Objectives: This study examined stunting at birth and its associations with physical factors of parents and children in Indonesia. Methods: This study analyzed secondary data from the national cross-sectional Indonesian Basic Health Survey 2018, conducted across 34 provinces and 514 districts/cities. Birth length data were available for 756 newborns. Univariable, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations between the physical factors of parents and children and stunting at birth. Results: In total, 10.2% of children aged 0 months were stunted at birth (10.7% of males and 9.5% of females). Stunting at birth was associated with the mother’s age at first pregnancy, parity, parents’ heights, parents’ ages, and gestational age. Children from mothers with short statures (height <145.0 cm) and fathers with short statures (height <161.9 cm) had an almost 6 times higher likelihood of being stunted at birth (adjusted odds ratio, 5.93; 95% confidence interval, 5.53 to 6.36). A higher maternal age at first pregnancy had a protective effect against stunting. However, other variables (firstborn child, preterm birth, and both parents’ ages being <20 or >35 years) corresponded to a 2-fold higher likelihood of stunting at birth compared to the reference. Conclusions These findings provide evidence that interventions to reduce stunting aimed at pregnant females should also consider the parents’ stature, age, and parity, particularly if it is the first pregnancy and if the parents are short in stature or young. Robust programs to support pregnant females and monitor children’s heights from birth will help prevent intergenerational stunting.

Objectives: This study examined stunting at birth and its associations with physical factors of parents and children in Indonesia. Methods: This study analyzed secondary data from the national cross-sectional Indonesian Basic Health Survey 2018, conducted across 34 provinces and 514 districts/cities. Birth length data were available for 756 newborns. Univariable, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations between the physical factors of parents and children and stunting at birth. Results: In total, 10.2% of children aged 0 months were stunted at birth (10.7% of males and 9.5% of females). Stunting at birth was associated with the mother’s age at first pregnancy, parity, parents’ heights, parents’ ages, and gestational age. Children from mothers with short statures (height <145.0 cm) and fathers with short statures (height <161.9 cm) had an almost 6 times higher likelihood of being stunted at birth (adjusted odds ratio, 5.93; 95% confidence interval, 5.53 to 6.36). A higher maternal age at first pregnancy had a protective effect against stunting. However, other variables (firstborn child, preterm birth, and both parents’ ages being <20 or >35 years) corresponded to a 2-fold higher likelihood of stunting at birth compared to the reference. Conclusions These findings provide evidence that interventions to reduce stunting aimed at pregnant females should also consider the parents’ stature, age, and parity, particularly if it is the first pregnancy and if the parents are short in stature or young. Robust programs to support pregnant females and monitor children’s heights from birth will help prevent intergenerational stunting.

Introduction: Stunting remains a predominant global health problem and Indonesia is no exception. This analysis aims to determine the major factors of stunting among children aged 0-23 months, using data from the Bogor Longitudinal Study on Child Growth and Development (BLSCGD). Methods: The BLSCGD was conducted by the Center for Public Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health, Indonesia. This analysis used part of the BLSCGD data. A total of 320 children aged above 23 months were included. Anthropometric measurements were performed by trained enumerators each month from the first month of birth until 23 months of age. The analyses of survival resilience was conducted using survival statistics test using life table and Kaplan Meier, whereby the case for this survival analysis was the occurrence of stunting. Factors affecting stunting (including children and maternal characteristics) were tested using cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Determinants of stunting were birth weight with hazards regressions (HR) score=1.847; 95% CI: 1.282-2.662), birth length (HR=1.567; 1.034-2.375), and maternal height (HR=1.436; 1.014–2.030). The probability of children not being stunted decreased with increase in age. Conclusion: Birth weight and length at birth, and maternal short stature were the dominant risks factors of stunting among the study children aged 0-23 months.