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Psychosocial Aspects of Malnutrition Among African Children: Antecedents, Consequences, and Interventions

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Neuropsychology of Children in Africa

Part of the book series: Specialty Topics in Pediatric Neuropsychology ((STPN))

Abstract

Childhood malnutrition imposes a heavy burden on already vulnerable communities. Malnutrition, both in the form of undernutrition and overnutrition, has been associated with an elevated risk of mortality, morbidity, and cognitive and social-emotional impairment. Although undernutrition traditionally has been a major risk factor in developing countries, overnutrition is increasingly becoming a burden with more children experiencing the adverse effects of overweight. Malnutrition not only leads to adverse psychosocial outcomes but also has been associated with a host of psychosocial antecedents. This current chapter attempts to synthesize existing empirical evidence from Africa so as to identify research gaps and potentially useful points of intervention. The reviewed literature indicates that, other than economic factors which limit access to food, psychosocial factors such as maternal depression, maternal (un)employment, and stimulation provided at home impact children’s nutritional status. Limited research evidence exists on antecedents of overnutrition in the African context; however, eating habits, degree of physical activity, socioeconomic status, and area of residence seem to contribute to the development of overnutrition. Interventions that focus on both biomedical (i.e. nutritional supplementation and prevention of ill health) and psychosocial aspects seem to be the most promising in tackling undernutrition. Similarly, a broad-based approach, which focuses on changing eating habits and encouraging physical activities, holds promise in halting current trends in obesity. In conclusion, this review further emphasizes the crucial role played by psychosocial factors in the emergence of childhood malnutrition.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Fons van de Vijver and Patricia Kitsao Wekulo for their comments and feedback on the earlier version of this chapter. I would also like to acknowledge my colleagues at KEMRI-CGMR: Kilifi with whom our work together has helped shaped some of the ideas in this chapter. In this regard, special thanks to Penny Holding, Martha Mwangome, and Kath Maitland, and I also would like to acknowledge the editorial assistance of Anne B Giordani Ph.D., ELS.

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  1. Department of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Tilburg University, 90153, Tilburg, 5000, LE, The Netherlands

    Amina Abubakar Ph.D.

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  1. Amina Abubakar Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Amina Abubakar Ph.D. .

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  1. , Psychiatry and Neurology/Ophthalmology, Michigan State University, West Fee Hall 324, East Lansing, 48824-1315, Michigan, USA

    Michael J. Boivin

  2. , Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Commonwealth Blvd, Suite C 2101, Ann Arbor, 48105, Michigan, USA

    Bruno Giordani

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Abubakar, A. (2013). Psychosocial Aspects of Malnutrition Among African Children: Antecedents, Consequences, and Interventions. In: Boivin, M., Giordani, B. (eds) Neuropsychology of Children in Africa. Specialty Topics in Pediatric Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6834-9_9

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