Animal Protein Intake and Maternal Chronic Energy Deficiency during Pregnancy as Factors Associated with Stunting among Toddlers in North Buton Regency

Astrit Jelina (Lambale Community Health Center, Ereke, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia)
Sunarsih Sunarsih (Master of Public Health Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mandala Waluya University, Indonesia)
Rahmawati Rahmawati (Master of Public Health Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mandala Waluya University, Indonesia)

Waluya The International Science of Health Journal
Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026): Waluya The International Science of Health Journal

Introduction: Stunting in toddlers can be influenced by several factors such as food intake and infectious diseases. One of the causes of stunting is pregnant women who suffer from chronic energy deficiency (CED). This chronic energy deficiency causes stunted growth and development, so that babies can be born with a weight of less than 2500 grams and can have an impact on stunted growth in the future. The purpose of this study was to examine animal protein intake and Maternal Chronic Energy Deficiency during Pregnancy as Factors Associated with Stunting among Toddlers in North Buton Regency. Method: This study used a case-control study approach. The population was 3,654 people. The sample size was 204, consisting of 102 cases and 102 controls. The sampling technique used was simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using the odds ratio test and chi-square test. Result: The results of the study showed that animal protein intake had an OR of 2.129, LL value 1.217, UL 3.726, and X2 value 8.715. Pregnant women with CED had an OR of 2.496, LL value 1.403, UL 4.441, and X2 value 9.807. Conclusion: Shows that there is a relationship between animal protein intake, pregnant women with CED, and the incidence of stunting in toddlers in North Buton district.