Zinc, iron and calcium are major limiting nutrients in the complementary diets of rural Kenyan children
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Date
2016
Authors
Ferguson, E.
Chege, P.
Kimiywe, J.
Wiesmann, D.
Hotz, C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
JohnWiley & Sons Ltd
Abstract
Poor quality infant and young child (IYC) diets contribute to chronic under-nutrition. To design effective IYC
nutrition interventions, an understanding of the extent to which realistic food-based strategies can improve dietary
adequacy is required. We collected 24-h dietary recalls from children 6–23months of age (n=401) in two rural
agro-ecological zones of Kenya to assess the nutrient adequacy of their diets. Linear programming analysis
(LPA) was used to identify realistic food-based recommendations (FBRs) and to determine the extent to which they
could ensure intake adequacy for 12 nutrients. Mean nutrient densities of the IYC diets were belowthe desired level
for four to nine of the 10 nutrients analysed, depending on the age group.Mean dietary diversity scores ranged from
2.1 ± 1.0 among children 6–8months old in KituiCounty to 3.7± 1.1 food groups among children 12–23months old in
Vihiga County. LPA confirmed that dietary adequacy for iron, zinc and calcium will be difficult to ensure using only
local foods as consumed. FBRs for breastfed children that promote the daily consumption of cows’/goats’ milk
(added to porridges), fortified cereals, green leafy vegetables, legumes, and meat, fish or eggs, 3–5 times per week
can ensure dietary adequacy for nine and seven of 12 nutrients for children 6–11 and 12–23months old, respectively.
For these rural Kenyan children, even though dietary adequacy could be improved via realistic changes in habitual
food consumption practices, alternative interventions are needed to ensure dietary adequacy at the population level.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Dietary recommendations, Infants, Kenya, Linear programming, Nutrition, Young children
Citation
Maternal & Child Nutrition (2015), 11 (Suppl. 3), pp. 6–20