The effect of supplementation with locally available foods on stunting. A review of theory and evidence
Mutinta Hambayi Nseluke, Wim Groot & Nyasha Tirivayi
#2015-002
There is vigorous debate and mixed evidence concerning what diets or how
many food groups can be used to prevent stunting in resource poor
settings. Inherently, recommendations focus on food supply, availability
and access other than household functions, behaviours and child care
practices.
We review the evidence on the effects of supplementation using locally
available diverse and non-diverse foods on stunting among children below
the age of five years.
We review evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa, where 22 of the 34 countries
that contribute to ninety percent of the global burden of stunting are.
We searched the empirical literature that captured anthropometry
outcomes for children of age 0-5 years. Studies assessing the effects of
fortified foods, or food used for treatment rather than prevention were
excluded.
Four studies are reviewed. Only one study provided food supplements
comprising seven locally available food items, while the others provided
fewer food items. The studies show that supplementing with diverse local
foods has neither superior nor inferior linear growth benefits than
supplementing with non-diverse local foods. We however find positive and
consistent significant effects especially of milk and maternal factors
on preventing wasting and underweight.
Our review demonstrates that supplementing with locally available foods
is feasible in resource poor settings. Our findings partially
substantiate the challenges of prescribing the quality or a threshold of
food groups for the prevention of stunting. Due to limited evidence,
further research on local diverse and non-diverse supplementation is
required.
Key words: Locally available foods, supplementation, linear growth,
stunting, controlled trials, nutrition reviews
JEL Classification: I10, I12