The Causes of Stunting in Toddlers: A Phenomenological Study in Aceh, Indonesia

Stunting is one of the nutritional problems faced in the world, especially in poor and developing countries. Stunting is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, suboptimal brain development resulting in delayed motor development and inhibited mental growth. This study aims to explore the causes of stunting in toddlers. This type of qualitative research involved a phenomenological design through in-depth interviews. Participants in this study were mothers who had toddlers with stunting health problems and lived together since the toddler was born, who were recruited by a purposive sampling technique, totaling six participants. The data collected in the form of in-depth interviews and field notes were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman technique. The study identified three main themes: feeding practices, health services utilization, and socio-economic influences. Community health centers should improve toddler nutrition programs through home visits and counseling, which can lead to positive behavioral changes related to stunting prevention in toddlers.