AcTion: Aceh Nutrition Journal
Vol 11, No 2 (2026): June

Structural determinants of stunting among children aged 0–59 months: A PLS-SEM analysis of family, environmental, and health factors in Banten, Indonesia

Adam Sugiharto (Department Faculty of Human Ecology, Bogor Agricultural University, West Java, and Ministry of Population and Family Development/National Population and Family Planning Agency)
Megawati Simanjuntak (Faculty of Human Ecology, Bogor Agricultural University, West Java)
Yulina Eva Riany (Faculty of Human Ecology, Bogor Agricultural University, West Java)
Muhammad Rizal Martua Damanik (Faculty of Human Ecology, Bogor Agricultural University, West Java)
Diah Krisnatuti (Faculty of Human Ecology, Bogor Agricultural University, West Java)



Article Info

Publish Date
09 Jun 2026

Abstract

Stunting remains a major public health problem among children under five years of age in Indonesia, particularly among socioeconomically vulnerable families. Previous studies have mostly examined stunting determinants separately and rarely analyzed their structural relationships. This study aimed to analyze the structural relationships between family economic pressure, access to health facilities, feeding practices, and child nutritional status using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2025 in Sumur District, Banten Province, Indonesia, involving 402 mothers with children aged 0–59 months from families at risk of stunting. Data were collected through structured interviews, anthropometric measurements and standardized questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23 and SmartPLS 3.0. PLS-SEM analysis showed that family economic pressure significantly influenced feeding practices (β = 0.321; p < 0.001), and access to health facilities positively affected feeding practices (β = 0.130; p = 0.024). However, feeding practices did not significantly influence HAZ (β = 0.015; p = 0.768). Birth weight was associated with the nutritional status of the child. In conclusion, these findings highlight the importance of strengthening economic resilience and improving access to supportive health services in family based stunting prevention strategies.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

an

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

AcTion: Aceh Nutrition Journal merupakan jurnal gizi dan kesehatan dengan E-ISSN 2548-5741 dan ISSN 2527-3310. Jurnal ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan dalam penyampaian hasil penelitian sebagai media yang dapat digunakan untuk meregistrasi, mendiseminasi, dan mengarsipkan karya peneliti ...