Is agriculture connected with stunting in Indonesian children living in a rice surplus area? A case study in Demak regency, central Java

Abstract

Central Java province plays the main role in the production of food for national stocks in Indonesia, in which Demak is one of the 35 Regencies. Demak Regency had the sixth highest rice productivity in 2013, but at the same time, the seventh highest percentage of child malnutrition. This paradox between high rice productivity and low nutritional status of children triggered an interest in analyzing the correlations between agricultural production of households in the Demak Regency and the prevalence of stunting of children underfive. In December 2014 to February 2015, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in three sub-districts in Demak (Karanganyar, Dempet and Gajah) having the highest rice production and at the same time poor nutritional status of under-five children. The oldest under-five children from farmer family backgrounds were selected. Data on general characteristics, anthropometry of the children, as well as household socio-economics, including agricultural characteristics were obtained. Of the 335 children, 31.9% of them were stunted. A higher proportion of households that grew rice solely or mainly for own consumption (62.4%) and had significantly smaller sized ricefields (p = 0.041) had stunted rather than non-stunted children. In total, rice production, farm income and agriculture diversity of families with non-stunted children were not significantly different from those of stunted children. However, yearly expenditure for improving family health and environmental conditions were significantly higher among non-stunted than stunted children (p = 0.044). Family decisions about what to spend money on also seemed to influence the nutritional status of the children, rather than nutritional diversity or revenue from agriculture itself. Therefore, improvement of agricultural production and diversity should be accompanied by education on household expenditure.

Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices among children living in a rice surplus area, Central Java, Indonesia

“…In Demak, Karanganyar, Dempet and Gajah sub-districts were chosen because these subdistricts had a high rice productivity and a poor nutritional status of under-five-years-old children. In total, eight villages in Karanganyar, seven villages in Dempet and one village in Gajah were categorized as rice surplus areas and were then chosen as sites for data collection (Purwestri, et al 2017). Among farmer families, oldest children who were also less than five years old were included in the study, following informed consent.…”

Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status of Javanese Women in Rice Producing Areas: a Comparison between Lactating and Non-lactating Women

“…All locations were considered the rice buffer areas within the Demak Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Eight villages in Karanganyar, seven in Dempet, and one in Gajah, which were categorized as rice surplus areas, were chosen as sites for data collection (19).…”

Influence of agriculture on child nutrition through child feeding practices in India: A district-level analysis

“…Most rural households(around 70%) still depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihood, with 82% of farmers being small and marginal [ 39 ]. It has been found that agricultural production affects household consumption expenditure, which ensures food security, especially among small farmers [ 40 ]. There is limited evidence on the relationship between crop yield rate and child nutrition.…”