Risk Factors for Stunting among Children Aged 24-59 Months: A Case-Control Study in Rural Stunting Hotspots, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Background. Stunting remains a major public health nutrition challenge in developing countries, including Indonesia, and is influenced by multiple factors at different levels. Aims. This study aimed to identify risk factors for stunting among children aged two to five years in Pleret and Pajangan Subdistricts, Bantul District, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Methods. We conducted a case-control study between January and March 2019 with 98 children (49 cases and 49 controls) selected using multistage random sampling. Cases were defined as children with a height-for-age z-score (HAZ) < −2 SD, and controls as children with HAZ > +2 SD. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine risk factors for stunting, adjusting for child, parental, and household characteristics. Results. Children who were breastfed for 12–23 months (AOR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.02–0.82) or for more than 24 months (AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.05–0.87) were less likely to be stunted. Short birth length increased the risk of stunting (AOR = 3.94; 95% CI: 1.40–11.1), while higher household economic status was protective (AOR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.04–0.66). Conclusions. Breastfeeding duration, birth length, and household economic status are significantly associated with stunting. Strengthening breastfeeding promotion and implementing both specific and sensitive interventions may accelerate progress toward reducing stunting and improving child growth outcomes.