An Assessment of the Food and Nutrition Security Status of Weaned 7–12 Months Old Children in Rural and Peri-Urban Communities of Gauteng and Limpopo Provinces, South Africa

Abstract

This study assessed the food and nutrition security status of children receiving complementary food in rural and peri-urban communities. A group of 106 mothers from Lebowakgomo village and Hammanskraal Township, respectively, participated in the survey. Additionally, six focus group discussions were conducted per study area to assess the mothers’ perceptions about children’s food access. The Children’s Food Insecurity Access Scale (CFIAS) was used to assess the food security status (access) of the children. The Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS) together with the unquantified food consumption frequency survey were used as a proxy measure of the nutritional quality of the children’s diets. The age and weight of the children obtained from the children’s clinic health cards were used to calculate Weight-for-Age Z scores (WAZ) in order to determine the prevalence of underweight children. The findings showed that a large percentage of children were severely food-insecure, 87% and 78%, in rural and peri-urban areas, respectively. Additionally, Lebowakgomo children (23.6%) and Hammanskraal children (17.9%) were severely underweight. Overall, children’s diets in both study areas was characterized by nutrient-deficient complementary foods. Cheaper foods with a longer stomach-filling effect such as white maize meal and sugar were the most commonly purchased and used. Hence, the children consumed very limited amounts of foods rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins, which significantly increased the risk of their being malnourished.

Contribution of commercial infant products and fortified staple foods to nutrient intake at ages 6, 12, and 18 months in a cohort of children from a low socio‐economic community in South Africa

“…This is slightly lower than the >80% that was reported for 6‐month‐old infants in a study in the Western Cape province (Budree et al, ). Fewer children (27%) consumed infant cereal at age 12 months, which is within the range of 20–50% that was reported for infants between 6 and 12 months of age in studies in KwaZulu‐Natal, Limpopo, and Gauteng provinces (Faber et al, ; Ntila et al, ).…”

“…Porridge made with maize meal and, to a lesser extent, bread are frequently consumed by infants and young children in South Africa (Faber, Laubscher, & Berti, ; Ntila, Siwela, Kolanisi, Abdelgadir, & Ndhlala, ), although it may differ across study populations (Faber et al, ). Mandatory fortification of both maize meal and wheat flour (used to make bread) was implemented in 2003 as part of the National Food Fortification Programme, with the aim to improve micronutrient intake of the South African population (Department of Health, South Africa, ).…”

Food insecurity, diet quality and body composition: data from the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) pilot survey in urban Soweto, South Africa

“…To date, there has been little research in urban South Africa on the links between food security and diet quality (33) . However, there is evidence that in poorer settings, both adults and children consume monotonous diets mainly comprised processed cereals and lacking in fruit, vegetables and other nutritious foods (27,(34)(35)(36) . The paradox is that these diets are often high in energy, refined carbohydrates and sugar and therefore may be linked with obesity, pregnancy disorders such as gestational diabetes and long-term cardiometabolic risk among women and their children (37) .…”

Knowledge, attitudes and food practices in caregivers and nutritional status in infants from Ventaquemada, Boyacá, Colombia

“…In the reviewed literature, it is not possible to clarify the benefits of the level of schooling of caregivers, in relation to correct complementary feeding techniques, since in some studies it is stated that levels of secondary education associated with a nutritional educational supplied to caregivers, don't influences adequate complementary nutrition [25]. On the other hand, intervention studies with education to mothers show positive impact [25]; Even so, it is important to develop strategies that improve the knowledge on the quality and quantity of diets by caregivers, as the studies suggest [25,26].…”