<![CDATA[The problem of toddler nutritional status remains a public health challenge in Indonesia, including in Kotawaringin Barat Regency, where the stunting rate is still above the national target. Mothers play a primary role in fulfilling children’s nutritional needs, so maternal employment and mental health are suspected to be factors influencing toddler nutritional status. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between maternal employment and mental health and the nutritional status of toddlers in the Working Area of Kumai Public Health Center. A quantitative study with a cross-sectional approach. The population consisted of 716 mothers with toddlers, a sample of 88 respondents was determined using Slovin's formula and selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a maternal employment questionnaire, the SRQ‑20 instrument, and anthropometric measurements. Relational analysis used the Spearman Rank correlation test with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Most mothers were unemployed (55.68%), had good mental health (86.36%), and toddlers had good nutritional status (73.86%). There was no significant relationship between maternal employment and toddler nutritional status (r = 0.113; P-value = 0.296), nor was there a relationship between maternal mental health and toddler nutritional status (r = 0.100; P-value = 0.352). Maternal employment and mental health have not been proven to be significantly related to toddler nutritional status.]]>
