Effect of Food–Based Intervention on the Linear Growth and Psycho-Cognitive Development of Malnourished Children Aged 6-59 Months in Kanam Communities of Plateau State

Malnutrition remains a significant public health concern globally, particularly among children in low-resource settings. This community based cross-sectional investigation aimed to assess the impact of food-based intervention on linear growth and psycho-cognitive development of malnourished children within selected communities in Kanam Local Government area (LGA), Plateau state. A mixed method approach that employed multistage cluster sampling technique to select participants, malnourished children aged 6 to 59 months residing in the targeted communities. Baseline survey was employed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition by application of anthropometric measurements, height/length, weight and mid-upper arm conference to assess nutritional status after screening. The trial had total enrolment of (n = 95) malnourished children selected from four clusters for intervention and a control group. A typical affordable daily dietary supplement formulated from millet, soybeans, sesame seeds at the ratios of 6:2:1, while Cray fish, orange flesh sweet potatoes, dried moringa leaves and baobab fruit pulp were supplemented at the ratio 2:1:1:1 using 15% proportions blends following standard procedures with increase macro and micronutrients content in addition to their normal diet, and counselling on optimal feeding practices. Baseline data and mid-term intervention outcome on anthropometric measurement and psycho-cognitive development questions were posed to mothers and caregivers, along with physical activities conducted with children to evaluate the developmental outcomes after three months. Statistical techniques including descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze quantitative and qualitative data. The findings revealed high baseline prevalence of malnutrition, 83.39% of the population is underweight and malnourished, while only 16.61% has healthy weight, indicating a critical need for targeted intervention. The variance analysis in the linear growth and t-test on psycho-cognitive development highlight a significant difference (