Published Paper Details:

Malnutrition (undernutrition) remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, that has been fueled and sustained by insecurity, a dwindling economy in addition to the impact of climate change. This review seeks to discuss the various approaches in the management of undernutrition among children in the country with the view of providing up to date information and best practices on the subject. A review of databases like Google Schoolar, PubMed and Global repository like the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) was done to obtain information on the subject. The key outcome sought in the review were methods used by government, implementing partners (Community Based Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and the United Nations), mothers/caregivers and researchers on the various approaches utilized for the management of undernutrition in Nigeria. The result showed that there are basically five approaches for the management of undernutrition in Nigeria. These include the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) approach that targets optimum nutritional practices from birth to two years and beyond, Community Management of Acute Malnutrition which consist of community mobilization, outpatient care for the management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) without complications using the Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), the in-patient care carried out in stabilization centres using RUTF, Formula 75 (F75) and Formula 100 (F100) depending on the condition of the child, and the Supplementary Feeding Program for the Management of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) using Ready to Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) and Micronutrient powder in addition to counselling which targets children aged 6 -59months. The next approach is the food-based approach which targets children alone and involves the use of locally available food (Tom Brown) and fruits to prevent /treat moderate malnutrition, and the food-based approach for mothers (Porridge Mum) which involves food demonstrations and provision of quality food to pregnant and lactating mothers and their babies usually in humanitarian conditions and lastly the nutrition sensitive agriculture approach which involves the implementation of agriculture programs that puts "nutrition first" and involves the fortification of agricultural products and building the capacity of local farmers on best agricultural practices that are climate smart and ensure high yields of crops with high nutritional value to address the nutritional needs of the entire households and community. Factors reported to contribute to the sustained cases of malnutrition in Nigeria include poverty, insecurity, misuse and management of nutrition commodities, lack of knowledge amongst mothers and caregivers on the various approaches of managing undernutrition. There is an urgent need to come up with innovations and implements strategies that timely detects and holistically address malnutrition in Nigeria in order to actualize zero hunger in the country by 2030 (SDG 2).