Abstract
This study assessed the promotion of commercially produced foods and consumption of these products by children less than 24 months of age in Dakar Department, Senegal. Interviews with 293 mothers of children attending child health clinics assessed maternal exposure to promotion and maternal recall of foods consumed by the child on the preceding day. Promotion of breastmilk substitutes and commercially produced complementary foods outside health facilities was common with 41.0% and 37.2% of mothers, respectively, reporting product promotions since the birth of their youngest child. Promotion of commercially produced snack food products was more prevalent, observed by 93.5% of mothers. While all mothers reported having breastfed their child, only 20.8% of mothers breastfed their newborn within the first hour after delivery, and 44.7% fed pre‐lacteal feeds in the first 3 days after delivery. Of children 6–23 months of age, 20.2% had consumed a breastmilk substitute; 49.1% ate a commercially produced complementary food, and 58.7% ate a commercially produced snack food product on the previous day. There is a need to stop the promotion of breastmilk substitutes, including infant formula, follow‐up formula, and growing‐up milks. More stringent regulations and enforcement could help to eliminate such promotion to the public through the media and in stores. Promotion of commercial snack foods is concerning, given the high rates of consumption of such foods by children under the age of 2 years. Efforts are needed to determine how best to reduce such promotion and encourage replacement of these products with more nutritious foods.
Highlights
Despite an increasing focus on children’s health and nutrition in the last decade in Senegal, there is room for improvement (Wuehler & Ly Wane 2011); 19% of Senegalese children less than 5 years of age are stunted, and 60% are anaemic (ANSD 2015)
6.8% of mothers reported that health workers recommended commercially produced complementary foods (CPCF), with recommendations greater for older children: 1.3% and 1.4% of those 0–5 months and 6–11 months compared with 8.1% and 16.7% of those with children 12–17 months and 18–23 months (P = 0.001)
Commercial promotion of breastmilk substitutes (BMS) and commercial snack foods are likely to be one of the contributing factors for poor feeding practices observed in Dakar Department, Senegal
Summary
Despite an increasing focus on children’s health and nutrition in the last decade in Senegal, there is room for improvement (Wuehler & Ly Wane 2011); 19% of Senegalese children less than 5 years of age are stunted, and 60% are anaemic (ANSD 2015). Breastfeeding is widely practiced, with 99% of children ever breastfed. Rates of exclusive breastfeeding (which is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality) are low; just 33% of Senegalese children less than 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed. National data indicate sub-optimal complementary feeding practices, which can adversely impact child growth and development. 8% of children between 6 and 23 months of age met the minimum standard with respect to three infant and young child feeding indicators (adequate feeding frequency, minimum dietary diversity and consumption of breastmilk/other milks)(ANSD 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
