Introduction: Evidence-based food security interventions are more likely to be effective and impactful. Despite substantial investments in food and nutrition programmes, empirical evidence connecting community-level food security conditions with nutrition status across diverse rural contexts remains limited. This study aimed to link key food security indicators with nutritional status to support more targeted interventions. Methods: Cross-sectional household surveys were conducted in 2023 among 1,016 farming households across 36 rural villages in South Sumatra, South Sulawesi, and East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, categorised as high, moderate, and low geographical accessibility. Anthropometric data were collected from mothers in the household, with body mass index (BMI) representing nutritional status. Five key food security indicators that measured food availability, access, and utilisation were analysed: food source, household food insecurity, food expenditure share, dietary diversity, and nutrition knowledge. Pearson’s chi-square test assessed associations between BMI and the indicators within each accessibility group; significant indicators were identified as key determinants. Results: Food source, particularly reliance on homegrown foods, was a key determinant of nutritional status in low-accessibility villages. In moderately accessible villages, nutrition knowledge and food expenditure share were significantly associated with BMI. No significant associations emerged in highly accessible villages, suggesting more complex food environments in periurban settings. Conclusion: Geographical accessibility shapes the determinants of nutritional status. Recommended interventions include enhancing subsistence food production in low-accessibility areas, strengthening financial and nutrition literacy in moderately accessible areas, and expanding nutrition education in highly accessible areas. Tailored approaches can improve the effectiveness of food and nutrition programmes across rural Indonesia.

The magnitude of the problem of stunting is high in low- to middle-income countries, including Indonesia. The government of Indonesia has implemented specific and sensitive intervention programs to reduce this problem. This public health problem requires multidisciplinary management with suitable approaches and programs. In the first 1000 days of life, the quality of life is determined by conception and delivery until two years old.The requirement and fulfillment of nutrients during this period would benefit the growth and development of children. Indonesia is an archipelago country with 100,000 km of coastline and 16,771 islands with great potential for fishing. In coastal areas, optimizing protein consumption from the sea and enhancing educational programs in psychosocial care are appropriate intervention programs that will benefit stunting eradication. The complexity of the stunting problem puts authorities and other stakeholders together to formulate and design appropriate comprehensive intervention programs to improve the quality of life of the next generation.

The magnitude of the problem of stunting is high in low- to middle-income countries, including Indonesia. The government of Indonesia has implemented specific and sensitive intervention programs to reduce this problem. This public health problem requires multidisciplinary management with suitable approaches and programs. In the first 1000 days of life, the quality of life is determined by conception and delivery until two years old.The requirement and fulfillment of nutrients during this period would benefit the growth and development of children. Indonesia is an archipelago country with 100,000 km of coastline and 16,771 islands with great potential for fishing. In coastal areas, optimizing protein consumption from the sea and enhancing educational programs in psychosocial care are appropriate intervention programs that will benefit stunting eradication. The complexity of the stunting problem puts authorities and other stakeholders together to formulate and design appropriate comprehensive intervention programs to improve the quality of life of the next generation.

The magnitude of the problem of stunting is high in low- to middle-income countries, including Indonesia. The government of Indonesia has implemented specific and sensitive intervention programs to reduce this problem. This public health problem requires multidisciplinary management with suitable approaches and programs. In the first 1000 days of life, the quality of life is determined by conception and delivery until two years old.The requirement and fulfillment of nutrients during this period would benefit the growth and development of children. Indonesia is an archipelago country with 100,000 km of coastline and 16,771 islands with great potential for fishing. In coastal areas, optimizing protein consumption from the sea and enhancing educational programs in psychosocial care are appropriate intervention programs that will benefit stunting eradication. The complexity of the stunting problem puts authorities and other stakeholders together to formulate and design appropriate comprehensive intervention programs to improve the quality of life of the next generation.

The magnitude of the problem of stunting is high in low- to middle-income countries, including Indonesia. The government of Indonesia has implemented specific and sensitive intervention programs to reduce this problem. This public health problem requires multidisciplinary management with suitable approaches and programs. In the first 1000 days of life, the quality of life is determined by conception and delivery until two years old.The requirement and fulfillment of nutrients during this period would benefit the growth and development of children. Indonesia is an archipelago country with 100,000 km of coastline and 16,771 islands with great potential for fishing. In coastal areas, optimizing protein consumption from the sea and enhancing educational programs in psychosocial care are appropriate intervention programs that will benefit stunting eradication. The complexity of the stunting problem puts authorities and other stakeholders together to formulate and design appropriate comprehensive intervention programs to improve the quality of life of the next generation.

The magnitude of the problem of stunting is high in low- to middle-income countries, including Indonesia. The government of Indonesia has implemented specific and sensitive intervention programs to reduce this problem. This public health problem requires multidisciplinary management with suitable approaches and programs. In the first 1000 days of life, the quality of life is determined by conception and delivery until two years old.The requirement and fulfillment of nutrients during this period would benefit the growth and development of children. Indonesia is an archipelago country with 100,000 km of coastline and 16,771 islands with great potential for fishing. In coastal areas, optimizing protein consumption from the sea and enhancing educational programs in psychosocial care are appropriate intervention programs that will benefit stunting eradication. The complexity of the stunting problem puts authorities and other stakeholders together to formulate and design appropriate comprehensive intervention programs to improve the quality of life of the next generation.