The Correlation Between Gender and the Risk of Stunting in Toddlers: An Empirical Study in Enrekang Regency, South Sulawesi

Arbianingsih; Huriati Bahuddin; A. Adriana Amal

doi:10.32332/10.32332/jsga.v8i01.11374

Authors

Arbianingsih Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar, Indonesia
Huriati Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar, Indonesia
A. Adriana Amal Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32332/10.32332/jsga.v8i01.11374

Keywords:

Children under five years, Gender correlation, Nutritional status, Stunting incidence, Toddler

Abstract

Stunting among children under five remains a major chronic nutritional problem in Indonesia. Previous studies suggest that boys may be more vulnerable to stunting than girls. This study aimed to examine the correlation between gender and stunting incidence among children under five in Enrekang Regency, South Sulawesi Province. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed involving 100 children under five selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using anthropometric measurements, and height-for-age status was determined based on WHO Z-score standards. The association between gender and stunting was analyzed using the chi-square test. The findings revealed that 76.7% of boys and 64.9% of girls were classified as stunted. Although boys showed a higher prevalence of stunting, the statistical analysis indicated no significant association between gender and stunting incidence (p = 0.201). These results suggest that stunting is influenced not only by biological characteristics such as gender but also by broader determinants, including socioeconomic conditions, parenting practices, parental education, and access to health services. Therefore, stunting prevention requires a comprehensive and multidimensional intervention approach.

[Stunting pada anak balita masih menjadi masalah gizi kronis utama di Indonesia. Sejumlah penelitian menunjukkan bahwa anak laki-laki cenderung lebih rentan mengalami stunting dibandingkan anak perempuan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara jenis kelamin dan kejadian stunting pada anak balita di Kabupaten Enrekang, Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan desain potong lintang (cross-sectional) yang melibatkan 100 anak balita yang dipilih melalui teknik purposive sampling. Data dikumpulkan melalui pengukuran antropometri, sedangkan status tinggi badan menurut umur ditentukan berdasarkan standar Z-score WHO. Hubungan antara jenis kelamin dan kejadian stunting dianalisis menggunakan uji chi-square. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 76,7% anak laki-laki dan 64,9% anak perempuan mengalami stunting. Meskipun prevalensi stunting pada anak laki-laki lebih tinggi, hasil analisis statistik menunjukkan bahwa tidak terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara jenis kelamin dan kejadian stunting (p = 0,201). Temuan ini mengindikasikan bahwa stunting tidak hanya dipengaruhi oleh faktor biologis seperti jenis kelamin, tetapi juga oleh faktor lain, seperti kondisi sosial ekonomi, pola asuh, tingkat pendidikan orang tua, dan akses terhadap layanan kesehatan. Oleh karena itu, upaya pencegahan stunting memerlukan pendekatan yang komprehensif dan multidimensional].

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