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Introduction: Stunting and undernutrition remain critical public health challenges in Indonesia, particularly among in digenous communities where cultural traditions, food insecu rity, and limited access to health services intersect. Evidence on child nutrition in Sundanese indigenous villages is limited.
Objectives: This study investigated the nutritional status of children under five in two Sundanese indigenous commu nities and explored its multifactorial determinants, including food security, dietary diversity, nutrient adequacy, breastfeed ing practices, morbidity, and participation in Posyandu (com munity health posts). Research Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Naga and Pasir Sundanese Indigenous Villages, West Java, involving 100 children aged 24–59 months and their care givers. Data were collected using validated questionnaires and 24-hour dietary recalls, while nutritional status was as sessed with WHO growth standards. Logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of underweight, stunting, wast ing, and overnutrition.
Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wast ing was 17%, 34%, and 3%, respectively. Food insecurity was reported in 41% of households, and 39% of children did not meet minimum dietary diversity. Food security was a protective factor against underweight (OR=0.061, 95% CI:0.005–0.706) and stunted (OR=0.218, 95% CI:0.053-0.900). Children who did not attend Posyandu in the past year were over 4 times more likely to be stunted than those attending monthly (OR=4.530, 95% CI:0.234-87.827). Age and sex also emerged as significant non-modifiable determinants.
Conclusions: Undernutrition in Sundanese indigenous vil lages is shaped by dietary, health, and socio-cultural factors. Strategies to reduce stunting should include strengthening food security, improving dietary diversity, ensuring micronu trient adequacy, promoting optimal infant feeding, and en hancing Posyandu participation through culturally sensitive, multisectoral approaches.
