Research by the University of Bonn and CABI’s Regional Centre for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, revealed that animal products, including milk, eggs, and fish significantly enhance childhood nutrition in Africa.
Drawing from representative data covering over 32,000 child observations in five African countries, the research demonstrates that diets incorporating animal products effectively reduce malnutrition and associated developmental deficiencies.
The study’s findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and remain embargoed until December 2, 2024, at 9 p.m. CET.
Globally, approximately 150 million children under five experience stunted growth, a condition linked to insufficient nutrient intake. Stunting not only affects physical stature but also impairs cognitive development and increases child mortality rates. Previous studies have shown that animal-sourced foods like milk, meat, eggs, and fish can mitigate these developmental deficits, but concrete evidence specific to Africa has been lacking until now.
Led by Dr. Makaiko Khonje of CABI and Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim from the University of Bonn, the study analyzed survey data from Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. The researchers observed that children consuming animal products—even sporadically—were at a 7% lower risk of stunting. Among the foods studied, eggs had the most substantial impact, followed by milk and fish.
While the positive effects of meat consumption varied across the countries studied, the analysis accounted for other influencing factors, such as household income and parental education. The study also highlighted that while fruits, vegetables, and pulses support child development, their impact is less pronounced than that of animal-sourced foods.
Dr. Khonje emphasized the need to improve access to animal-based foods, particularly for low-income families in rural areas where nutritious plant-based foods are not consistently available year-round. “Our results indicate that access to animal-sourced foods should be improved to combat malnutrition effectively,” he stated.
The study acknowledges the environmental challenges posed by livestock farming, which generates significantly higher greenhouse gas emissions than plant-based agriculture. However, Prof. Qaim argues for a nuanced approach to sustainability, given the stark disparity in meat and milk consumption between high-income and low-income regions.
“In Europe and North America, people consume four times more animal products on average than in Africa. While limiting animal product consumption is sensible in wealthier nations, doing so in Africa could worsen malnutrition,” said Qaim. He noted that the study’s findings do not apply to high-income countries like Germany, where consumption already exceeds dietary recommendations.
The study is part of a PNAS Special Feature on the sustainability of animal-sourced foods and plant-based alternatives. It was conducted with CABI and the University of Bonn support, with Prof. Qaim playing a pivotal role in the publication.
The research byMakaiko G. Khonje and Matin Qaim titled “Animal-sourced foods improve child nutrition in Africa,” can be found at https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2319009121. The research offers vital insights into addressing childhood malnutrition while balancing sustainability goals, emphasizing tailored solutions for diverse global contexts.
