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Stunting, Wasting and Underweight in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Blessing J. Akombi

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia)

  • Kingsley E. Agho

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia)

  • John J. Hall

    (School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Nidhi Wali

    (School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Andre M. N. Renzaho

    (School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Dafna Merom

    (School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia)

Abstract

Introduction : Child undernutrition is a major public health problem. One third of all undernourished children globally reside in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The aim of this study was to systematically review studies to determine the factors associated with stunting, wasting and underweight in SSA and contribute to the existing body of evidence needed for the formulation of effective interventions. Methods : This systematic review was conducted using the 2015 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Five computerized bibliographic databases were searched: Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Embase. The included studies were rated using eight quality-appraisal criteria derived from the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist: sample size, sampling methodology, response rate, outcome measures, statistical analyses, control for confounding, study limitation, and ethical consideration. Results : Of a total of 2810 articles retrieved from the five databases, 49 studies met our inclusion criteria. The most consistent factors associated with childhood stunting, wasting and underweight in SSA were: low mother’s education, increasing child’s age, sex of child (male), wealth index/SES (poor household), prolonged duration of breastfeeding (>12 months), low birth weight, mother’s age (<20 years), source of drinking water (unimproved), low mother’s BMI (<18.5), birth size (small), diarrhoeal episode, low father’s education and place of residence (rural). Conclusions : The factors that predispose a child to undernutrition are multisectoral. To yield a sustainable improvement in child nutrition in SSA, a holistic multi-strategy community-based approach is needed that targets the factors associated with undernutrition, thereby setting the region on the path to achieving the WHO global nutrition target by 2025.

Suggested Citation

  • Blessing J. Akombi & Kingsley E. Agho & John J. Hall & Nidhi Wali & Andre M. N. Renzaho & Dafna Merom, 2017. "Stunting, Wasting and Underweight in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:8:p:863-:d:106645
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Odame, Michael Larbi & Adjei-Mantey, Kwame, 2024. "Household air pollution could make children grow shorter in sub-Saharan Africa; but can households help stem the tide on their own?," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 33(C).
    3. Younoh Kim & James Manley & Vlad Radoias, 2023. "Indoor air pollution and child development in Indonesia: Stunted by the smoke?," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(6), November.
    4. Carina Isbell & Daniel Tobin & Brian C. Thiede & Kristal Jones & Travis Reynolds, 2024. "The association between crop diversity and children’s dietary diversity: multi-scalar and cross-national comparisons," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 16(4), pages 883-897, August.
    5. Kauky, Monica Sebastian, 2023. "Mothers Education and Children’s Nutrition Outcomes in Tanzania," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 11(4), September.

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