Exploring husbands contribution to toddler nutritional sufficiency: A socio-economic study from coastal and agromaritime communities

Abstract

Stunting remains a chronic nutritional problem that affects the quality of human resources in Indonesia, especially in coastal areas with low economic conditions. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between family economic conditions, the type of livelihood of the head of the household, and the role of parents in the nutritional adequacy of toddlers in families at risk of stunting in the Sumur District, Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province. A mixed methods approach was used, involving 402 housewives through surveys, in-depth interviews, and group discussions. Quantitative analysis was performed using the chi-square test and path analysis.The results showed that the father's occupation was not significantly related to the allocation of time for childcare (p = 0.176), but was significantly related to total assets (p = 0.012), and per capita income (p = 0.000). Economic pressure was found to influence mothers' time allocation for childcare (p = 0.000), and mothers' time was associated with their feeding practices (p = 0.001). However, the relationship between feeding practices and children's nutritional status was not significant, nor was the indirect pathway from mothers' time to nutritional status through feeding practices. These findings confirm that economic factors have a greater influence than parenting time on children's nutritional status. Efforts to reduce stunting need to be comprehensive, strengthening family economics, nutrition education, and father involvement in parenting.