Impact of stunting on early childhood cognitive development in Benin: evidence from Demographic and Health Survey
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Abstract Background Proper nutrition is crucial for enhancing brain function and improving learning. Over time, large evidence has existed to show that childhood undernutrition, marked by stunting, is connected with age-long reduction in cognitive and academic achievement. It is of interest to achieve healthy growth and optimal cognitive development in early childhood. The objective of this study was to examine stunting considered to adversely influence cognitive development among children and therefore of public health importance. Results About two thirds (64.3%) of under-five children attained optimal cognition. Stunted children had 7% reduction in optimal cognitive development, compared with not stunted children (RR = 0.93; 95%CI 0.83, 0.98). Among the covariates, geographical region was significantly associated with optimal cognitive development. In addition, children of Islamic, traditional/other religion, and no religion had significant reduction in optimal cognitive development, compared with children of Christianity belief. Children from mothers who had secondary and tertiary education, listened to radio, and watched television had an increase in optimal cognitive development, compared with children from uneducated mothers. Furthermore, children from mothers who are employed had an 8% increase in optimal cognitive development (RR = 1.08; 95%CI: 1.02, 1.14). Conclusion Due to the adverse impact of stunting on optimal cognitive development, we suggest that government and stakeholders in child welfare should ensure that development programmes combine health and nutrition services with early learning and rely on families as partners to have children’s cognitive development effectively. Early childhood cognitive development programmes should be implemented through families and caregivers, with special focus on disadvantaged children as a poverty reduction strategy, and ensure that all children are adequately nourished.
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Hunger and poor nutrition contribute to stunting and several studies have shown a link between stunting and poor child development in low- and middle-income countries.
“Hunger and poor nutrition contribute to stunting and several studies [35,36] have shown a link between stunting and poor child development in low- and middle-income countries.”
Work in Benin has shown that stunting compromises cognitive development in children.
“For example, work in Benin has shown that stunting compromises cognitive development in children [35]”
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References 51 · Cited by 108
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- Wieringa F, editor. PLoS ONE 12(5):e0177338
- World Health Organization (WHO) (2008) Indicators for assessing infant and young child feeding practices: conclusions of a consensus meeting held 6-8 November 2007 in Washington D.C., USA. World Health Organization (WHO), Washington, D.C 17. Rosa W. Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In: A new era in global health [Internet]. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company; 2017 [cited 2019 Feb 14]. Available from: http://connect.springerpub.com/lookup/doi/10.1891/9780826190123.ap02 · DOI
- World Health Organization, UNICEF. Baby-friendly hospital initiative: revised, updated and expanded for integrated care. 2009 [cited 2019 Feb 15]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK153471/
- Authors
- Ekholuenetale, M., Barrow, A., Ekholuenetale, C. E., & Tudeme, G.
- Affiliations
- University of Ibadan (NG)
- University of the Gambia (GM)
- National Open University of Nigeria (NG)
- University of Benin (NG)
- Corresponding author
- Ekholuenetale, Michael
- Venue
- Egyptian Pediatric Association Gazette
- Published
- 2020-10-05
- Volume
- 68
- Issue
- 1
- ISSN
- 1110-6638 (ISSN-L)
- 2090-9942
- OpenAlex
- W3090190089
- Cited by
- 108
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 4
- FWCI
- 9.64
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Egyptian Pediatric Association Gazette (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Public Health and Nutrition
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Global Maternal and Child Health
- Keywords
- stunting, early childhood cognitive development, children under five, child undernutrition, maternal education, maternal employment, religious affiliation, regional disparities, Benin
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