Measuring stunting and tracking trends in prevalence in South Africa: Conceptual and methodological considerations
1
School of Economics and Finance, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
2
DG Murray Trust, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2347
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Stunting (low height-for-age) is a useful marker of poor child growth and development, and is associated with long-term consequences for cognitive development, health, and adult earnings. However, measuring growth faltering is conceptually and methodologically challenging. South African nationally representative surveys have produced a wide range of estimates of stunting prevalence among children under 5, complicating the tracking of trends over time.
METHODS:
The paper examines the difficulties associated with measuring stunting and factors that may contribute to variation in stunting estimates. It combines a narrative review of possible reasons for differences in estimated stunting prevalence with a desk review and comparative methodological analysis of six recent South African surveys measuring stunting, examining differences in survey methodologies, sample characteristics, and data collection practices.
RESULTS:
The review reveals significant methodological and sampling differences between recent South African anthropometric surveys. There are also indications of possible data quality issues in some surveys.
CONCLUSIONS:
These issues limit the comparability of stunting estimates across surveys and over time, making it difficult to track trends in stunting prevalence. The paper concludes with recommendations to improve stunting measurement to allow better monitoring of progress.
Stunting (low height-for-age) is a useful marker of poor child growth and development, and is associated with long-term consequences for cognitive development, health, and adult earnings. However, measuring growth faltering is conceptually and methodologically challenging. South African nationally representative surveys have produced a wide range of estimates of stunting prevalence among children under 5, complicating the tracking of trends over time.
METHODS:
The paper examines the difficulties associated with measuring stunting and factors that may contribute to variation in stunting estimates. It combines a narrative review of possible reasons for differences in estimated stunting prevalence with a desk review and comparative methodological analysis of six recent South African surveys measuring stunting, examining differences in survey methodologies, sample characteristics, and data collection practices.
RESULTS:
The review reveals significant methodological and sampling differences between recent South African anthropometric surveys. There are also indications of possible data quality issues in some surveys.
CONCLUSIONS:
These issues limit the comparability of stunting estimates across surveys and over time, making it difficult to track trends in stunting prevalence. The paper concludes with recommendations to improve stunting measurement to allow better monitoring of progress.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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