Researchers in Ivory Coast studied what 407 young children between 6 and 36 months old were eating every day. They found that most kids were drinking milk and eating grains, but very few were eating meat, fruits, eggs, or beans—foods that contain important nutrients their bodies need to grow strong. About 3 out of 4 children weren’t eating enough variety of foods, which could lead to nutritional problems. The study shows that families in this area need help learning about better ways to feed their young children.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What foods young children in Ivory Coast were actually eating and whether they were getting enough variety and nutrition from their diets
  • Who participated: 407 healthy children between 6 months and 3 years old living in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s capital city. About half were girls, and mothers reported what their children ate over one day
  • Key finding: Most children (74%) weren’t eating enough different types of foods. While nearly all kids drank milk and ate grains, very few ate protein-rich foods like meat, eggs, or beans, or ate fruits and vegetables
  • What it means for you: If you’re a parent or caregiver in similar communities, this research suggests your child may benefit from eating more variety—especially adding more fruits, vegetables, eggs, and beans. Talk to a healthcare provider about age-appropriate foods for your child

The Research Details

Researchers asked mothers of 407 young children in Abidjan, Ivory Coast to describe everything their child ate and drank in one day. They organized this information by food groups (like dairy, grains, vegetables, meat, and fruits) based on international nutrition guidelines adjusted for local foods. They then calculated a “dietary diversity score” to see how many different food groups each child was eating. This type of study is called a cross-sectional study because it takes a snapshot of what’s happening at one point in time, rather than following children over months or years.

The children were divided into three age groups: babies just starting solid foods (6-11 months), toddlers (12-23 months), and older toddlers (24-36 months). This helped researchers see if eating patterns changed as children got older. The mothers answered questions about what their children ate, and researchers used this information to understand the typical diet of young children in this urban area.

Understanding what children actually eat in real life is the first step to fixing nutrition problems. Before doctors and health workers can design programs to help children get better nutrition, they need to know what’s currently being eaten, what’s missing, and why. This study provides that foundation for Ivory Coast and similar communities

This study is reliable for describing what children in Abidjan are eating right now. The researchers used a standard method (24-hour dietary recall) that’s commonly used worldwide. However, because mothers reported what their children ate from memory, there might be small errors. The study shows what’s happening in one city at one time, so results might be different in rural areas or other countries. The study doesn’t explain WHY families make the food choices they do, which would require additional research

What the Results Show

The study found that children’s diets were heavily focused on just a few food groups. Nearly all children (92%) drank dairy products like milk, and 88% ate cereals and grains. However, only about half ate fish (49%), and very few ate meat (11%), fruits (15%), eggs (15%), beans (3%), or nuts and seeds (2%).

As children got older, their diets changed in concerning ways. Younger babies (6-11 months) drank more milk, but as they grew, milk consumption dropped while grain and starchy food eating increased. The average child was only eating foods from about 3 different food groups per day, when nutrition experts recommend at least 4-5 different groups for healthy development.

About three-quarters of the children (74%) weren’t eating enough variety to meet minimum nutrition standards. This means most young children in this study weren’t getting the full range of vitamins and minerals their growing bodies need. The study also found that breastfeeding was common at 6 months (95% of babies), but dropped significantly as children got older—only 3% of children aged 2-3 years were still breastfeeding.

The research showed that dairy products were the most commonly consumed food group, which is positive since milk provides calcium and protein. However, the heavy reliance on grains and starches without enough protein from meat, fish, eggs, or beans means children may not be getting enough iron and other important minerals. The very low consumption of fruits and vegetables (only 15% and 41% respectively) means children are missing out on vitamins and fiber. The extremely low consumption of beans (3%) and nuts (2%) is particularly concerning since these are affordable sources of protein and nutrients in many African communities

Similar studies in other low-income countries have found comparable patterns—young children eating mostly grains and dairy while missing out on protein-rich foods and produce. This research confirms that micronutrient deficiencies in young children are a widespread problem in urban areas of West Africa, not just a problem in one location. The findings align with what nutrition experts have been warning about: that even when families have enough food to eat, the food may not have enough nutritional variety

This study only looked at children in one city (Abidjan) on one day, so we don’t know if these eating patterns are the same in rural areas or if they change with seasons. Mothers reported what their children ate from memory, which might not be perfectly accurate. The study doesn’t explain why families make these food choices—whether it’s due to cost, availability, cultural preferences, or lack of knowledge. The research also didn’t measure whether children actually had nutritional deficiencies, just whether their diets had enough variety. Finally, the study was done in 2024-2025, so results may not apply to other countries or time periods

The Bottom Line

Based on this research (moderate confidence): Parents and caregivers should work to add more variety to young children’s diets, especially including eggs, beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables when age-appropriate. For babies 6-11 months, continue breastfeeding while introducing soft, mashed versions of family foods. For toddlers 12-36 months, aim to include foods from at least 4-5 different food groups daily. Consult with a pediatrician or nutritionist about affordable, locally-available foods that provide protein and nutrients

This research is most relevant to families in West Africa, particularly in urban areas of Ivory Coast and similar countries. It’s also important for healthcare workers, nutrition programs, and government health officials in low-income countries designing feeding programs for young children. Parents in wealthier countries may find it interesting for understanding global nutrition challenges, but the specific recommendations apply most to communities with similar food availability and economic situations

Changes in diet can affect a child’s nutrition within weeks to months, but visible improvements in growth and development typically take 3-6 months of consistent better nutrition. Some benefits like improved energy and fewer infections may appear sooner

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the number of different food groups your child eats each day, aiming for at least 4-5 groups. Log: dairy, grains, protein (meat/fish/eggs/beans), vegetables, and fruits. Use the app to set a daily reminder to include variety
  • Use the app to create a simple weekly meal plan for your toddler that includes at least one food from each major group daily. Start by adding one new food per week if your child currently eats from fewer than 4 groups
  • Weekly check-in: Review which food groups your child ate most and least. Monthly assessment: Track whether dietary diversity is improving. Use photos or notes to remember what your child actually ate, making the 24-hour recall more accurate

This research describes eating patterns in one African city and does not provide personalized medical advice. The findings suggest areas for improvement but don’t diagnose nutritional deficiencies. Before making significant changes to your child’s diet, especially if your child has health conditions, allergies, or is underweight, consult with your pediatrician or a registered dietitian. This study is observational and shows associations, not proven cause-and-effect. Individual children’s nutritional needs vary based on age, activity level, and health status.