Document Type

Report

Publication Date

12-15-2021

Abstract

In the last two decades, Kenya has attained middle-income status and established a diverse and private-sector-driven economy. On several socio-economic indicators, such as education, gender equality, and democracy, Kenya scores much higher than its peers. More than two-thirds of Kenyans are under 35 years of age, thus the country’s development hinges on the quality of its youth—their levels of education and skills, their values and attitudes, and the quality of their health and productivity. While Kenya’s investments in the development of its human capital positions the country well to sustain accelerated growth, the trajectory is threatened by high rates of malnutrition, which contributes to the country’s disease burden and has a large effect on socio-economic development. About 26 percent of children in Kenya are stunted, and evidence indicates that poor nutrition in early life can create consequences for learning and future productivity. Women who were stunted as children are likely to give birth to low-birth-weight babies, which is associated with higher levels of morbidity and mortality. This report analyzes the status of stunting in Kenya from a household perspective and points to pathways for addressing it.

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DOI

10.31899/sbsr2021.1064

Language

English

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