Researchers have highlighted a major concern over obesity levels in children under the age of five in the Western Cape.
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According to the recently released Western Cape Stunting Baseline Survey, children younger than five years in the Western Cape carry a double burden of malnutrition, with obesity levels in the province presenting a ‘very high public concern’.
Emeritus Professor Marjanne Senekal, a University of Cape Town (UCT) human nutrition expert, led the study alongside co-primary investigators Emeritus Professor Nelia Steyn and Stellenbosch University statistician Emeritus Professor Hannelie Nel.
The survey investigated malnutrition and the risk factors for children under five and is a crucial marker for the province given that the World Health Organisation and United Nations Children’s Fund aim to halve the global stunting prevalence in under-fives by 20230.
Chronic undernutrition and obesity, both forms of malnutrition, increase a child’s risk for impaired physical and cognitive development. It also increases the risk of non-communicable diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes and heart disease.
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The Western Cape Stunting Baseline Survey collated data between 4 June and 22 October 2022. Senekal and her team used a sample of 1 214 under-fives representing children living in formal, urban formal and rural towns across the province and the income spectrum.
Results indicated that stunting levels in the Western Cape dropped 5.4% since the previous reporting period. ‘This reflects a welcome declining trend over the past six years, even with the COVID-19 pandemic,’ says Senekal. ‘However, the evidence of stunting was most prevalent in the very vulnerable under-two-year-olds (19.7%), representing a high public health concern which needs ongoing attention in the form of targeted interventions. With the prevalence of overweight in the WCSBS sample in the ‘very high public health concern’ category of around 15%, it should not be ignored.’
Here is a summary of the key findings:
- Evidence of a double burden of malnutrition, namely stunting and overweight/obesity – a concern for the province;
- A stunting (chronic undernutrition) prevalence of 17.5% in the total WCSBS sample. Although this is viewed as good news, this represents a medium-level public health concern;
- An overweight/obesity prevalence of 15.1%. This represents a very high public health concern;
- Age-appropriate immunisation coverage for the Western Cape has improved substantially since the 2016 South African Demographic and Health Survey;
- Almost one in five of the sample had a birthweight below 2.5 kg (classified as a ‘low birthweight infant’);
- Exclusive breastfeeding in infants younger than six months was only 18% (the target is 100%);
- Dietary diversity is poor, especially in older children; as is diet quality;
- Crisps and sweets were among the five most consumed foods across the age groups (data taken for the most recent 24 hours); and
- Food security is an enduring concern.
The survey was commissioned by the Western Cape Department of Health and co-funded by the DG Murray Trust.
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