Children Without Exclusive Breastfeeding Face an 8.6 Times Higher Risk of Stunting, UKI Researchers Study Finds

Multitech Publisher Senin, September 21, 2026
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FORMOSA NEWS - Jakarta - Children aged 2 to 4 years who did not receive exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life have up to an 8.6 times higher risk of experiencing stunting compared to those who were exclusively breastfed. This critical finding was revealed in a study led by Ida Bagus Eka Utama Wija and a team of researchers from Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI), published in the Indonesian Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR) in 2026. Conducted at the Warakas Integrated Health Post (Posyandu) RW 010, North Jakarta, in mid-2022, the study underscores how crucial exclusive breastfeeding is as an early preventive measure against physical and cognitive growth impairments in children.

The background of this study stems from the significant burden of childhood stunting in Indonesia. Stunting is a condition characterized by impaired linear growth resulting from chronic malnutrition, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life, from conception until a child reaches two years of age. The condition has long-term adverse effects, impairing not only height but also cognitive development, immune function, and future economic productivity. Although breast milk is known to be rich in nutrients and antibodies that protect infant digestion, the direct impact of an exclusive breastfeeding history on stunting at the community level needs continuous empirical validation to strengthen primary healthcare programs.

To examine this relationship, the research team employed an analytic observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The study involved 70 mother-child pairs with children aged 2–4 years, selected using purposive sampling at Posyandu Warakas RW 010. Primary data collection was conducted on July 18, 2022, involving direct measurements of the children's weight and height, which were processed using WHO Anthro software to calculate height-for-age Z-scores based on WHO Child Growth Standards. Information regarding exclusive breastfeeding history, defined as feeding an infant only breast milk without additional foods or liquids for the first six months, and maternal characteristics was gathered through structured questionnaires that underwent validity and reliability testing. Data were statistically analyzed using Fisher's exact test and Odds Ratio (OR) calculations.

The results demonstrated a highly statistically significant link. Out of the 70 children surveyed, 12 (17.1%) were classified as stunted, while 58 (82.9%) had normal growth. Examining breastfeeding history, 46 children (65.7%) had received exclusive breastfeeding, while 24 (34.3%) had not.

Key findings of the study include:

  • Among children without a history of exclusive breastfeeding, the stunting rate reached 37.5% (9 out of 24 children).
  • Among children who received exclusive breastfeeding, the stunting rate was markedly lower at just 6.5% (3 out of 46 children).
  • Fisher's exact test yielded a p-value of 0.002 (p < 0.05), confirming a statistically significant association between exclusive breastfeeding history and stunting incidence.
  • The calculated Odds Ratio (OR) was 8.6, indicating that children without exclusive breastfeeding had 8.6 times higher odds of being stunted than those who received exclusive breastfeeding.

The implications of these findings are substantial for public health policy and primary care services like Posyandu. The study highlights that exclusive breastfeeding education must move beyond theory and be actively supported within families and communities. Although most mothers in this study demonstrated good nutritional knowledge (78.6%), practical challenges in exclusive breastfeeding persist. Strengthening the role of Posyandu health cadres to provide lactation counseling starting during pregnancy, alongside continuous nutritional guidance after six months through balanced complementary feeding (MPASI), remains essential to breaking the cycle of stunting in Indonesia.

In their report, the researchers emphasized the role of early nutritional protection in child development. "Exclusive breastfeeding provides nutrition tailored to an infant's physiological needs and delivers immunological protection during a critical growth window. The absence of exclusive breastfeeding increases exposure to infections and nutrient deficits, contributing to growth faltering," noted the research team from Universitas Kristen Indonesia.

Researcher Profiles

  • Ida Bagus Eka Utama Wija: Lecturer and researcher at Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI) specializing in child health and community nutrition.
  • Nia Reviani: Researcher and academic at Universitas Kristen Indonesia.
  • Ribka Sebrina: Researcher at Universitas Kristen Indonesia.
  • Chatrine Angelica: Researcher at Universitas Kristen Indonesia.
  • Sena Pongtuluran: Researcher and academic at Universitas Kristen Indonesia.

Study Reference

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