Abstract
BackgroundA limited number of studies suggest that boys may have a higher risk of stunting than girls in low-income countries. Little is known about the causes of these gender differences. The objective of the study was to assess gender differences in nutritional status and its determinants among infants in Ethiopia.MethodsWe analyzed data for 2036 children (6–11 months old) collected as the baseline for a multiple micronutrient powders effectiveness study in two regions of Ethiopia in March–April 2015. Child, mother, and household characteristics were investigated as determinants of stunting and wasting. Multiple logistic regression models were used separately for boys and girls to check for gender differences while adjusting for confounders. The study is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ with the clinical trials identifier of NCT02479815.ResultsStunting and wasting prevalence is significantly higher among boys compared to girls, 18.7 vs 10.7% and 7.9 vs 5.4%, respectively. Untimely initiation of breastfeeding, not-exclusive breastfeeding at the age of 6 months, region of residence, and low maternal education are significant predictors of stunting in boys. Untimely introduction to complementary food and low consumption of legumes/nuts are significant predictors of stunting in both boys and girls, and low egg consumption only in girls. Region of residence and age of the mother are significant determinants of wasting in both sexes. Analysis of interaction terms for stunting, however, shows no differences in predictors between boys and girls; only for untimely initiation of breastfeeding do the results for boys (OR 1.46; 95%CI 1.02,2.08) and girls (OR 0.88; 95%CI 0.55,1.41) tend to be different (p = 0.12).ConclusionIn Ethiopia, boys are more malnourished than girls. Exclusive breastfeeding and adequate dietary diversity of complementary feeding are important determinants of stunting in boys and girls. There are no clear gender interactions for the main determinants of stunting and wasting. These findings suggest that appropriate gender-sensitive guidance on optimum infant and young child feeding practices is needed.
Highlights
A limited number of studies suggest that boys may have a higher risk of stunting than girls in lowincome countries
There are no clear gender interactions for the main determinants of stunting and wasting. These findings suggest that appropriate gendersensitive guidance on optimum infant and young child feeding practices is needed
In conclusion, the results of this study show that gender differences in nutritional status exist in Ethiopia: girls have a better nutritional status compared to boys during the first year of life
Summary
A limited number of studies suggest that boys may have a higher risk of stunting than girls in lowincome countries. The objective of the study was to assess gender differences in nutritional status and its determinants among infants in Ethiopia. Samuel et al BMC Public Health (2022) 22:401 in the last 16 years, Ethiopia still displays high rates of childhood malnutrition, with 38% of Ethiopian children under 5 years of age being stunted and 10% being wasted[2]. Epidemiological studies demonstrate that stunting is frequently associated with repeated exposure to poor sanitation and hygiene; and individual factors such as a child’s gender, poor economic conditions [3, 4], child morbidity [4, 5], and inadequate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices [6] have been identified as immediate causes of child stunting. A too-early introduction of solid foods before 6 months of age has a significant association with long-term deterioration of physical growth [7, 8]
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