Ethiopia: A study has revealed that malnutrition and low meat consumption dietary diversity remain significant challenges for children in Ethiopia. Despite Ethiopia’s abundant livestock population, researchers from the University of Edinburgh’s Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, the study highlights that only a small percentage of children under five regularly consume animal-sourced foods such as milk, eggs, or meat.
The research found that while dairy products and eggs were the most commonly consumed animal-based foods, meat and seafood remained scarce in children’s diets. This lack of variety limits the rate of nutrition available to children, increasing the risks of malnutrition and stunted growth.
The study identified affordability and a lack of awareness among caregivers as the primary obstacles to incorporating meat into children’s diets. Animal-sourced foods, especially meat, are often too expensive for many families. Additionally, caregivers are frequently ignorant of the nutritional value of these foods, sometimes opting to sell them for income instead of feeding them to their children. Cultural and religious practices, such as extended fasting periods, further confine children’s access to nutrient-rich foods, despite advice from religious leaders against fasting for young children.
In Amhara, a large farming region in northern Ethiopia, only one in ten children regularly consumes animal-sourced food, and nearly half suffer from stunted growth. Researchers emphasize that rising meat consumption could play a key role in preventing stunting, which is largely driven by a lack of dietary diversity. Such nutritional gaps can lead to long-term effects on cognitive development, productivity, and economic prospects, trapping families in cycles of poverty.
The study, published in Maternal and Child Nutrition, aims to launch large-scale interventions to promote the consumption of animal-sourced foods in Amhara. These efforts include educating caregivers on the importance of meat in children’s diets. However, ongoing civil conflict in the region has delayed the performance of these initiatives.
Supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, the research is part of the Global Academy’s collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Researchers hope that targeted social interventions concentrated on both awareness and accessibility will significantly improve children’s dietary diversity.
Dr. Taddese Zerfu, lead author of the study, emphasized that, “Affordability and lack of awareness are obstacles to including meat in children’s diets in Ethiopia. However, through targeted social interventions that educate caregivers about the nutritional benefits of animal-sourced foods, we can significantly improve children’s dietary diversity.” Professor Alan Duncan added that, “Families often prioritize selling animal-sourced foods for income, unaware of the critical role they play in child development. This underscores the need for targeted interventions focused on both awareness and accessibility.”