> Let's Forward this Post Everywhere ❕ *27% of Zim children suffer stunted growth* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaDkMuTFCCoNC13vvo2V _*©Eragon Online News*_ *_(Follow this channel to read more...)_* *Group Link:* https://chat.whatsapp.com/CDyzvhE1ey5H89lorhyIvn By Lawrence Maphosa, The Standard - At least 27% of children under the age of five in Zimbabwe are stunted due to chronic malnutrition because of poverty, a new report says. Stunting is the impaired growth and development that children experience due to poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. Children are defined as stunted if their height-for-age is more than two standard deviations below the World Health Organisation child growth standards median. The Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) 2023-24 shed light on the prevalence of stunting among children under five, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this critical public health issue. According to the report, stunting prevalence is higher among children aged 24-59 months (29%) compared to those aged 0-23 months (23%). Children born small at birth are more likely to be stunted, with 46% of them falling below the normal height-for-age range. The survey found that children whose mothers are thin are more likely to be stunted, with 36% of them falling below the normal height-for-age range. “Overall, 27% of children under age five are stunted, with 6% being severely stunted,” the report said. "The prevalence of stunting and underweight among children under age 5 gradually decreased between 2005-6 and 2015, from 35% to 27% and from 13% to 8%, respectively." The ZDHS report surveyed over 2 800 children under the age of five and found that 2% are wasted, with less than 1% severely wasted. Regional disparities are also evident, with Matabeleland South having the highest prevalence of stunting (33%) and Bulawayo having the lowest (22%). “The proportion of children, who are stunted is highest in Matabeleland South (33%) and lowest in Bulawayo (22%),” the report notes. “Wasting is highest in Masvingo (3%) with lowest in Harare (0%).” The report highlighted the importance of growth monitoring and promotion programs, which include regular measurement of children's weight and length/height. According to the survey, 56% of children under age five had their weight measured by a healthcare provider in the three months preceding the survey, while 48% had their height/length measured. Bulawayo had the highest percentage of children with both weight and height measurements taken (67%), while Harare had the lowest (36%). In terms of infant and young child feeding practices, the report found that almost all children under age two (97%) have been breastfed at some point in time. However, only 67% of children were breastfed within an hour after birth, and 83% were exclusively breastfed for the first two days after birth. The report emphasised the importance of optimal infant and young child feeding practices, including early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and introduction of safe and appropriate complementary foods at age six months. “The percentage of children who were breastfed within 1 hour of birth is higher among those whose mothers received breastfeeding counselling during antenatal care (70%) than among those whose mothers who did not receive counselling (67%) or any antenatal care (49%),” the report stated. The ZDHS report provides valuable insights into the nutritional status of children under five in Zimbabwe, highlighting areas of progress and concern. The Standard