How Government Systems Shape Child Stunting: Lessons from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Mexico

What is it about?

Child stunting occurs when children do not grow properly due to long-term poor nutrition, repeated illness, and limited access to health services. It can affect physical development, learning ability, and future economic opportunities. This study examines how different government approaches influence efforts to reduce child stunting in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Mexico. The research compares three types of governance systems. Indonesia applies a decentralized approach, where local governments play a major role in implementation. Malaysia uses a centralized system with strong national coordination. Mexico adopts a hybrid model, combining national policies with community-based and social protection programs. The study is based on policy analysis and interviews with government officials, health workers, and community representatives. The findings show that effective stunting reduction depends not only on nutrition programs, but also on how well governments coordinate across sectors and levels. Malaysia benefits from strong national leadership, though rural areas still face challenges. Indonesia’s flexible local system allows adaptation to community needs, but limited administrative capacity and weak coordination often slow progress. Mexico’s integrated approach, linking health services with social protection and community participation, has helped achieve better outcomes. Overall, the study highlights the importance of clear coordination, local capacity, and inclusive participation. These lessons provide practical guidance for policymakers seeking to improve child health and achieve sustainable development goals.

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Why is it important?

Child stunting occurs when children do not grow properly due to long-term poor nutrition, repeated illness, and limited access to health services. It can limit physical growth, learning ability, and future economic opportunities. This study examines how different government systems shape efforts to reduce child stunting in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Mexico. What makes this article unique is that it does not focus only on nutrition programs or health interventions. Instead, it compares how governments organize, coordinate, and govern stunting policies across countries with decentralized, centralized, and hybrid systems. Few studies look across national boundaries to understand how governance structures themselves influence child health outcomes. The article is also timely. Many countries are reassessing public health governance in response to persistent inequality, uneven service delivery, and the urgency of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By drawing lessons from three middle-income countries facing similar challenges, this study provides practical insights that are relevant beyond a single national context. The findings show that strong coordination, clear roles across government levels, and meaningful community participation can make stunting policies more effective. Mexico’s integration of health and social protection, Malaysia’s national coordination, and Indonesia’s local adaptability each offer lessons for policymakers. By highlighting governance—not just funding or technical solutions—this article helps policymakers, practitioners, and researchers rethink how child nutrition programs are designed and implemented, making it especially valuable for readers in public administration, public health, and development studies.

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