Consumption of milk and dairy products as dominant factor of underweight among children aged 24-59 months in Java Island, Indonesia (IFLS 2014)

INTRODUCTION: Underweight is one of the most common forms of undernutrition suffered by children and has implications for both short and long term health problems. Characteristics of children, parents, and environment are factors affecting underweight in children, especially aged 24-59 months. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to find out the dominant factors affecting underweight in children aged 24-59 months in Java Island. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used secondary data from Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS) 2014. There were 1,270 children aged 24-59 months who were involved in this study. We conducted univariate analysis, bivariate analysis using chi-square, and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: This study found that 20.2% of children in Java were underweight. Based on bivariate analysis, variables that significantly associated (p < 0.05) with underweight were low birth weight (LBW), acute respiratory infection (ARI), diarrhoea, frequency of eating milk and dairy products, parental education level, and underweight father. Furthermore, based on multivariate analysis, low consumption of milk and dairy products was the dominant factor in this study (OR = 1.80). CONCLUSION: Factors related to underweight can be used to determine appropriate prevention and treatment in community levels, such as by promoting a balanced nutrition program and healthy behaviour.