A new study led by the University of Cape Town (UCT) reveals that a concerning dual nutrition crisis looms over young children in the Western Cape, highlighting alarming rates of both stunting and overweight/obesity among the province’s youngest residents.
Published in the respected journal Development Southern Africa, the research indicates that the region faces significant public health challenges that require urgent attention.
The study, spearheaded by Emeritus Professor Marjanne Senekal from UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences, was conducted in collaboration with the DG Murray Trust, Stellenbosch University, and the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.
Its primary aim was to develop robust provincial-level data to guide effective nutrition policy implementation for children under five years old.
Using meticulous sampling methods, researchers surveyed a representative sample of 1,214 children in this age group, measuring their heights and weights whilst also engaging caregivers in structured interviews to collect socio-demographic details.
Key findings
- Stunting: 17.5% of children under five are affected, categorised as a medium public health concern.
- Overweight/Obesity: 15.1% of children experience this issue, considered a very high public health concern.
- Concurrent Stunting and Overweight: 2.4% prevalence, indicating some children are both stunted and overweight.
- Wasting: Prevalence stands at 3.4%, recognised as a low public health concern.
Additionally, the study identifies socio-demographic factors impacting malnutrition risk. Children aged one to under two years are particularly vulnerable to stunting, with factors such as a father’s employment status, a mother’s work history, recent food insecurity, and rural living conditions compounding the risk.
Conversely, protective factors include higher parental education levels and adequate household income.
Alarming trends continue with overweight and obesity. Risks here again include younger ages and low birth weights, while better household amenities often serve as protective indicators.
Professor Senekal emphasises that chronic malnutrition, reflected in the form of stunting and overweight/obesity, is more pressing in the Western Cape than acute malnutrition.
Despite stunting levels being lower than national averages, the viability of achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF targets to cut stunting by 50% by 2030 remains questionable.
Moreover, the target of reducing overweight/obesity prevalence to below 3% by the same year is also viewed with scepticism. ‘Nutrition interventions should not solely focus on stunting reduction, as is often the case, but also concurrently address the rising rates of overweight and obesity in children,’ Senekal states.
This dual-focus is essential in effectively combatting malnutrition in all its forms.
To meet these critical target goals, Senekal recommends immediate actions to evaluate and adapt current nutrition policies in the Western Cape.
Source: University of Cape Town
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