Peer-reviewed article
Effects of Climate-Related Disasters on Child Nutrition and Feeding Practices in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review
Nomagugu Ndlovu, Makhosi Mahlangu, Nomagugu Minenhle Sibanda, Patience Marume, Hugo Randinyu ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5This review looks at how climate disasters like droughts and floods affect child nutrition in poorer countries, including many in Africa. It found that these disasters are linked to higher rates of stunting, wasting, and underweight in children under five. Disasters also disrupt breastfeeding and complementary feeding, worsen food insecurity, and increase caregiver stress. Children in rural, resource-poor areas are hit hardest. The authors call for nutrition programmes that can withstand climate shocks and better integration of nutrition into disaster planning.
Key points
- Droughts and floods were most studied and consistently linked to stunting, wasting, and underweight.
- Disasters disrupted breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices.
- Household food insecurity and maternal psychological distress increased after disasters.
- Access to health and nutrition services declined following disasters.
- Rural and resource-constrained children were most vulnerable.
Limitations
As a narrative review of 11 heterogeneous studies without meta-analysis, it cannot quantify effect sizes precisely or confirm causal pathways, and specific African countries studied are not named in the abstract.
Abstract
Climate-related disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, posing major threats to child health and nutrition, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These events disrupt food systems, health services, water and sanitation infrastructure, and caregiving practices, increasing the risk of undernutrition among children under five years of age. This narrative review synthesised current evidence on the effects of climate-related disasters on child nutrition and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in LMICs. A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature published up to June 2025 was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies were eligible if they examined the association between climate-related disasters including droughts, floods, cyclones, and climate variability and nutritional outcomes or feeding practices among children under five years in LMICs. Findings were synthesised narratively because of substantial heterogeneity in study designs, exposures, and outcome measures. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Droughts and floods were the most frequently investigated climate-related disasters and were consistently associated with increased risks of stunting, wasting, and underweight. Several studies also reported disruptions to breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, worsening household food insecurity, increased maternal psychological distress, and reduced access to essential health and nutrition services following disasters. Children living in rural and resource-constrained settings were consistently identified as the most vulnerable. Climate-related disasters adversely affect child nutrition through multiple interconnected pathways, including reduced food availability, increased infectious diseases, disruption of feeding practices, and weakened health systems. Strengthening climate-resilient nutrition programmes, protecting infant and young child feeding during emergencies, and integrating nutrition into disaster preparedness and climate adaptation policies are essential to improve child health outcomes in LMICs.