Background: Prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) drive infant morbidity and mortality,
requiring nutritional interventions, especially in food-insecure settings. In Indonesia,
regional disparities in food security hinder adequate nutrition for premature and
LBW infants, exacerbating health challenges. The aim of study is to investigate and
determine factors associated with prematurity and LBW in children from food-insecure
and food-secure households. Methods: This research employed a cross-sectional study
with 657 mothers of children aged 36–59 months, conducted using random sampling. Data
was collected via standardized questionnaires and analyzed using Chi-square tests
and logistic regression. Results: The adjusted model showed that children of food-insecure
households had a higher risk of LBW (AOR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.29–0.99; p < 0.05). LBWs
were found to significantly less occur in food-insecure households. Low maternal education
was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (AOR = 3.23; 95% CI:1.78–5.84;
p < 0.001). Furthermore, prematurity correlated with house ownership (p < 0.01), indicating
the household’s wealth condition. Maternal education and house ownership were linked
to prematurity, indicating the risk to child health outcomes. In summary, maternal
education, employment status, and household income were linked to food insecurity,
indicating the risk to child health outcomes. Conclusion: Strategies to improve child
health outcomes are essential, including enhancing maternal nutrition knowledge to
improve child feeding practices, promoting gender equality in career development,
and reducing food insecurity in households.
