Do children’s feeding practices affect growth outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa? A multi-country study

Feeding practices significantly predict growth outcomes, urging policies for age-appropriate diets, dietary diversity, and breastfeeding support. The findings underscore the urgent need to address child malnutrition, particularly stunting, wasting, and underweight, to improve child health and well-being. These findings should inform policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders in developing effective strategies to improve child nutrition and overall well-being in the region. Context-specific policies and interventions, prioritizing maternal nutrition, access to quality prenatal care, and appropriate infant feeding practices, are crucial in mitigating the impact of malnutrition on children in the region. Further research and collaboration are needed to develop targeted strategies and sustainable solutions to tackle child malnutrition effectively in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Health Population and Nutrition
Published
2026-02-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-026-01250-9
Primary Topic
Child Nutrition and Water Access
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Do children’s feeding practices affect growth outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa? A multi-country study

Linus Baatiema, Bedilu Alamirie Ejigu, Khadijat Adeleye, Sanni Yaya et al.
Journal of Health Population and Nutrition
Child Nutrition and Water Access
article

Do children’s feeding practices affect growth outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa? A multi-country study

Linus Baatiema, Bedilu Alamirie Ejigu, Khadijat Adeleye, Sanni Yaya, Edward Kwabena Ameyaw
article en

Abstract

Feeding practices significantly predict growth outcomes, urging policies for age-appropriate diets, dietary diversity, and breastfeeding support. The findings underscore the urgent need to address child malnutrition, particularly stunting, wasting, and underweight, to improve child health and well-being. These findings should inform policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders in developing effective strategies to improve child nutrition and overall well-being in the region. Context-specific policies and interventions, prioritizing maternal nutrition, access to quality prenatal care, and appropriate infant feeding practices, are crucial in mitigating the impact of malnutrition on children in the region. Further research and collaboration are needed to develop targeted strategies and sustainable solutions to tackle child malnutrition effectively in sub-Saharan Africa.

Journal of Health Population and Nutrition
University of Ottawa (CA), Amherst College (US), The George Institute for Global Health (GB), University of Massachusetts Amherst (US), Université de Parakou (BJ), Ghana Health Service (GH), Addis Ababa University (ET), Imperial College London (GB)
No poverty, Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 47%
Child Nutrition and Water Access
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