Factors Associated With the Incidence of Wasting in Toddlers in Jamika Village, Bandung City in 2025

Abstract

Wasting is one of the most severe forms of acute malnutrition that occurs due to an imbalance between nutrient intake and bodily needs over a short period of time. This condition is a critical indicator of child nutritional status and significantly increases the risk of illness and mortality. Based on anthropometric measurements conducted in RW 03, Jamika Sub-district, Bandung City, in 2025, the prevalence of wasting among children under five was found to be 8.9%. This study aims to identify the factors associated with the incidence of wasting in this area. The research employed a quantitative method with a cross-sectional design. A total of 56 respondents were selected using total sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, anthropometric measurements, and 2x24-hour food recalls. The univariate analysis revealed that 69.6% of mothers had good nutritional knowledge, 76.8% of children had normal dietary intake, 51.8% had experienced infections less than three times in the past three months, and 76.8% received exclusive breastfeeding. Bivariate analysis using the Chi-square test showed significant associations between maternal nutritional knowledge (p=0.040), dietary intake (p=0.000), infectious diseases (p=0.015), and exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.041) with the incidence of wasting. In conclusion, this study found that maternal knowledge, dietary patterns, frequency of infections, and exclusive breastfeeding practices are significantly related to the incidence of wasting among children under five. Preventive efforts should focus on enhancing maternal nutrition education, routine growth monitoring at community health posts, promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, and early treatment of infections.