Relationship between dietary patterns and stunting in preschool children: a cohort analysis from Kwale, Kenya

Abstract

Objectives: Stunting is a significant cause of poor cognitive performance and lower school achievement. Stunting is observed among preschool children in several areas in Africa; however, not all children are affected, and children with and without stunting are seen in the same communities. Therefore, this study aimed to identify nutritional and other factors that prevent stunting that may exist in local communities. Study design: This is a prospective cohort study. Methods: Data were extracted from the Health and Demographic Surveillance System conducted in Kwale County, Kenya. The cohort consisted of all households with children less than five years old, within a radius of 2.2 km from a local health centre. A dietary pattern (DP) survey with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was conducted on caretakers of children who were voluntary participated from the cohort between June 2012 and August 2012. Using cluster analysis, the children were assigned to a DP group. Logistic regression analysis was applied to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of DPs for stunting controlling for other factors. Results: In total, 402 children were included in the analysis. By cluster analysis, three DPs were identified: protein-rich DP; traditional DP; and traditional DP complemented by breastfeeding. The aOR of a child becoming stunted from a normal height during the study period among children who received a traditional DP compared with those who had a protein-rich DP was 2.78 (95% confidence interval [

Dietary patterns in Mexican preschool children are associated with stunting and overweight

“…Comparing dietary patterns among different populations is a difficult task due to their cultural, geographical, and social characteristics. Yet, our results are consistent with those reported by other studies 9,27 . In our study, children with eating habits mostly consistent with a "T" pattern (characterized by maize foods like tortillas and Mexican antojitos, as well as beans and eggs) were more likely to present stunting -an indicator of long-term malnutrition.…”

“…In our study, children with eating habits mostly consistent with a "T" pattern (characterized by maize foods like tortillas and Mexican antojitos, as well as beans and eggs) were more likely to present stunting -an indicator of long-term malnutrition. This finding is in line with those reported by a study conducted with preschool children from a rural area of Kenya, where the risk for stunting was higher among children who consumed the traditional pattern -mainly represented by maize foods, fruits, and low dietary diversity 27 .…”

“…The "F&V" dietary pattern identified in our study cannot be considered a healthy pattern, for it lacks foods with essential nutrients for the growth and development of toddlers and preschoolers. Similar to other studies, our results indicate a negative association between the "W" pattern (rich in protein and other essential nutrients) and stunting, demonstrating that adequate protein intake is required for normal growth 27 .…”

Prevalence and associated factors for stunting, underweight and wasting among children under 6 years of age in rural Hunan Province, China: a community-based cross-sectional study

“…A large number of observational studies have shown that poor socioeconomic condition, unreasonable addition of supplementary food, household food insecurity, diseases of children (e.g. recurrent respiratory infections and diarrhea), inadequate maternal nutritional status, and low education level of caregivers are all associated with the malnutrition of children [8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Improvement of Dietary Diversity and Attitude toward Recommended Feeding through Novel Community Based Nutritional Education Program in Coastal Kenya—An Intervention Study

“…Approximately one in four children (26.2%) is estimated to be stunted in Kenya [ 10 ]. Tanaka et al reported that the traditional diet pattern had low dietary diversity in their research in Kenya, and children fed by the traditional diets had a higher risk of stunting compared with those who were fed by non-traditional diet patterns [ 11 ]. Since dietary diversity for children depends on caregivers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice [ 12 ], it is essential to provide caregivers enough information about the appropriate feeding of children, including dietary diversities by health staff members during antenatal and postnatal care.…”