RISK FACTORS FOR STUNTING IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE :A SCOPING REVIEW

Stunting in children under five is a chronic nutritional problem that has a long-term impact on growth, development and productivity. Risk factors such as low birth weight (LBW), maternal education, economic status, and sanitation play an important role in stunting. This scoping review aims to map the scientific evidence on risk factors for stunting in children under five years of age, with a focus on the contribution of LBW. The review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines through searches in the Scopus and PubMed databases. Keywords used included stunting, children under 5 years, and risk factors. Inclusion criteria included Englishlanguage articles, published between 2015 and 2025, available in full-text, and discussing risk factors for stunting. Of the 848 articles, 14 were analyzed further. The prevalence of stunting in the studies ranged from 5.6% to 47.9%. LBW was the factor most consistently associated with stunting, with a 1.79 to 9-fold increased risk. Other factors such as low maternal education, incomplete immunization, and poor sanitation conditions also contribute. Stunting is influenced by biological, social, and environmental factors. LBW is a major determinant, and stunting prevention requires a multi-sectoral approach that includes improved mother-child nutrition, education, and sanitation.