Peer-reviewed article
Breaking the Cycle: Intergenerational Transmission of Stunting in Sub‐Saharan Africa—Evidence From 19 Countries
Demisu Zenbaba, Sanni Yaya ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This study uses Demographic and Health Survey data from 19 sub-Saharan African countries. It covers 91,840 children aged 6–59 months and their mothers, surveyed between 2013 and 2024. It examines whether children of stunted mothers are more likely to be stunted themselves. About 31.5% of children were stunted overall, and the rate was much higher among children of stunted mothers. The authors conclude that maternal stunting is a strong, independent predictor of child stunting and call for life-course approaches to nutrition.
Key points
- Overall child stunting prevalence was 31.5%.
- Stunting was 66.6% among children of stunted mothers, compared with 32.3% among children of non-stunted mothers.
- Maternal stunting was linked to higher odds of child stunting (adjusted odds ratio 3.79; 95% CI 3.25–4.43).
- Maternal education, household wealth and place of residence were also associated with child stunting.
- Prevalence was highest in Central Africa (37.8%) and lowest in Western Africa (26.6%).
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional survey analysis, so it shows association rather than cause and effect, and it does not test any intervention. Only the abstract was provided, so the individual countries and the details of the adjustment variables cannot be confirmed.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Stunting, largely established during the first 1000 days of life, remains a major public health challenge in sub‐Saharan Africa, contributing to early‐life deficits and perpetuating intergenerational disadvantage. Children born to stunted mothers are at increased risk of experiencing stunting themselves, reflecting the persistence of nutritional vulnerability across generations. This study examines the association between maternal and child stunting across 19 sub‐Saharan African countries using recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data. A cross‐sectional analysis was conducted using pooled DHS data from 91,840 children aged 6–59 months and their mothers, collected between 2013 and 2024. Child stunting was defined as a height‐for‐age Z‐score (HAZ) below −2 standard deviations. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between maternal and child stunting, adjusting for key sociodemographic and household characteristics. The overall prevalence of child stunting was 31.5%. Stunting prevalence was substantially higher among children of stunted mothers (66.6%) compared to those of non‐stunted mothers (32.3%). Maternal stunting was associated with significantly increased odds of child stunting (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.79; 95% CI: 3.25–4.43). Additional determinants included maternal education, household wealth, and place of residence. Marked regional disparities were observed, with the highest prevalence in Central Africa (37.8%) and the lowest in Western Africa (26.6%). Maternal stunting emerges as a strong and independent predictor of child stunting, underscoring the importance of life‐course approaches to nutrition. Interventions targeting maternal nutrition, female education, and structural socioeconomic inequalities are essential to disrupt the intergenerational transmission of stunting in sub‐Saharan Africa.