Benin battles child stunting as misconceptions and poor diets hinder progress

In Benin, over 30% of children younger than five experience stunted growth, a form of impaired development caused by chronic malnutrition. Farmers such as Sabi Bera Zakari focus on weight rather than height, while development sociologist Boris Gloni notes widespread misconceptions that foods like milk, eggs or cornmeal are harmful. Volunteers like Douro Wonkourou Idrissou measure children's arm circumferences to detect wasting, but heavy reliance on starchy staples and limited resources worsen the issue, particularly in the drought-affected northern savannah.

The government aims to bring stunting below 30% by 2030, backed by the World Bank-funded "1,000 Days" program, micronutrient supplements, and school canteens, yet rates appear to be stagnating. Organizations including The Hunger Project and CASCADE Benin conduct community dialogues and highlight exemplary mothers to shift harmful customs. Ongoing challenges involve young, illiterate household heads, large families, and the practice of keeping livestock and eggs for cash rather than nutrition.