WHO guiding principles for feeding breastfed and non-breastfed children state that “meat, poultry, fish or eggs should be eaten daily, or as often as possible”. There is evidence that children who consume eggs and flesh foods have higher intakes of various nutrients important for optimal linear growth. Consuming eggs is associated with increased intakes of energy, protein, essential fatty acids, vitamin B12, vitamin D, phosphorus and selenium, and with higher recumbent length. Introduction of meat as an early complementary food for breastfed infants was associated with improved protein and zinc intake. There is also evidence of low prevalence of egg and flesh food intake across many countries.

Percentage of children 6–23 months of age who consumed egg and/or flesh food during the previous day.

Sex of child, place of residence, household wealth

Numerator: children 6–23 months of age who consumed egg and/or flesh food during the previous day. Denominator: children 6–23 months of age. For more information, please consult Indicators for assessing infant and young child feeding practices: definitions and measurement methods. Geneva: World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240018389

Population-weighted average

This indicator is based on consumption of food groups 5 (flesh foods) and 6 (eggs) described in indicator 8 on MDD. Children are counted if either food group has been consumed.

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UNICEF Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring

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