<![CDATA[Background: Stunting (tengkes) remains a major nutritional problem in Indonesia and is closely related to child care, feeding practices, and household socioeconomic conditions.Objectives: To assess the effects of maternal knowledge, toddler feeding patterns, and parental income on stunting among toddlers in the service area of UPT Puskesmas Palingkau.Methods: This quantitative comparative study used a case–control design conducted at UPT Puskesmas Palingkau, Kapuas Murung Subdistrict, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan, from November 3 to 9, 2025. The population comprised mothers with toddlers aged 12–59 months; July population data recorded 146 stunted and 477 non-stunted toddlers. A proportional random sampling technique was applied with a 1:3 case-to-control ratio, yielding 204 respondents (51 cases and 153 controls). Maternal knowledge was measured using a questionnaire, feeding patterns were assessed based on toddler meal pattern categorization, and parental income was grouped into high/low categories. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and Odds Ratio (OR) estimation.Results: Low maternal knowledge was more common in cases than in controls (58.8% vs. 16.9%, p=0.001, OR=1.930). Low parental income was higher in cases than in controls (74.5% vs. 37.9%, p=0.001, OR=1.558). Poor feeding patterns predominated in cases (72.5% vs. 22.9%) with p=0.001 and OR=2.174.Conclusion: Maternal knowledge, parental income, and toddler feeding patterns were significantly associated with stunting. Strengthening nutrition education and improving dietary diversity, along with socioeconomic support for vulnerable households, are recommended to reduce stunting in the study area.]]>
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