Exclusive breastfeeding and maternal employment as determinants of toddler nutritional status in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Burhanuddin Syam* -  Bachelor of Public Health Study Program, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Aceh, Indonesia
Evi Dewi Yani -  Bachelor of Public Health Study Program, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Aceh, Indonesia
Rahmayani Rahmayani -  Bachelor of Public Health Study Program, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Aceh, Indonesia
Ismail Ismail -  Faculty of Nursing, Poltekkes Kemenkes Aceh, Indonesia
Nisrina Hanum -  Bachelor of Public Health Study Program, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Aceh, Indonesia
Munalita Munalita -  Bachelor of Public Health Study Program, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Aceh, Indonesia
DOI : 10.30867/action.v11i2.3046

Child malnutrition remains a significant public health concern with long-term consequences for growth, cognitive development and morbidity. This study aimed to examine the association between exclusive breastfeeding, maternal employment, and nutritional status of toddlers in the Lampaseh Health Center area of Banda Aceh. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 47 mothers selected through random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and verified using health records. Nutritional status was assessed using the weight-for-age (WAZ) indicator, based on WHO standards. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and odds ratios (OR). The results showed that children of employed mothers were more likely to be undernourished than those of unemployed mothers (OR = 5.25; p = 0.029). Similarly, toddlers who were not exclusively breastfed had a higher likelihood of undernutrition than those who were exclusively breastfed (OR = 10.77; p = 0.001). In conclusion, exclusive breastfeeding and maternal employment are significant determinants of the nutritional status of toddlers. However, the cross-sectional design and small sample size limit the causal inference and generalizability of the results. Strengthening breastfeeding support and targeted interventions for working mothers is recommended to improve child nutrition outcomes.

Keywords : Exclusive breastfeeding, nutritional status, occupation, toddler

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Open Access Copyright (c) 2026 Burhanuddin Syam, Evi Dewi Yani, Rahmayani, Ismail, Nisrina Hanum, Munalita
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

AcTion: Aceh Nutrition Journal
Published by: Department of Nutrition at the Health Polytechnic of Aceh, Ministry of Health.
Soekarno-Hatta Street, No. 168. Health Polytechnic of Aceh, Aceh Besar, 23352. Telp/Fax: 0651 46126 / 0651 46121.
Website: https://gizipoltekkesaceh.ac.id/
E-mail: jurnal6121@gmail.com

e-issn: 2548-5741, p-issn: 2527-3310

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