New Research Reveals Alarming Dietary Habits in Infants and Young Children in Malawi
This study has shed light on a significant issue, highlighting potential long-term consequences for urban-resident infants and young Malawian children due to these dietary practises.
Lilongwe, Malawi -A recent research study conducted by fourth-year students from LUANAR's Food and Human Science department has uncovered concerning trends in the dietary habits of infants and young children, writes Patricia Ngwale.
The study reveals that a staggering 82.6% of children in the study area are consuming unhealthy foods, and an astonishing 99.9% are consuming sweetened beverages.
These findings raise significant concerns about the health and well-being of these children.
Previous research has already indicated a shift in dietary patterns, with a notable increase in the consumption of salt, added sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats among children.
Moreover, high consumption of unhealthy foods and sweetened beverages has been linked to poor linear growth in children under 12 months of age.
Such dietary choices not only displace the intake of nutritious foods, including breast milk but also increase the risk of inadequate nutrient intake.
The study, led by researchers Victoria Gondwe, Emily Mhango, and Fungai Chimkango, under the guidance of their supervisor, Dr. Alexander Kalimbira, focused on the consumption habits of sweetened beverages and unhealthy foods among children aged 6–23 months, a pressing concern within the community.
The research employed a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study, involving caregivers of children aged 6 to 23 months at Kawale Health Centre in Lilongwe.
Data were collected from 132 children, selected through convenience non-probability sampling from a pool of an estimated 1158 children who attend growth monitoring at the facility.
The study revealed that the consumption of unhealthy foods and sweetened beverages is influenced by various factors, including affordability, child preference, use as a complementary food to breastfeeding, the perception that they are nutritious, and their easy availability, complemented by a longer shelf life.
This study has shed light on a significant issue, highlighting potential long-term consequences for urban-resident infants and young Malawian children due to these dietary practises.
In addition to revealing that 82% of infants and young children consume unhealthy foods, and 99.9% consume sweetened beverages, the study uncovered that one-third of children consume sweetened beverages once a day, while the rest consume them multiple times a day.
Similarly, nearly one-fifth of children were found to be consuming unhealthy foods once a day, with 82.6% consuming them multiple times a day.
The study also highlighted that many caregivers preferred to provide their children with milk-based sweetened beverages over other types, and Puffs emerged as the most preferred unhealthy food choice.
In light of these findings, the study recommends targeted consumer education for caregivers, emphasising the consequences of unhealthy food and sweetened beverage intake among infants and young children.
Furthermore, it advocates for the promotion of local and affordable healthy foods such as soya or mgaiwa porridge, chigumu cha nthochi, and fruits at the household level during community outreach programs.
Additionally, caregivers should be equipped with food preparation knowledge and skills to make informed dietary choices for their young ones.