Peer-reviewed article
Growth parameters and food frequently consumed by Basotho children aged 6-24 months old at Maseru and Leribe districts of Lesotho: A cross-sectional study.
Mothusi Nyofane, Malebusa Rapotsane, Mohlotsane Moshao ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study measured the growth and diet of 113 children aged 6-24 months in two districts of Lesotho. Most children were breastfed in the first district but fewer in the second. Maize porridge and commercial baby cereals were the most common complementary foods. Stunting (low height for age) was common, especially in Leribe district at 36.5%, and wasting (low weight for height) was also present, indicating undernutrition.
Key points
- Breastfeeding rates were 54.0% in Maseru and 28.6% in Leribe
- Complementary feeding was introduced at mean age 5.2-5.3 months in both districts
- Stunting prevalence was 20.0% in Maseru and 36.5% in Leribe (p < 0.001)
- Wasting prevalence was 10.0% in Maseru and 20.6% in Leribe, including 14.3% severe wasting
- Main complementary foods were maize porridge (84.1% in Leribe) and commercial baby cereal (68.0% in Maseru)
Limitations
This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with no comparison group or follow-up, so it cannot identify causes of undernutrition or test interventions. The study describes nutritional status at one point in time in two districts and may not be representative of all Lesotho children.
Abstract
Undernutrition in children remains a public health concern. Despite the global efforts to address undernutrition, Lesotho continues to bear the highest burden of childhood undernutrition. The study assessed the anthropometric measurements and dietary intake of children aged 6-24 months. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 113 mother-child dyads attending clinic visits at Makoanyane Military Hospital (Maseru district); n = 50 and Motebang Hospital (Leribe district); n = 63. A structured sociodemographic and feeding practices questionnaires based on adapted World Health Organization (WHO) questionnaires were used. The usual food consumption was collected using an unquantified food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and z scores computation were done as per WHO standard guidelines. Statistics included percentages for categorical variables and means for continuous variables. The percentage of continued breastfeeding was 54.0% in Maseru and 28.6% in Leribe districts. Complementary feeds were introduced at the mean age of 5.3 ± 1.0 (Maseru) and 5.2 ± 1.3 months (Leribe). In Leribe, 84.1% of children were consuming maize porridge every day while in Maseru, 68.0% of children were consuming commercial baby cereal every day. The prevalence of wasting was 10.0% (Maseru) and 20.6% with 14.3% of severe wasting (Leribe). A higher percentage of stunting was observed in Leribe (36.5%) than in Maseru (20.0%) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of moderate and severe stunting was 8.0% and 12.0% in Maseru and 20.6% and 15.9% in Leribe, respectively. The prevalence of stunting is alarmingly high in Leribe. The findings suggest an urgent need to strengthen maternal and child health and nutrition programs to ameliorate feeding practices and nutritional status.