CAUSES OF STUNTING IN TODDLERS

Abstract

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that remains a major public health challenge, particularly among toddlers. This condition is characterized by impaired linear growth due to long-term malnutrition and exposure to repeated infections, especially during the first 1,000 days of life. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the various causes, risk factors, and impacts of stunting in toddlers, with a particular focus on the role of maternal knowledge. The method used is a literature study, with data collected from national and international scientific articles through Google Scholar, PubMed, ResearchGate, and ScienceDirect, then analyzed descriptively and analytically using narrative synthesis to compare the findings of related studies discussing stunting in toddlers. The review results indicate that stunting is influenced by various factors, including inadequate nutritional intake, maternal health status, parenting patterns, sanitation and the environment, socioeconomic conditions, and low maternal knowledge regarding nutrition and child health. Maternal knowledge plays a crucial role in feeding practices, utilization of health services, and prevention of infectious diseases in toddlers. The impact of stunting is not limited to physical growth, but also affects cognitive development, productivity in adulthood, and increases the risk of degenerative diseases. The conclusion of this literature review shows that increasing maternal knowledge is a key strategy in efforts to prevent stunting in toddlers through ongoing nutrition and health education interventions.