Stunting Among Low-Income Families in Indonesia: Is Mother's Employment a Risk Factor?

Background: It is widely believed that poverty is a significant factor in causing stunting, and parental habits can also play a role. In this context, households with employed mothers are often suspected of increasing the risk of stunting in children. This study aimed to examine the role of maternal employment status in stunted children among low-income families in Indonesia. Study Design: A cross-sectional analysis. Methods: In general, 47 021 children were investigated in this study. The children's nutritional health and maternal work status were used as the outcome and variables, respectively. Seven control variables were evaluated, including residence type, marital status, mother's age, education level, child age, antenatal care (ANC), and gender. Finally, a binary logistic regression analysis was employed, ensuring the validity and reliability of the results. Results: Overall, 19.0% of Indonesian children under two from low-income households experienced stunted growth. Meanwhile, 23.5% of mothers were employed in low-income homes. Regarding nutritional status, the findings revealed that employed mothers had stunted kids, which is slightly higher than that in unemployed mothers. More importantly, it was found that unemployed mothers were 1.022 times more likely to have stunted kids than employed mothers (95% confidence interval: 1.015-1.030), underscoring the crucial role of maternal employment in child nutrition. Conclusion: Maternal employment status played a role in having stunted children among lowincome families, and unemployed mothers were a risk factor for having this type of child. Empowering unemployed mothers through job opportunities, financial support, and access to childcare and nutrition programs can help reduce child stunting in low-income families.