Effectiveness of Supplemental Feeding Combined with Nutrition Education on Child Nutrition Outcomes in Kenya

Background/Objectives: Nutrition education coupled with supplemental feeding has been shown to be an effective intervention to combat child undernutrition. However, evidence of such interventions remains scarce in pastoralist communities in Kenya despite a high burden of child undernutrition. This study aimed to assess the combined effect of a theory-based nutrition education intervention and consumption of Harvest Lentil Vegetable Blend on feeding practices and the nutritional status of Turkana children in Kenya. Methods: This study was a two-month-long quasi-experimental controlled trial, entailing children aged 6 months to 59 months (n = 318) and their caregivers (n = 284). Children in the intervention group received one daily meal of supplemental food for a total of eight weeks, and their caregivers received a theory-based nutrition education intervention. Linear mixed effects models and generalized estimating equations were employed to assess the combined effect of the interventions. Results: Compared to the control group, children in the intervention group were significantly more likely to consume animal-source foods, meet minimum dietary diversity, and consume more meals at the study endpoint. This study further observed a trend of greater improvement across key indicators of child nutrition status in the intervention group compared to the control group. However, none of the changes in children’s nutrition status were statistically significant. Conclusions: This study adds to the literature by demonstrating that an integrated nutrition intervention that coupled a theory-based nutrition education intervention with a blanket supplemental feeding program was effective in improving child-feeding practices in a resource-restrained, pastoralist community in Kenya.