Peer-reviewed article
Trends of Child Wasting and Stunting in Uganda from 1995 to 2016, and Progress Towards 65TH World Health Assembly Global Nutrition Targets
Edward Buzigi ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study tracks child wasting and stunting in Uganda from 1995 to 2016 using national health surveys. Wasting decreased from 5.3% to 4.0%, and stunting fell from 38.3% to 29% over the period. Uganda achieved the global target for wasting but is unlikely to meet the stunting target by 2025 at current rates. However, significant regional inequalities exist, with some areas like Karamoja and West Nile experiencing increases in wasting.
Key points
- National wasting prevalence decreased from 5.3% (1995) to 4.0% (2016), with annual reduction rate of 0.01%
- National stunting prevalence decreased from 38.3% (1995) to 29% (2016), with annual reduction rate of 0.45%
- Uganda achieved the 65th World Health Assembly target for wasting by 2016
- At current rates, Uganda will not achieve the stunting target by 2025
- Regional inequalities exist: wasting increased in Karamoja (7.1% to 10%) and West Nile (6.2% to 10.4%), and stunting increased in Kampala (13.5% to 18%) between 2011-2016
Limitations
This is a trend analysis using existing survey data and does not evaluate the effectiveness of specific interventions to reduce stunting and wasting. The document cannot explain the causes of regional disparities or identify which policy changes or programmes were most effective.
Abstract
Between 1995 and 2016, the government of Uganda ratified several commitments to fight child undernutrition including achieving the 65th World Health Assembly (WHA) targets of reducing stunting and wasting by 2025. It is important we monitor such commitments to inform policy makers about the progress of their commitments. The objective of this study was to review national and regional trends of stunting and wasting in Uganda from 1995 to 2016, and assess progress towards the 65th WHA global nutrition targets for stunting and wasting. The Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys conducted from 1995 to 2016 were used to review national regional trends in stunting and wasting for children less than five years of age. At national level, the prevalence of wasting decreased from 5.3% in 1995 to 4.0% in 2016 while the prevalence of stunting decreased from 38.3% in 1995 to 29% in 2016. The annual reduction rate of stunting and wasting were 0.45% and 0.01% respectively. At regional level, the prevalence of wasting in Karamoja increased from 7.1% in 2011 to 10% in 2016, a similar trend of wasting was observed in west Nile (from 6.2 % in 2011 to 10.4 % in 2016), the prevalence of stunting (13.5% in 2011 to 18% in 2016) increased in Kampala region. In the year 2016, there was regional inequalities of stunting and wasting. Some regions were above or below the national prevalence. There was an overall decline of wasting and stunting in Uganda between 1995 and 2016, but the prevalence of stunting remained unacceptably high at 29%. By the year 2016, Uganda had already achieved the 65th WHA target for wasting but may not achieve for stunting by 2025 if the annual reduction rate of stunting remains low at 0.45%. These findings summarize progress achieved towards fighting stunting and wasting in the last two decades in Uganda and help identify regions that need feasible interventions.