Prevalence of child stunting in Sub-Saharan Africa and its risk factors

Background & AimsChild stunting (impaired height-for-age) is a marker of chronic undernutrition and results from insufficient energy nutrient uptakes. Stunting has severe consequences for future physical mental development. A WHO target to reduce the prevalence by 40% within 2025. In contrast other parts world, been major public health problem in many African countries long time. Here we present narrative review on during last 20 years among children ? 5 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where rampant.MethodsWe identified 13 articles 2000-2020 based pre-defined criteria.ResultsChildren SSA are highly affected stunting, with an average 41%. significantly higher >1 year, boys, low birth weight, shorter interpregnancy interval, mothers lower education, poor food insecure households. Maternal feeding practices environmental factors (e.g. climate change) important risk factors.ConclusionsAlthough reduced over two decades, great effort remains reach global target. Policies interventions should education women, child including change. Child rampant. We criteria. Children factors. Although