Protecting child nutrition and fishery ecosystems: A cluster controlled trial in coastal Kenya

Abstract

Globally, food production and food systems can harm ecosystems by depleting resources and creating imbalances in food webs. Over 148 million young children around the world are chronically malnourished, with disproportionate numbers coming from small-scale food producing households. Here we show in a community-based trial in coastal Kenya that child nutrition and the availability of sustainably harvested fish were improved through an integrated strategy. This longitudinal, cluster-designed study compared outcomes across groups: 1) control (n = 200 households, 41 fisher trips); 2) social marketing for behavior change among caregivers and fishers (n = 100 households, 118 fisher trips); and 3) social marketing plus modified fishing gear (traps with gaps for juveniles to escape; n = 100 households, 73 fisher trips). Child growth in stature (height-for-age Z score) was significantly increased in the intervention arms relative to control, supported by findings for increased dietary diversity, child fish consumption, and take-home catch (kg). Fish were significantly longer (cm) in arm 3 (social marketing plus modified traps) relative to arm 2 (social marketing), leading to increased nutrients from fish available for consumption. This study advances public health and fisheries disciplines by demonstrating that human and environmental health may be simultaneously achieved through context-responsive, integrated strategies.