{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,8]],"date-time":"2026-10-08T22:42:23Z","timestamp":1791499343483,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":135,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,28]],"date-time":"2021-12-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1640649600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Nutrients"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Jordan is witnessing an escalating pace of nutrition transition, which may be associated with an increased burden of malnutrition and related non-communicable diseases. This review analyzes the nutrition situation in Jordan by exploring specific nutrition indicators, namely infant and young child feeding, low birthweight, micronutrient deficiencies, anthropometric indicators, and food consumption patterns. Results showed that although most children were ever breastfed and early initiation of breastfeeding had a two-fold increasing trend, rates of exclusive breastfeeding below 6 months of age and continued breastfeeding until two years of age were low. Complementary feeding indicators, particularly minimum diet diversity and minimum acceptable diet standards, were suboptimal. An overall low burden of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children under 5 years and remarkable progress in optimizing iodine status among school-aged children were reported. Conversely, the burden of low birthweight and overweight\/obesity exacerbated, coexisting with anemia, vitamin A deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency. Overall, fruit and vegetable consumption were inadequate. The consumption of soft drinks and salt on the other hand was higher than recommended. This review acknowledges the double burden of malnutrition in Jordan and recommends the prioritization and evaluation of interventions towards improving the population\u2019s nutritional status and achieving nutrition targets.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/nu14010135","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,29]],"date-time":"2021-12-29T02:31:27Z","timestamp":1640745087000},"page":"135","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":30,"title":["Review of the Nutrition Situation in Jordan: Trends and Way Forward"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2072-3674","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Narmeen Jamal","family":"Al-Awwad","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4866-5856","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jennifer","family":"Ayoub","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3729-6031","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rawhieh","family":"Barham","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nutrition Department, Ministry of Health, Amman 11118, Jordan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Wafaa","family":"Sarhan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8627-0391","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Murad","family":"Al-Holy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mahmoud","family":"Abughoush","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan"},{"name":"Science of Nutrition and Dietetics Program, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi 64141, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7017-6499","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Huda","family":"Al-Hourani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7202-5440","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Amin","family":"Olaimat","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7387-8277","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ayoub","family":"Al-Jawaldeh","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, October 02). Malnutrition. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/malnutrition."},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"Global Nutrition Report (2020). 2020 Global Nutrition Report: Action on Equity to End Malnutrition, Development Initiatives. Available online: https:\/\/globalnutritionreport.org\/reports\/2020-global-nutrition-report\/."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.26719\/2018.24.1.77","article-title":"Review of the nutrition situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region","volume":"24","author":"Nasreddine","year":"2018","journal-title":"East. Mediterr. Health J."},{"key":"ref_4","unstructured":"World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (2021, October 03). Strategy on Nutrition for the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2020\u20132030. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Available online: https:\/\/apps.who.int\/iris\/handle\/10665\/330059."},{"key":"ref_5","unstructured":"World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (2021, October 05). Nutrition: Malnutrition. Malnutrition in All Its Forms., Available online: http:\/\/www.emro.who.int\/nutrition\/double-burden-of-nutrition\/index.html."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"308","DOI":"10.1179\/2046905514Y.0000000156","article-title":"Malnutrition and disability: Unexplored opportunities for collaboration","volume":"34","author":"Groce","year":"2014","journal-title":"Paediatr. Int. Child. Health"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"427","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(13)60937-X","article-title":"Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries","volume":"382","author":"Black","year":"2013","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.14390\/jsshp.3.1","article-title":"Nutritional conditions in early life and risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) from the perspective of preemptive medicine in perinatal care","volume":"3","author":"Itoh","year":"2015","journal-title":"Hypertens Res. Pregnancy"},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 27). Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition. Available online: https:\/\/apps.who.int\/iris\/bitstream\/handle\/10665\/113048\/WHO_NMH_NHD_14.1_eng.pdf."},{"key":"ref_10","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, October 01). Obesity and Overweight. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/obesity-and-overweight."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Di Cesare, M., Sori\u0107, M., Bovet, P., Miranda, J.J., Bhutta, Z., Stevens, G.A., Laxmaiah, A., Kengne, A.