Irregular dietary habits as a predictor of stunting occurrence among children under 5 years of age: a literature review

To identify the illustration of feeding patterns of stunting children using literature review method. This study was a descriptive narrative research using literature review approach to explore dietary habits of children with stunting problem. All the literature review processes employed Guideline Review measurement of Joanna Briggs Institute. Related articles in literature were obtained from journal databases, such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Dimensions through structured research question with Patient, Exposure an interest, Outcome or response (PEO) methods. This study found 2246 published articles from 2018 to 2021 about children with stunting. Screening process was conducted further to eliminate articles with irrelevant titles and abstracts, and also the unsuitable articles with the research question; hence, about 9 articles were eligible to be reviewed ahead. All these articles mentioned that children with irregular dietary habits would likely experience stunting. The low intake of nutritional food became the major predictor of stunting. Inappropriate feeding patterns and the variety of food were being the factors of stunting emergence among children <5 years of age. High consumption of carbohydrates, less animal-based protein, and misunderstanding about intake of sweetened-condensed milk predisposed children to suffer stunting.