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Dairy consumption is associated with a lower risk of stunting in Ethiopian children 6‐24 months of age (620.10)
Author(s) -
Ghosh Shibani,
Suri Devika,
Griffiths Jeffrey
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.620.10
Subject(s) - environmental health , medicine , consumption (sociology) , stunted growth , odds ratio , demography , geography , malnutrition , social science , pathology , sociology
Background: Stunting can negatively impacting physical and mental development. Dairy consumption has been associated with lower risk of being stunted in many populations. Objective: Examine the association between dairy consumption and prevalence of stunting in Ethiopian children 6‐24 months of age. Methods: Analysis of 2011 Demographic Health Survey data was conducted to examine feeding practices of infants and young children along with types of foods consumed, number of meals consumed, food groups and their relationship to being stunted or not across the different regions of Ethiopia. Correlations and odds ratios were calculated. Results: Rates of stunting are variable by region in Ethiopia with Addis Ababa showing the lowest rates (13%) and Tigray the highest (52%). This was followed by Amhara, Affar and Bishangul‐Gumuz regions. Dairy was the most common animal source food but was consumed in low amounts in Tigray, Amhara and Bishangul‐Gumuz (10‐20% of children). Most regions less than 2.5 meals and less than 2 groups were consumed by infants aged 6‐24 months. Regions with higher dairy consumptions are more likely to have lower rates of stunting. Consumption of diary was associated with a lower risk of being stunted (χ2=20.2 and p<0.001, adjusted R2 =0.26). Stunted children were likely to report consuming more meat but the association was not significant. Conclusions: Dairy consumption in Ethiopian children 6‐24 months of age is associated with stunting. Different regions in Ethiopia vary by rates of stunting and consumption of dairy is lowest in regions of Amhara Tigray and Bishangul‐Gumuz but not Affar, all regions where rates of stunting are high.