-P., and Bentham, J. (2019). The epidemiological burden of obesity in childhood: A worldwide epidemic requiring urgent action. BMC Med., 17.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12916-019-1449-8"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"163","DOI":"10.1089\/154099903321576565","article-title":"Overweight and obesity in women: Health risks and consequences","volume":"12","author":"Hu","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Women\u2019s Health"},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"The World Bank (2021, October 05). World Bank Country and Lending Groups. Available online: https:\/\/datahelpdesk.worldbank.org\/knowledgebase\/articles\/906519."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nutres.2018.04.016","article-title":"Nutritional status and dietary intakes of children amid the nutrition transition: The case of the Eastern Mediterranean Region","volume":"57","author":"Nasreddine","year":"2018","journal-title":"Nutr. Res."},{"key":"ref_15","unstructured":"UNICEF (2021, August 07). Infant and Young Child Feeding. Available online: https:\/\/data.unicef.org\/topic\/nutrition\/infant-and-young-child-feeding\/."},{"key":"ref_16","unstructured":"UNICEF (2021, August 10). Malnutrition. Available online: https:\/\/data.unicef.org\/topic\/nutrition\/malnutrition\/."},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"UNICEF (2021, August 10). Malnutrition Data. Available online: https:\/\/data.unicef.org\/resources\/dataset\/malnutrition-data\/."},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, August 17). The Global Health Observatory: Explore a World of Health Data. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/data\/gho\/data\/indicators."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, August 27). Global School-Based Student Health Survey. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/teams\/noncommunicable-diseases\/surveillance\/systems-tools\/global-school-based-student-health-survey."},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, August 15). STEPwise Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS). Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/teams\/noncommunicable-diseases\/surveillance\/systems-tools\/steps."},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2017). Global Nutrition Monitoring Framework: Operational Guidance for Tracking Progress in Meeting targets for 2025, World Health Organization. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO."},{"key":"ref_22","unstructured":"Geneva: World Health Organization and the United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF) (2021, August 10). Indicators for Assessing Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices: Definitions and Measurement Methods. License: CC BYNC-SA 3.0 IGO., Available online: https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/igo."},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"UNICEF (2021, September 17). Low Birthweight. A Good Start in Life Begins in the Womb. Available online: https:\/\/data.unicef.org\/topic\/nutrition\/low-birthweight\/."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group (2006). WHO Child Growth Standards Based on Length\/Height, Weight and Age. Acta Paediatr. Suppl., 450, 76\u201385.","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1651-2227.2006.tb02378.x"},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"UNICEF\/WHO\/The World Bank Group (2021, September 16). UNICEF\/WHO\/The World Bank Group Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates: Levels and Trends in Child Malnutrition: Key Findings of the 2021 Edition. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/i\/item\/9789240025257."},{"key":"ref_26","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, October 04). Haemoglobin Concentrations for the Diagnosis of Anaemia and Assessment of Severity. Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System. Geneva, World Health Organization (WHO\/NMH\/NHD\/MNM\/11.1). Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/vmnis\/indicators\/haemoglobin.pdf."},{"key":"ref_27","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2020). WHO Guideline on Use of Ferritin Concentrations to Assess Iron Status in Individuals and Populations, World Health Organization. Available online: https:\/\/apps.who.int\/iris\/handle\/10665\/331505."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Al-Jawaldeh, A., Taktouk, M., Doggui, R., Abdollahi, Z., Achakzai, B., Aguenaou, H., Al-Halaika, M., Almamary, S., Barham, R., and Coulibaly-Zerbo, F. (2021). Are Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region on Track towards Meeting the World Health Assembly Target for Anemia? A Review of Evidence. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18052449"},{"key":"ref_29","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 25). Serum Retinol Concentrations for Determining the Prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency in Populations. Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System. Geneva, World Health Organization (WHO\/NMH\/NHD\/MNM\/11.3). Available online: http:\/\/www.who.int\/vmnis\/indicators\/retinol.pdf."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1498","DOI":"10.1038\/s41430-020-0558-y","article-title":"Vitamin D deficiency 2.0: An update on the current status worldwide","volume":"74","author":"Amrein","year":"2020","journal-title":"Eur. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_31","unstructured":"Institute of Medicine (2011). Dietary Reference Intake for Calcium and Vitamin D, Institute of Medicine."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gallagher, J.C., and Sai, A.J. (2010). Vitamin D Insufficiency, Deficiency, and Bone Health, Oxford University Press.","DOI":"10.1210\/jc.2010-0918"},{"key":"ref_33","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 21). Urinary Iodine Concentrations for Determining Iodine Status Deficiency in Populations. Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/i\/item\/WHO-NMH-NHD-EPG-13.1."},{"key":"ref_34","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 25). Goitre as a Determinant of the Prevalence and Severity of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Populations. Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System. Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO\/NMH\/NHD\/MNM\/14.5). Available online: http:\/\/apps.who.int\/iris\/bitstream\/handle\/10665\/133706\/WHO_NMH_NHD_EPG_14.5_eng.pdf?sequence=1."