Early childhood exposure to commercial snack foods and sugar-sweetened beverages and implications for appropriate complementary feeding in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Commercially produced snack foods and sugar-sweetened beverages are typically energy-dense and nutrient-poor and may displace more nutrient-dense foods during the complementary feeding period. Their growing availability reflects broader dietary shifts associated with nutrition transition in many low- and middle-income countries. Objective This study assessed commercial snack food and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and examined their implications for appropriate complementary feeding among infants and young children aged 6–24 months in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 500 mother–child dyads recruited from primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities in Ibadan. Data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, including a 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire. Appropriate complementary feeding practices were assessed using the WHO (2021) Infant and Young Child Feeding indicators, particularly, timely introduction of complementary foods, achieving minimum acceptable diet and non-consumption of unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression at α < 0.05. Results Overall, 52.8% of children consumed at least one commercial snack food and 21.4% consumed a sugar-sweetened beverage during the previous day, while 81.0% and 62.6%, respectively, had consumed them during the previous week. Most mothers introduced snacks (87.7%) and beverages (86.0%) between 6 and 12 months, with 46.9% and 12.8% providing them daily. Although 72.2% initiated complementary feeding at six months and 29.6% met the minimum acceptable diet, only 2.6% of children met the criteria for appropriate complementary feeding when unhealthy food and sweet beverage consumption were considered. Snack and/or sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was significantly higher among children aged 12–24 months (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI: 1.02–4.42), children whose mothers were aged 20–29 years (AOR = 2.65; 95% CI: 1.95–6.63), had secondary education (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.15–8.45), and belonged to middle socioeconomic households (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.66–4.25). Conclusion and recommendations The low proportion of appropriate complementary feeding highlights the growing influence of unhealthy snack foods and sugar-sweetened beverages in early childhood diets. Strengthened regulatory actions on marketing and availability of such products, clearer national guidance on age-appropriate snacks, and targeted caregiver nutrition education are needed to strengthen optimal complementary feeding practices.