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. 2022 Oct 12;8(1):111.
doi: 10.1186/s40795-022-00607-7.

Dietary patterns and childhood stunting in Zimbabwe

Anesu Marume  1   2 , Moherndran Archary  1   3 , Saajida Mahomed  1
Affiliations

Dietary patterns and childhood stunting in Zimbabwe

Anesu Marume et al. BMC Nutr. .

Abstract

Background: Diet is one important predictor of children's growth, and often dietary interventions can assist with reversing adverse nutrition outcomes. Traditionally research has focused on individual food items or food classes to generate an understanding of disease risk. Dietary patterns provide a holistic approach to understanding the relationship between exposure and outcome.

Method: A matched case-control study was conducted. Caregivers of 450 children (225 cases, 225 controls) aged 6-59 months were asked to describe the diet their children had consumed in the previous 7 days using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Dietary patterns were developed using factor analysis and regression analysis was conducted to assess which dietary pattern was associated with childhood stunting.

Results: Three dietary patterns were identified: modern (n = 181), low animal-source (n = 158), and traditional (n = 111). Children with the low animal source dietary pattern had increased odds of being stunted (AOR 1.03, p < 0.05). Three demographic factors (Child's age, father's age and having a sibling < 24 months apart) were identified as significant predictors of consumption of any of the traditional and low animal source diet (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Nutrition intervention such as health education, counselling and supplementary feeding should include a holistic approach to dietary education not only focusing on promoting a balanced diet but improvement strengthening the upgrading of child's dietary pattern taking into cognisant both quantity, and quality of nutrients provided to the child.

Keywords: Child; Dietary patterns; Maternal; Zimbabwe.

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Conflict of interest statement

None of the researchers had any conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Child dietary patterns among Zimbabwean children, 2021
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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