Wasting is a form of acute malnutrition characterized by significant and rapid weight loss resulting from inadequate food intake and infectious diseases. This study was to investigate the factors associated with wasting in children aged 6–23 months and the dominant factor among these. The study followed a cross-sectional study design. A total sample of 261 children was selected using multistage random sampling from 13 integrated healthcare centres in six administrative villages located in three sub-districts of Central Jakarta. Data was collected by measuring body weight and height and questionnaires completed through interviews carried out by trained data collectors. This study shows that the prevalence of wasting in children aged 6–23 months in Central Jakarta is 6.9%. Based on logistic regression analysis, fulfillment Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) (OR=3.2 90% CI 1.1-9.5) was found to be the dominant factor in wasting after controlling by mother's level of education (OR=1.7 90% CI 0.7–4.2) and the level of family income (OR=2.9; 90% CI 0.9-8.9). This research shows that there is a need for improvement of maternal behaviour in providing appropriate care for children. Based on this research, we recommend that intervention on appropriate breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices be strengthened, especially for mothers with low levels of education and family income.AbstrakWasting adalah salah satu bentuk malnutrisi akut yang ditandai dengan penurunan berat badan yang signifikan dan cepat akibat asupan makanan yang tidak memadai dan penyakit infeksi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan wasting pada anak usia 6-23 bulan dan untuk mengetahui faktor dominan di antaranya. Penelitian menggunakan desain studi cross-sectional. Sampel berjumlah 261 anak dipilih dengan menggunakan multistage random sampling dari 13 puskesmas di enam kelurahan yang berada di tiga kecamatan di Jakarta Pusat. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan mengukur berat badan dan tinggi badan serta pengisian kuesioner melalui wawancara yang dilakukan oleh pengumpul data terlatih. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa prevalensi wasting pada anak umur 6–23 bulan di Jakarta Pusat sebesar 6,9%. Berdasarkan analisis regresi logistik, pemenuhan Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) (OR = 3,2 90% CI 1,1-9,5) ditemukan menjadi faktor dominan kejadian wasting selah dikontrol oleh tingkat pendidikan ibu (OR = 1,7 90% CI 0,7– 4.2) dan tingkat pendapatan keluarga (OR = 2.9; 90% CI 0.9-8.9). Penelitian ini menunjukkan perlunya peningkatan perilaku ibu dalam memberikan pengasuhan yang tepat kepada anak. Berdasarkan penelitian ini, kami merekomendasikan agar intervensi praktik pemberian ASI dan MP-ASI yang tepat diperkuat, terutama bagi ibu dengan tingkat pendidikan dan pendapatan keluarga yang rendah.

Introduction: Stunting is a condition characterised by retardation in the growth and development of children as a result of chronic inadequate nutritional intake and/or recurrent infectious diseases. This research aims to determine the factors related to stunting occurrence among children aged 6-23 months. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2019. The sample was 231 children selected by multistage random sampling technique from 13 Posyandu (integrated healthcare centres) in six administrative villages located across three sub-districts of the Central Jakarta region. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of stunting was 26.0% and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) was only met by 31.6% of the children studied. Chi-square analysis revealed that short birth length (OR=2.176; 95% CI: 1.155–4.098) and family income level (OR=0.388; 95% CI: 0.201–0.749) were significantly associated with stunting. Logistic regression showed that fulfilment of MAD, short birth length (OR=0.471; 95% CI: 0.244–0.909), and family income (OR=0.387; 95% CI: 0.197–0.759) were significant factors for stunting among children 6-23 months in Central Jakarta in 2019, with fulfilment of MAD as a dominant factor (OR=3.29; 95% CI: 1.171–9.241). Conclusion: More efforts need to be done to achieve the recommended MAD for all children aged between 6-23 months and to prevent short birth length. Large scale studies to explore the role of MAD in reducing stunting and qualitative studies to identify the constraints and promoting factors to better infant and young child feeding practices are imperative for programme improvement.