Understanding the Purchasing and Consumption Dynamics of Commercially Processed Complementary Foods and Caregiver Motivations and Reasons for Purchasing These Foods in Nairobi

Bibliographic Data

ID15535853
AuthorsAntonina Mutoro (0000-0003-1849-4961, African Population and Health Research Center, corresponding author), Maureen Gitagia (African Population and Health Research Center), Charity Zvandaziva (United Nations Children's Fund), Veronica Ojiambo (0009-0000-5201-7574, African Population and Health Research Center), Veronica Sanda Ojiambo (African Population and Health Research Center Nairobi Kenya), Gershim Asiki (0000-0002-9966-1153, African Population and Health Research Center), Elizabeth Kimani‐Murage (0000-0001-5272-616X, African Population and Health Research Center)
Year2025
Volume22
Issue1
Pagese70102-e70102
Publication date2025-09-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.70102
PMID40914887
OpenAlexW4414042191
LanguageEN
References cited21

Commercially processed complementary foods (CPCFs) are consumed in Kenya, but little is known about caregiver perceptions and reasons for their consumption. We explored caregiver perceptions, motivations and reasons for purchasing CPCFs. This cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted in Nairobi among caregivers of children aged 6-23 months. A four-stage sampling strategy was used to select study sites non-slum (Westlands) and slum (Mathare) areas, retail outlets and study participants. Eighty-one caregivers (40 in Mathare, 41 in Westlands) were recruited for the quantitative survey, from this sample 16 participants were recruited for qualitative in-depth interviews. Questions about the place of purchase, types of foods purchased, reasons for purchase, sources of information on infant and young child feeding and CPCFs, and perceptions on health and nutrition claims were asked. Nearly all caregivers (96.3%) reported giving their children CPCFs. Close to half of caregivers offered CPCFs as a snack (46.9%) while 21% offered them as a main meal. CPCFs were perceived to be healthy (73.1%), nutritious (71.8%) and easy to prepare (70.7%) and child preference (55.6%), price (54.3%), taste (51.9%), nutritional quality (55.6%) and food safety (62.9%) were considered important factors when purchasing them. Nutrition and health claims on product packaging were documented, and these appeared to influence caregiver perceptions about CPCFs. Participants perceived CPCFs as good and healthy for children and rich in nutrients essential for growth and development. This is in line with nutrition claims on these products. CPCFs are highly regarded by caregivers and are consumed in slum and non-slum settings in Nairobi. Given that misleading health and nutrition claims are used to market them, CPCFs may negatively impact child health if their marketing and consumption are not regulated

Consumption (sociology · Perception · Preference · Product (mathematics · Purchasing · Qualitative research · Quality (philosophy · Slum · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

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