The Gambia

London 2013

1. Reduce stunting prevalence from 23% to 18% by 2015.

2. Increase exclusive breastfeeding from 56% to 65% by 2015.

Reported progress

The Gambia Micronutrient Survey (GMNS) was conducted in 2018 and the results show that stunting has been reduced from 24.5% (DHS, 2013) to 15.7% (GMNS, 2018). It also important to note that wasting and underweight have also improved:

- Wasting 11.5% (DHS, 2013) to 5.8% (GMNS, 2018)

- Underweight 16.2% (DHS, 2013) to 10.6% (GMNS, 2018).

The GMNS also provided information on the status of Micronutrient Deficiency in the country as well as the nutritional status of women as indicated below:

1. Children

Anaemia – 50.4%; Iron Deficiency Anaemia – 38.2%; Vitamin A Deficiency – 18.3%

2. Non-Pregnant Women

Anaemia – 50.9%; Iron Deficiency Anaemia – 28.0%; Vitamin A Deficiency – 1.8%; Underweight (BMI <18) – 15.4%; Overweight (BMI >25) – 18.3%; Obesity (BMI >30) – 11.1%

3. Pregnant women

Anaemia – 56.8%

The current EBF Rate is 55.2% (MICS 2018 – Unpublished). Please note that the figure used as the baseline was from a different survey. A subsequent survey showed a drop of the EBR rate to 47% (DHS, 2013) but it is now picking up as indicated above.