Hubungan pengetahuan ibu tentang gizi, asupan energi, dan asupan protein dengan kejadian stunting pada balita

Dinda Amanda Putri (Universitas Mitra Indonesia)
Asep Jalaludin Saleh (Universitas Mitra Indonesia)
Dewi Woro Astuti (Universitas Mitra Indonesia)

CHI JOURNAL OF Community Health Issues
Vol. 3 No. 3 (2026): August Edition 2026

Background: Stunting remains one of the major public health challenges among children under five in Indonesia, as it can negatively affect physical growth, cognitive development, academic performance, and future productivity. Stunting is influenced by various factors, including maternal nutritional knowledge and the adequacy of children's energy and protein intake. Mothers with adequate nutritional knowledge are generally better able to implement appropriate feeding practices to support optimal child growth and development. Purpose: To determine the association between maternal nutritional knowledge, children's energy intake, and children's protein intake with stunting among children under five in the working area of UPTD Puskesmas Punggur, Central Lampung Regency, in 2026. Method: This study employed an analytic observational design with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 72 mothers were selected from a population of 264 using proportionate random sampling. Maternal nutritional knowledge was assessed using a structured questionnaire, while children's energy and protein intake were assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall method. Stunting status was determined based on the height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) obtained from anthropometric measurements. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and the Chi-Square test. Results: The results showed that 47.2% of mothers had poor nutritional knowledge, 52.8% of children had inadequate energy intake, and 48.6% had inadequate protein intake. The prevalence of stunting, including the categories of stunted and severely stunted, was 41.7%. Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between maternal nutritional knowledge, energy intake, protein intake, and stunting among children under five (p<0.05). Conclusion: There were significant associations between maternal nutritional knowledge, children's energy intake, and protein intake with stunting among children under five. Improving maternal nutritional knowledge and ensuring adequate energy and protein intake are important aspects of stunting prevention and the promotion of optimal growth among children under five.