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Optimum birth interval (36-48 months) may reduce the risk of undernutrition in children: A meta-analysis

James Ntambara1, Wendi Zhang1, Anni Qiu1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.

Frontiers in Nutrition
|January 30, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Longer birth intervals (≥24 months) are linked to better child nutrition, reducing risks of underweight, stunting, and wasting. An optimal interval of 36-48 months offers the most protection against childhood undernutrition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Short birth intervals are known risk factors for adverse child nutrition.
  • The impact of long birth intervals on child nutritional status remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively evaluate the relationship between birth interval length and child nutrition outcomes.
  • To identify optimal birth intervals for improved child nutritional status.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative meta-analysis of 46 studies.
  • Inclusion of 898,860 children's data.
  • Comparison of short (<24 months) versus longer birth intervals (≥24 months).

Main Results:

  • Birth intervals of ≥24 months were associated with reduced risk of stunting and wasting.
  • A U-shaped relationship was observed for underweight, with the 36-48 month interval showing the strongest protective effect (OR = 0.54).
  • Longer intervals significantly decreased the risk of undernutrition compared to short intervals.

Conclusions:

  • Longer birth intervals (≥24 months) are significantly associated with decreased childhood undernutrition.
  • An optimal birth interval of 36-48 months may be beneficial for reducing poor nutritional outcomes, particularly underweight.
  • Findings support policymakers in maternal and child health, family planning, and nutrition programs.
Abstract

Keywords:
birth intervalstuntingundernutritionunderweightwasting

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