Affordability and lack of awareness drive low consumption of animal products in Ethiopian children, prompting experts to plan interventions.
Malnutrition and poor dietary diversity remain significant challenges for children in Ethiopia, despite the country’s large livestock population, a study highlights.
The study, led by a team of researchers from the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems at the University of Edinburgh, reveals that only a small percentage of children under five regularly consume animal-sourced foods such as milk, eggs, or meat.
The study found that dairy products and eggs were the most consumed animal-based foods, but meat and seafood were rarely eaten. This limits the variety and quality of children’s diets, increasing the risks of malnutrition and stunted growth.
Findings also suggest that affordability and a lack of awareness among caregivers are the main barriers to including meat in young children’s diets.
Key barriers
The research team analysed data from a national family health survey and carried out interviews with members of the community to understand the reasons behind the low consumption of meat and other animal products.
Findings indicate that animal-sourced food, especially meat, remains unaffordable for many families in the region studied. Additionally, many caregivers are unaware of the nutritional benefits of animal-sourced foods, often choosing to sell animal products for income instead of feeding them to their children.
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