Nutrition 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Breastfeeding Status Under 6 Months

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.

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.

IYCF Practices Percent of children 6-23 months

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

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

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

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

Prevalence of Anaemia among Women Percent of women age with any anaemia

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

Nutritional Status of Children Percent of children under *Based on the new WHO Child Growth Standards

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%

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

Nutritional Status of Women Percent of women by nutritional status

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 who are overweight or obese Ghana 30%

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