradesa, Pekalongan are 82.7% of basic education level, 77.1% of family income < 
regional minimum salary in Pekalongan District, 68.6% have less nutrition knowledge level, 
31.4% had sufficient nutrition knowledge. There are no mothers who have adequate nutrition 
knowledge, and 42.9% provided parenting with the democratic type of feeding. In comparison, 
14.3% of mothers give neglect parenting type, 25.7% of mothers gave care pattern of 
permissive feeding, and 17.1 authoritarian type. While the characteristics of stunting toddlers 
are 68.6% female, 37.1% aged 3-4 years, 28.6% aged 1-3 years, 42.9% do not get exclusive 
breastfeeding, and 88.6% have a history of normal birth weight.  

 

 

 



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Authors’ contribution 

IHR, NV, and FL contributed to licensing and the data collection, SR contributed to the data 
analysis, report writing and manuscript publication. 

Funding 

This research has not received external funding 

Conflict of interest 

There is no conflict of interest in this research.  

 

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