Effectiveness of Supplemental Feeding Combined with Nutrition Education on Child Nutrition Outcomes in Kenya

Background/Objectives: Nutrition education coupled with supplemental feeding has been shown to be an effective intervention to combat child undernutrition. However, evidence of such interventions remains scarce in pastoralist communities in Kenya despite a high burden of child undernutrition. This study aimed to assess the combined effect of a theory-based nutrition education intervention and consumption of Harvest Lentil Vegetable Blend on feeding practices and the nutritional status of Turkana children in Kenya.

Methods

This study was a two-month-long quasi-experimental controlled trial, entailing children aged 6 months to 59 months (n = 318) and their caregivers (n = 284). Children in the intervention group received one daily meal of supplemental food for a total of eight weeks, and their caregivers received a theory-based nutrition education intervention. Linear mixed effects models and generalized estimating equations were employed to assess the combined effect of the interventions.