1. Nutrition 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey

2. Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices Micronutrient Intake and Anaemia Nutritional Status of Children Nutritional Status of Women © Erberto Zani, Courtesy of Photoshare

3. Early Breastfeeding Provides a newborn with colostrum, a key supplement for the infants immune system. 52% of newborns are breastfed within the first hour of life, and 82% within the first day. 18% of newborns received a prelacteal feed. 98% of infants are ever breastfed. 11% of infants under 6 months are bottle-fed.

4. Duration of Breastfeeding Median duration of breastfeeding in months among children born in the last 3 years

5. How does Ghana Compare? Median duration of any breastfeeding in months

6. Exclusive Breastfeeding Children who receive only breast milk are considered exclusively breastfed. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life, since breast milk contains all the nutrients that a baby needs. Antibodies in breast milk provide immunity to disease.

7. Exclusive Breastfeeding by Age Age in months Percent of children exclusively breastfed

8. Breastfeeding Status Under 6 Months

9. Complementary Foods Introduction of complementary foods before age 6 months is discouraged. After 6 months, complementary foods should be introduced. 17% of children under 6 months are already consuming solid or mushy food. 75% of children age 6-9 months consume solid or mushy food.

10. IYCF Practices The Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF) recommended by WHO: – Breastfed children over 6 months should also receive 3 or more food groups, at least twice a day for infants 6-8 months and at least 3 times a day for breastfed children 9-23 months. – Non-breastfed children should receive milk or milk products, in addition to 4 or more food groups, 4 times a day or more.

11. IYCF Practices Percent of children 6-23 months

12. Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices Micronutrient Intake and Anaemia Nutritional Status of Children Nutritional Status of Women © Erberto Zani, Courtesy of Photoshare

13. Vitamin A and Iron Intake Among youngest child age 6-35 months living with his/her mother Among children age 6-59 months

14. Vitamin A and Iron Intake among Mothers Percent of women age 15-49

15. Prevalence of Anaemia among Children Percent of children age 6-59 months with any anaemia

16. Prevalence of Anaemia among Women Percent of women age 15-49 with any anaemia

17. Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices Micronutrient Intake and Anaemia Nutritional Status of Children Nutritional Status of Women © Erberto Zani, Courtesy of Photoshare

18. Nutritional Status of Children Percent of children under 5 9 14 28 *Based on the new WHO Child Growth Standards

19. Childrens Stunting by Region Percent of children under 5 stunted (too short for age) Ghana 28% Northern 32% Volta 27% Ashanti 27% Brong Ahafo 25% Western 27% Eastern 38% Upper West 25% Central 34% Upper East 36% Greater Accra 14%

20. Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices Micronutrient Intake and Anaemia Nutritional Status of Children Nutritional Status of Women © Erberto Zani, Courtesy of Photoshare

21. Nutritional Status of Women Percent of women 15-49 by nutritional status

22. Womens Nutritional Status by Region Northern 14% Volta 28% Ashanti 31% Brong Ahafo 20% Western 34% Eastern 34% Upper West 13% Central 32% Upper East 15% Greater Accra 45% Percent of women age 15-49 who are overweight or obese Ghana 30%

23. Key Findings Children are breastfed for a median of 20.2 months – However, children are exclusively breastfed for 3.3 months All children under 6 months are breastfed63% of children under 6 months are exclusively breastfed, and 17% are already receiving complementary foods 28% of children are stunted (short for their age) 9% of women are thin, while 30% are overweight or obese