Publication: Tripartite of Malnutrition: Co-existence of Underweight, Overweight and Micronutrient Deciency Among Children in Kisumu County, Kenya
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2021-02-19
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Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), The Carnegie Corporation of New York, The DELTAS Africa Initiative, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), African Academy of Sciences (AAS)’s Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA)r
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Abstract
Background: Challenges facing Kenyan government include childhood underweight, overweight
and micronutrient deficiencies. These forms of malnutrition have existed in several regions of the
world with their consequences spreading to old age. A total of 11% of Kenyan children are
underweight while 4% are overweight. Micronutrient deficiency affects 2 billion people
worldwide with iron and Vitamin A Deficiency affecting 60% and 70% of children in Sub Saharan
Africa respectively. Only 72% of Kenyan children consume diets rich in Vitamin A. This study
assessed the status of underweight, overweight and micronutrient deficiency among children in
Kisumu County, Kenya.
Methods: Cross sectional study was used that recruited 384 children aged less than 2 years.
Anthropometric measurements assessed nutritional status while food frequency questionnaire
assessed nutrient intake of children. STATA V.14 analyzed data. Bivariate analysis linked
outcome and independent variables while multinomial logistic regression assessed factors
influencing malnutritional status of children.
Results: A total of 23% of children were underweight while 30% were overweight. Only 10%
consumed carbohydrate adequate diets while 31% consumed foods rich in iron. Mothers earning
more than Ksh 3,000 had 60% higher risks of their children being underweight compared to those
earning less than Ksh 2,999 per month while children living in permanent houses had 50% lower
risks of being underweight compared to those living in temporary houses. Children aged between
19 and 24 months had 80% higher risks of being overweight compared to those aged below 6
months while those living in permanent houses had 40% lower risks of being overweight compared
to those living in temporary houses. Those with inadequate carbohydrate and iron intake had 20%
and 80% lower risks respectively of being overweight compared to those with adequate intake.
Conclusion: In Kisumu county, 23% of children were underweight while 30% were overweight.
Only 31% consumed diets rich in iron sources. Mothers’ income, type of housing and
micronutrient intake were associated with nutritional status of children. Interventions and policies
to target this early age as is window period of opportunity.
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Keywords
Tripartite, malnutrition, underweight, overweight, micronutrient, deficiency