Interaction between nutritional status and physical activity on motor development among stunted children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v81.119465Keywords:
Motor development, nutritional status, physical activity, stuntingAbstract
Background: In addition to nutritional status, physical activity also plays an important role in supporting neuromuscular development and children’s motor skills. However, studies examining the interaction between nutritional status and physical activity on motor development among stunted children remain limited.
Methods: This study used an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach involving 120 stunted children aged 24–59 months. Samples were selected using proportional random sampling. Motor development was assessed using the Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II), while physical activity was measured using the Preschool-age Physical Activity Questionnaire (Pre-PAQ). Data were analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression tests with a significance level of p < 0.05 using IBM SPSS Statistics.
Results: Most respondents experienced delayed/suspect motor development (59.2%). There was a significant association between nutritional status and motor development (p = 0.001), as well as between physical activity and motor development (p = 0.000). Children with severe stunting and low physical activity had the highest proportion of delayed motor development (89.3%). Multivariate analysis showed that the interaction between severe stunting and low physical activity was the strongest factor associated with delayed motor development with an Adjusted OR of 6.25 (95% CI: 2.31–16.90; p = 0.000). Other significant factors included non-exclusive breastfeeding, history of infectious diseases, low family income, and inadequate developmental stimulation.
Conclusion: There was a significant interaction between nutritional status and physical activity on motor development among stunted children. Children with severe stunting and low physical activity had a higher risk of delayed motor development.
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