Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo

Mamy Eklou; Serge Takou; Mamatchi Melila; Kwami Lumo Awaga; Sabiba Kou’santa Amouzou

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11

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Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo

Mamy Eklou^*

, Serge Takou

, Mamatchi Melila

, Kwami Lumo Awaga

, Sabiba Kou’santa Amouzou

Published in Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)

Received: 5 October 2025 Accepted: 18 October 2025 Published: 7 November 2025

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Abstract

Dietary diversity refers to the consumption of foods from different groups, which is essential to ensure adequate nutrient intake in children. However, the situation remains critical in Togo, with only 12% of children aged 6 to 23 months being fed according to optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Available data on these children’s diet must therefore be analyzed to better understand the situation and improve their nutrition. This research assesses the dietary diversity of children aged 6 to 23 months in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime regions of Togo, using data from the SMART 2022 survey (Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions). The sample studied included 620 children and 1002 households selected by a two-stage cluster sampling in the regions considered. In terms of Infant and Young Children Feeding (IYCF) practices, the results reveal that approximately 85% of children in the Kara and Savanes regions continue to be breastfed beyond 12 months, compared to 68.2% in the Maritime region. Despite relatively frequent introduction of solid foods, the proportion of children achieving minimum dietary diversity remains low (20%) in all three regions. These results are corroborated by the rates linked to malnutrition indicators observed during the study. It is therefore important to implement sustainable nutritional programs and projects to improve dietary diversity and meet the nutritional needs of children in vulnerable regions in Togo.

Published in	Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11
Page(s)	302-313
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dietary Diversity, Children 6 to 23 Months, Malnutrition, Savanes, Kara and Maritime Regions, Togo

References

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APA Style

Eklou, M., Takou, S., Melila, M., Awaga, K. L., Amouzou, S. K. (2025). Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 13(6), 302-313. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11

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ACS Style

Eklou, M.; Takou, S.; Melila, M.; Awaga, K. L.; Amouzou, S. K. Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo. J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2025, 13(6), 302-313. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11

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AMA Style

Eklou M, Takou S, Melila M, Awaga KL, Amouzou SK. Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo. J Food Nutr Sci. 2025;13(6):302-313. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11

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@article{10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11,
  author = {Mamy Eklou and Serge Takou and Mamatchi Melila and Kwami Lumo Awaga and Sabiba Kou’santa Amouzou},
  title = {Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo
},
  journal = {Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {302-313},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jfns.20251306.11},
  abstract = {Dietary diversity refers to the consumption of foods from different groups, which is essential to ensure adequate nutrient intake in children. However, the situation remains critical in Togo, with only 12% of children aged 6 to 23 months being fed according to optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Available data on these children’s diet must therefore be analyzed to better understand the situation and improve their nutrition. This research assesses the dietary diversity of children aged 6 to 23 months in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime regions of Togo, using data from the SMART 2022 survey (Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions). The sample studied included 620 children and 1002 households selected by a two-stage cluster sampling in the regions considered. In terms of Infant and Young Children Feeding (IYCF) practices, the results reveal that approximately 85% of children in the Kara and Savanes regions continue to be breastfed beyond 12 months, compared to 68.2% in the Maritime region. Despite relatively frequent introduction of solid foods, the proportion of children achieving minimum dietary diversity remains low (20%) in all three regions. These results are corroborated by the rates linked to malnutrition indicators observed during the study. It is therefore important to implement sustainable nutritional programs and projects to improve dietary diversity and meet the nutritional needs of children in vulnerable regions in Togo.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo

AU  - Mamy Eklou
AU  - Serge Takou
AU  - Mamatchi Melila
AU  - Kwami Lumo Awaga
AU  - Sabiba Kou’santa Amouzou
Y1  - 2025/11/07
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11
T2  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JF  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JO  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
SP  - 302
EP  - 313
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7293
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11
AB  - Dietary diversity refers to the consumption of foods from different groups, which is essential to ensure adequate nutrient intake in children. However, the situation remains critical in Togo, with only 12% of children aged 6 to 23 months being fed according to optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Available data on these children’s diet must therefore be analyzed to better understand the situation and improve their nutrition. This research assesses the dietary diversity of children aged 6 to 23 months in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime regions of Togo, using data from the SMART 2022 survey (Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions). The sample studied included 620 children and 1002 households selected by a two-stage cluster sampling in the regions considered. In terms of Infant and Young Children Feeding (IYCF) practices, the results reveal that approximately 85% of children in the Kara and Savanes regions continue to be breastfed beyond 12 months, compared to 68.2% in the Maritime region. Despite relatively frequent introduction of solid foods, the proportion of children achieving minimum dietary diversity remains low (20%) in all three regions. These results are corroborated by the rates linked to malnutrition indicators observed during the study. It is therefore important to implement sustainable nutritional programs and projects to improve dietary diversity and meet the nutritional needs of children in vulnerable regions in Togo.

VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Mamy Eklou

Higher School of Biological and Food Technology, University of Lomé, Lomé, Togo

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-9959-2211
Serge Takou

Faculty of Sciences, University of Lome, Lome, Togo

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-3197-9962
Mamatchi Melila

Faculty of Sciences, University of Lome, Lome, Togo

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8789-2643
Kwami Lumo Awaga

Faculty of Sciences, University of Lome, Lome, Togo

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7323-6274
Sabiba Kou’santa Amouzou

Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Kara, Kara, Togo

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-9463-0887

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APA Style

Eklou, M., Takou, S., Melila, M., Awaga, K. L., Amouzou, S. K. (2025). Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 13(6), 302-313. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11

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ACS Style

Eklou, M.; Takou, S.; Melila, M.; Awaga, K. L.; Amouzou, S. K. Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo. J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2025, 13(6), 302-313. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11

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AMA Style

Eklou M, Takou S, Melila M, Awaga KL, Amouzou SK. Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo. J Food Nutr Sci. 2025;13(6):302-313. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11,
  author = {Mamy Eklou and Serge Takou and Mamatchi Melila and Kwami Lumo Awaga and Sabiba Kou’santa Amouzou},
  title = {Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo
},
  journal = {Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {302-313},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jfns.20251306.11},
  abstract = {Dietary diversity refers to the consumption of foods from different groups, which is essential to ensure adequate nutrient intake in children. However, the situation remains critical in Togo, with only 12% of children aged 6 to 23 months being fed according to optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Available data on these children’s diet must therefore be analyzed to better understand the situation and improve their nutrition. This research assesses the dietary diversity of children aged 6 to 23 months in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime regions of Togo, using data from the SMART 2022 survey (Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions). The sample studied included 620 children and 1002 households selected by a two-stage cluster sampling in the regions considered. In terms of Infant and Young Children Feeding (IYCF) practices, the results reveal that approximately 85% of children in the Kara and Savanes regions continue to be breastfed beyond 12 months, compared to 68.2% in the Maritime region. Despite relatively frequent introduction of solid foods, the proportion of children achieving minimum dietary diversity remains low (20%) in all three regions. These results are corroborated by the rates linked to malnutrition indicators observed during the study. It is therefore important to implement sustainable nutritional programs and projects to improve dietary diversity and meet the nutritional needs of children in vulnerable regions in Togo.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Dietary Diversity of Children Between 6 and 23 Months: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime Regions of Togo

AU  - Mamy Eklou
AU  - Serge Takou
AU  - Mamatchi Melila
AU  - Kwami Lumo Awaga
AU  - Sabiba Kou’santa Amouzou
Y1  - 2025/11/07
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11
T2  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JF  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JO  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
SP  - 302
EP  - 313
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7293
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20251306.11
AB  - Dietary diversity refers to the consumption of foods from different groups, which is essential to ensure adequate nutrient intake in children. However, the situation remains critical in Togo, with only 12% of children aged 6 to 23 months being fed according to optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Available data on these children’s diet must therefore be analyzed to better understand the situation and improve their nutrition. This research assesses the dietary diversity of children aged 6 to 23 months in the Savanes, Kara, and Maritime regions of Togo, using data from the SMART 2022 survey (Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions). The sample studied included 620 children and 1002 households selected by a two-stage cluster sampling in the regions considered. In terms of Infant and Young Children Feeding (IYCF) practices, the results reveal that approximately 85% of children in the Kara and Savanes regions continue to be breastfed beyond 12 months, compared to 68.2% in the Maritime region. Despite relatively frequent introduction of solid foods, the proportion of children achieving minimum dietary diversity remains low (20%) in all three regions. These results are corroborated by the rates linked to malnutrition indicators observed during the study. It is therefore important to implement sustainable nutritional programs and projects to improve dietary diversity and meet the nutritional needs of children in vulnerable regions in Togo.

VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download