Dataset: Stunting and Its Association with Education and Cognitive Outcomes in Adulthood: A Longitudinal Study in Indonesia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Stunting is associated with adverse outcomes in adulthood. This article specifically aims to analyse the relationship between childhood stunting and education as well as cognitive outcomes for adults in Indonesia.&nbsp;Pooled data from two waves of the Indonesia Family Life Survey in 1993 and 1997, identified 4851 children aged 0-5 by their stunting status as well as their relative height to be compared for their differences in educational outcomes and cognitive abilities in 2014. Height-for-age z-score was used to proxy relative height and determine stunting status based on 2006 WHO child&rsquo;s growth standards. The outcomes for education and cognitive abilities include educational levels, years of schooling, age of school entry, failing a grade, and scores for cognitive tests. The study employs estimation models of pooled regressions and instrumental variables.&nbsp;Stunting and relatively small stature had a significant association with cognitive development, and they worked as an intermediary to cognitive developmental barriers manifested in reduced educational outcomes. A lack of one SD in height-for-age was associated with a 0.125-point reduction in education level, 0.4 years shortened length of the school, 6% higher chances of failing grades and dropouts from secondary school, and 0.19-0.24 SD lowered cognitive and numerical scores. Similarly, stunting tends to decrease cognitive test scores by 0.56-0.8 SD compared to non-stunting and reduce educational achievement by 0.38 points, 1.4 years shorter schooling, 17.7% and 23% more likely to fail grades. In addition, HAZ and stunting are also associated with the school entry age of 0.35 and 0.11 years, respectively.</p>