ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research is to analyze the factors that influence stunted growth in infants in Indonesia and estimate the potential economic loss caused by it. The study method used is a descriptive and quantitative research study using secondary data from various related institutions in 2018. Data was collected from the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Central Statistics Bureau (CBS). Exploratory, descriptive analysis of the data was conducted; then, Microsoft Excel was used to process it. Potential economic losses due to stunting were determined using calculations from Konig (1995) and correction factors from Horton (1999). Special consideration was placed upon food and health when examining this subject. Additionally, there are other factors, such as household and family, complementary feeding, and infectious, community, and social factors. The estimated potential economic losses nationally due to stunting in toddlers is Rp12,394 billion – Rp55,773 billion. This potential economic loss value is around 0.31% – 1.41% of the average Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of Indonesia. This condition needs to be addressed by allocating more of the health budget for children, such as through daily feeding of additional milk, to avoid the increasing number of stunted toddlers,.
