The Association Between Animal Source Foods and Stunting in Children Aged 6 Months to 5 Years: A Systematic Review

Children under the age of 5 are at a critical stage of growth and development requiring the support of adequate nutrition. Stunting is a measure of failure to reach linear growth potential and can be used as an indicator of reductions in neurodevelopment and cognitive function, elevated risk of morbidity and mortality in childhood and chronic disease in adulthood. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the consumption of animal source foods (ASF) and stunting in low- and middle-income countries. A systematic review was conducted using the CINAHL, Embase, Global Index Medicus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. To identify gray literature, the sources examined were the International Food Policy Research Institute publications, the New York Academy of Medicine Grey Literature Report, OpenGrey, and Proquest Digital Dissertations. Studies that quantified ASF consumption by frequency, quantity, or both in children 6 to 59 months in low- and middle-income countries were included in the...