By Milcah Tanimu

A shocking report reveals that 45 percent of children under the age of five in Kano State, Nigeria, suffer from stunted growth due to improper breastfeeding techniques and inadequate nutrition. The Deputy Director of Family Health and Nutrition at the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board made this troubling revelation during an annual dialogue on Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition.

The dialogue was organized in partnership with the Alive and Thrive Initiative. Kano State, with a population of 810,000 children aged 6–23 months, faces a significant challenge in addressing stunting due to undernutrition and improper breastfeeding practices.

The report highlighted several key issues:

• High Stunting Rates: Kano State records a staggering 46 percent stunting rate among children under five.
• Dietary Diversity: Only 30 percent of children aged 6–23 months in Kano consume food from five different varieties daily, and just 40.5 percent eat the ideal number of meals per day.
• Minimum Acceptable Diet: A mere 14.6 percent of children meet the criteria for a Minimum Acceptable Diet.
• Consumption of Nutrient-Rich Foods: Only 28.7 percent of children consume meat, 12.3 percent consume dairy, and a mere 2 percent consume eggs.

The report emphasizes the critical importance of the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday, as a crucial period for preventing undernutrition and its consequences. The promotion of optimal growth, health, and development during this period can have a significant impact on children’s well-being.

The report also underscores the need for appropriate complementary foods for children aged 6–23 months, along with continued breastfeeding for up to two years and micronutrient supplementation for women and children to address deficiencies. These investments in nutrition, particularly during the early years of life, can yield dramatic results for children, families, and communities.

Additionally, the report highlights the interconnectedness of maternal and newborn health and nutrition, revealing that Nigeria accounts for over 34 percent of global maternal deaths. Preventable deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, or after abortion pose a significant risk to Nigerian women. The country loses approximately 2,313 children daily, translating to 844,321 under-five children deaths annually, with nearly half attributed to malnutrition.

Efforts to improve nutrition and healthcare during the critical first 1,000 days of life are crucial to addressing these alarming statistics and improving the well-being of mothers and children in Nigeria.