Household market participation and stunting in preschool children in Lilongwe, Malawi

  • Ashleigh L Howard George Mason University
  • Maction K Komwa George Mason University
  • Richard Yohane Kanengo AIDS Support Organization
  • Kathryn H Jacobsen George Mason University
Keywords: stunting, preschool children, Malawi, risk factors, agriculture

Abstract

Background: Stunting among Malawian preschool children continues to be a concern. Method: A cross-sectional survey of 251 semi-urban households, who participated in a community-supported preschool programme, was conducted. Results: Of the 433 participating two- to five-year-old children, 34.4% had stunting. Children from families who grow tobacco were less likely than other children to have stunting (27.0% vs. 37.3%, p-value = 0.04). In contrast, children from families who grow a local type of cowpea (khobwe) had a higher rate of stunting than other children (46.8% vs. 32.9%, p-value = 0.01). Conclusion: The study suggests that the increased income associated with household participation in the growing of globally marketable cash crops, as compared to the growing of local crops, may lead to increased nutritional benefits for children.

Author Biographies

Ashleigh L Howard, George Mason University
Graduate Student Department of Global and Community Health George Mason University
Maction K Komwa, George Mason University
PhD Candidate Department of Environmental Science and Policy George Mason University
Richard Yohane, Kanengo AIDS Support Organization
Executive Director KASO
Kathryn H Jacobsen, George Mason University
Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Global and Community Health George Mason University
Published
2011-09-26
How to Cite
Howard, A., Komwa, M., Yohane, R., & Jacobsen, K. (2011). Household market participation and stunting in preschool children in Lilongwe, Malawi. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 24(4), 202-204. Retrieved from http://sajcn.redbricklibrary.com/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/526
Section
Short Reports or Scientific Letters