The Influence of Working Parents on Malnutrition in Children: A Cross–sectional Experience Study

Background: Malnutrition among children remains a major public health concern in Indonesia, despite a gradual decline in prevalence. Parental occupation and caregiving capacity have been suggested as key determinants influencing nutritional outcomes. Objective: To investigate the association between parental occupation and malnutrition among children in a hospital-based setting. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records of 90 malnourished children admitted to the Pediatric Ward of University of Muhammadiyah Malang Hospital. Results: Of the 90 patients, 25 (27.8%) were classified as severely malnourished. A significant association was found between parental occupation and malnutrition severity (p: 0.001), with children of formally employed parents more likely to experience severe malnutrition. Gender differences were also significant (p: 0.047), with a higher proportion of girls in the severe malnutrition group. No significant differences were found in age, comorbidities, or district of residence. Conclusion: Parental occupation is significantly associated with the severity of malnutrition in children. Formal employment may limit caregiving capacity and feeding practices, increasing the risk of severe malnutrition. Interventions should focus on caregiver support, nutritional education, and workplace policies to improve child health outcomes.