C-WINS, Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions
Donate

When a Child Eats but Does Not Grow: Nigeria’s Hidden Nutrition Challenge

CHILD NUTRITION | NIGERIA MINI-DHS 2025–26

Why healthy growth depends on more than filling a child’s stomach.

A full stomach does not always mean a well-nourished child

A child may eat every day and still not receive enough of the right nutrients to grow well. For families, understanding this difference is an important step towards preventing malnutrition.

Nigeria’s Mini-Demographic and Health Survey 2025–26 Key Indicators Report presents a concerning picture of child nutrition. Four in every ten children under five, or 40.7%, were stunted nationally. Nationally, 21.7% of children under five were underweight, while 4.7% were wasted. The three terms describe different forms of nutritional difficulty:

Child nutrition indicators for children under five, Nigeria Mini-DHS 2025 to 26: stunted 40.7% (too short for their age, often reflecting long-term nutritional problems); underweight 21.7% (weighs less than expected for their age); wasted 4.7% (too thin for their height, which may indicate recent or acute undernutrition). Four in every ten children under five are stunted.
Figure 1. Child nutrition indicators for children under five, Nigeria Mini-DHS 2025–26

Where the gap is widest

Stunting was higher in rural areas (46.4%) than in urban areas (34.1%). Among the zones, the North West recorded the highest level, at 58.2%.

Stunting among children under five, Nigeria Mini-DHS 2025 to 26: North West (highest zone) 58.2%; rural areas 46.4%; Nigeria national 40.7%; urban areas 34.1%.
Figure 2. Stunting among children under five, by residence and zone (grey = not stunted)

Why early nutrition matters

The first years of life are a critical period for physical growth, brain development and learning. Poor nutrition can affect a child’s ability to grow, resist infections and reach developmental milestones.

Malnutrition is not always caused by a lack of food alone. Families may struggle to afford diverse foods, access clean water or sanitation, obtain health services, or find reliable information about feeding young children. Repeated infections can also make it harder for children to absorb nutrients and grow well.

A child’s healthy growth depends on affording diverse foods, access to clean water and sanitation, access to health services, reliable feeding information, and avoiding repeated infections that make absorbing nutrients harder.
Figure 3. Factors that shape a child’s growth beyond the food on the plate

What can families and communities do?

Practical steps can make a difference:

1Feed young children appropriately
Follow recommended infant and young child feeding guidance: exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, then safe, nutritious complementary foods from six months alongside continued breastfeeding.
2Use locally available foods
Where affordable and appropriate, combine staples with protein-rich foods, vegetables, fruits and other nutrient-dense ingredients to improve dietary diversity.
3Monitor growth
Take children to health facilities for growth monitoring and seek advice when a child is not gaining weight or growing as expected.
4Prevent and treat illness
Use available health services, maintain good hygiene and seek prompt care when children are sick.
5Support families
Community leaders, health workers and government programmes can improve access to nutrition counselling, treatment and social support.

What the survey tells us

The figures show that nutrition remains a major child health concern, with substantial differences between rural and urban children and across regions. Addressing it requires action from households, health facilities and government, not simply telling parents to feed their children better.

The bottom line

Good nutrition is an investment in a child’s future. Helping children grow well means improving access to nutritious food, preventing illness and ensuring families can get the advice and services they need.

Was this page useful to you?

Your answer is anonymous and helps us decide what to publish next.

Share this story

More stories

All insights

Partner with us to reach more communities.

Talk to us about research, advocacy and programme delivery in health and nutrition.

Contact us
Donate