Abstract
BackgroundOne in five Ghanaian children is chronically malnourished. Childhood undernutrition remains a public health concern in Ghana; therefore, research is needed to identify modifiable risk factors to inform health programming. This study evaluated household dietary diversity (HDD) as a determinant of nutritional status of pre-school children in Wenchi Municipality, Ghana.MethodsAn analytical cross-sectional study involving 590 mother-child pairs was conducted in Wenchi Municipality. A two-stage cluster sampling procedure was used; clusters were first selected followed by the selection of children using simple random sampling. Socio-demographic, dietary, and anthropometric data were collected in face-to-face interviews. HDD scores were calculated using data from 24-h dietary recalls based on 12 standard food groups consumed by the households in the past 24 h preceding the survey and categorised into low (1–5 food groups) and high (6–12 food groups) HDD categories using the mean HDD score. Anthropometric indices (stunting, wasting, and underweight) were defined as anthropometric z-scores < − 2 standard deviations using the WHO growth standards. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to study the association between HDD categories and stunting or wasting while controlling for potential confounders.ResultsThe mean age of the respondents was 27.3 [95% confidence interval = 26.8–27.8] years, and majority of them (58.3%) were within the age group 20–29 years. The prevalence rates of stunting, wasting, and underweight in the children were 38.6%, 11.0%, and 13.1%, respectively, while 36.4% of the households had low dietary diversity. There was no association between HDD categories and stunting (adjusted OR = 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79–1.76, p = 0.409) or wasting (adjusted OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.54–1.73, p = 0.910).ConclusionsThere was a high prevalence of stunting in children and many households consumed less diverse diet in Wenchi Municipality. There is a lack of evidence of an association between HDD and stunting or wasting in the population studied. Interventions to improve child growth and HDD are needed to promote and protect child health.
Highlights
One in five Ghanaian children is chronically malnourished
We report the findings of a study conducted to evaluate household dietary diversity (HDD) score as a determinant of nutritional status of children (6–36 months) in Wenchi Municipality in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana
Socio-demographic and economic characteristics of mothers The mean age of the respondents was 27.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 26.8–27.8] years, and 58.3% of them were within the age group of 20–29 years (Table 1)
Summary
One in five Ghanaian children is chronically malnourished. Childhood undernutrition remains a public health concern in Ghana; research is needed to identify modifiable risk factors to inform health programming. Undernutrition in children results in life-long consequences, including increased risk of disease, poor cognitive development, lower school performance and increased risk of death in childhood; reduced productivity; and increased risk of chronic disease in adulthood [4,5,6]. The main causes of child undernutrition are poor quality diets which are low in calories and essential nutrients and repeated infections [7]. These are underpinned by poor child feeding practices, unsanitary environment, restricted access to health services, and household food insecurity. Some studies have shown positive associations between household food insecurity and poor child nutritional status [9,10,11] while others have not [12,13,14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
