The Relationship Between Parenting Practices and Stunting among Children Under Five

Introduction: Stunting remains a significant public health problem in Indonesia and reflects a condition of chronic malnutrition that adversely affects children’s physical growth and cognitive development. Parental parenting practices play a crucial role as direct determinants of the caregiving environment, including feeding practices, hygiene behaviors, and psychosocial stimulation.Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between parental parenting practices and the occurrence of stunting among children under five years of age in Kuala Bhee Village, Aceh Barat Regency.Materials & Methods: This study employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. All children under five residing in Kuala Bhee Village were included using a total sampling technique, resulting in 56 respondents. Parenting practices were assessed using a structured questionnaire, while nutritional status was determined based on height-for-age measurements. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test.Results: The prevalence of stunting among children under five was 46.4%, with 41.1% of respondents experiencing poor parenting practices. Children exposed to poor parenting practices were 2.72 times more likely to be stunted compared to those receiving good parenting practices (OR = 2.72; 95% CI: 0.91–8.16). However, this association was not statistically significant (p = 0.124).Conclusions: Although the relationship between parenting practices and stunting was not statistically significant, a meaningful trend of increased risk was observed among children exposed to poor parenting practices. These findings suggest that stunting prevention requires an integrated approach that not only improves parenting practices but also addresses broader socioeconomic and environmental factors.