The Association Between Calcium (Ca) Intake and Severity of Stunting Among Children Aged 6–24 Months in Working Area of Bagu Primary Health Care Center, Central Lombok Regency

Abstract

Stunting remains a major chronic nutritional problem and public health concern, particularly among children under two years of age. Calcium is an essential micronutrient involved in bone formation and mineralization that supports linear growth. This study aimed to determine the association between calcium intake and stunting severity among children aged 6–24 months. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 43 children recruited using total sampling. Calcium intake was assessed using a 1×24-hour food recall and analyzed using NutriSurvey. Stunting severity was determined based on length/height-for-age (LAZ/HAZ) according to World Health Organization growth standards. The association between calcium intake and stunting severity was analyzed using the Chi-square test with the Exact (Monte Carlo) approach. Most participants were aged 12–24 months (88.4%), with 67.4% classified as stunted and 32.6% as severely stunted. Most children had deficient calcium intake (95.3%), while 72.1% obtained calcium primarily from animal-based food sources. No significant association was found between calcium intake and stunting severity (p = 0.544). In conclusion, calcium intake was not significantly associated with stunting severity among children aged 6–24 months in the working area of Bagu Primary Health Care Center, Central Lombok Regency.