Malnutrition and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood: An African Perspective on Somalia

Malnutrition during early childhood is a significant public health issue in Somalia, affecting cognitive development and long-term outcomes. A mixed-methods approach combining cross-sectional surveys and structured interviews was employed to gather data from urban and rural areas across Somalia. Malnourished children exhibited significantly lower scores in verbal memory tasks compared to their well-nourished peers, with a difference of approximately 15% on average. The findings underscore the critical role of early nutrition interventions in promoting optimal cognitive development among Somali children. Public health initiatives should prioritise nutritional support programmes targeting young children in Somalia, particularly focusing on rural areas where malnutrition prevalence is highest.