},{"key":"ref_35","unstructured":"Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2021, October 04). Defining Childhood Weight Status, Available online: https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/obesity\/childhood\/defining.html."},{"key":"ref_36","unstructured":"Department of Statistics (DOS) and ICF (2019). Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2017\u20132018, DOS and ICF."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"619","DOI":"10.1016\/S2352-4642(21)00163-2","article-title":"Rates and time trends in the consumption of breastmilk, formula, and animal milk by children younger than 2 years from 2000 to 2019: Analysis of 113 countries","volume":"5","author":"Neves","year":"2021","journal-title":"Lancet Child. Adolesc. Health"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1273","DOI":"10.26719\/emhj.20.096","article-title":"Prevalence and risk factors for low birth weight in Jordan and its association with under-five mortality: A population-based analysis","volume":"26","author":"Islam","year":"2020","journal-title":"East. Mediterr. Health J."},{"key":"ref_39","unstructured":"Department of Statistics (DOS) [Jordan] and ICF International (2013). Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2012, Department of Statistics and ICF International."},{"key":"ref_40","unstructured":"Department of Statistics (DOS) [Jordan] and Macro International Inc (2008). Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2007, Department of Statistics and Macro International Inc."},{"key":"ref_41","unstructured":"Department of Statistics (DOS) [Jordan] and ORC Macro (2003). Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2002, Department of Statistics & ORC Macro."},{"key":"ref_42","unstructured":"Department of Statistics (DOS) [Jordan] and Macro International Inc (1998). Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 1997, Department of Statistics & Macro International."},{"key":"ref_43","unstructured":"Department of Statistics (DOS) [Jordan] and IRD\/Macro International (1992). Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 1990, Department of Statistics & IRD\/Macro International."},{"key":"ref_44","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, August 14). Global Health Observatory Data Repository. Child Malnutrition by Country. Available online: https:\/\/apps.who.int\/gho\/data\/node.main.CHILDMALNUTRITION?lang=en."},{"key":"ref_45","unstructured":"FAO (2021, September 18). Food and Nutrition Profile, Jordan. Available online: http:\/\/www.fao.org\/3\/aq039e\/aq039e.pdf."},{"key":"ref_46","unstructured":"Ministry of Health-Jordan, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and United Nation Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF) (2011). National Micronutrient Survey-Jordan 2010, Ministry of Health."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1124","DOI":"10.1038\/ejcn.2014.100","article-title":"Micronutrient status in Jordan: 2002 and 2010","volume":"68","author":"Serdula","year":"2014","journal-title":"Eur. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_48","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, August 18). Global Health Observatory Data Repository. Anaemia in Children <5 Years: Estimates by Country, Available online: https:\/\/apps.who.int\/gho\/data\/view.main.ANEMIACHILDRENv?lang=en."},{"key":"ref_49","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 04). Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System (VMNIS). WHO Global Database on Vitamin A Deficiency. The Vitamin A Deficiency Database Includes Data by Country Based on Xerophthalmia and\/or Serum or Plasma retinol Concentration. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/vmnis\/vitamina\/data\/database\/countries\/jor_vita.pdf."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"90","DOI":"10.1038\/ejcn.2014.142","article-title":"Vitamin D status and associated factors of deficiency among Jordanian children of preschool age","volume":"69","author":"Nichols","year":"2015","journal-title":"Eur. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_51","first-page":"2050312119876151","article-title":"Vitamin D deficiency and associated factors in Jordan","volume":"7","author":"Khader","year":"2019","journal-title":"SAGE Open Med."},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.1159\/000323097","article-title":"Vitamin D status in Jordan: Dress style and gender discrepancies","volume":"58","author":"Batieha","year":"2011","journal-title":"Annu. Nutr. Metab."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"751","DOI":"10.1038\/ejcn.2012.25","article-title":"Vitamin D status and determinants of deficiency among non-pregnant Jordanian women of reproductive age","volume":"66","author":"Nichols","year":"2012","journal-title":"Eur. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_54","unstructured":"WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (2021, September 18). Wheat Flour Fortification in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Available online: https:\/\/apps.who.int\/iris\/handle\/10665\/311730?locale-attribute=fr&."},{"key":"ref_55","unstructured":"Massa\u2019d, H., and Barham, R. (2011). National Survey to Assess Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) among Jordanian Children\u20142010, Jordan Ministry of Health Nutrition Department, World Health Organization Non-Communicable Disease Department."},{"key":"ref_56","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 04). Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System (VMNIS). WHO Global Database on Iodine Deficiency: The Database on Iodine Deficiency Includes Data by Country on Goitre Prevalence and\/or Urinary Iodine Concentration. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/vmnis\/iodine\/data\/database\/countries\/per_idd.pdf."},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zayed, A.A., Beano, A.M., Haddadin, F.I., Radwan, S.S., Allauzy, S.A., Alkhayyat, M.M., Al-Dahabrah, Z.A., Al-Hasan, Y.G., and Yousef, A.-M.F. (2016). Prevalence of short stature, underweight, overweight, and obesity among school children in Jordan. BMC Public Health, 16.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-016-3687-4"},{"key":"ref_58","unstructured":"Al Qaseer, B.M., Batarseh, S., and Asaad, A. (2007). Global School-Based Student Health Survey, MoH Jordan, CDC and WHO. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/ncds\/surveillance\/gshs\/GSHS_Country_Report_Jordan_2007.pdf."},{"key":"ref_59","unstructured":"Al Qaseer, B.M., Al Jawhari, N.M., and Kharabsheh, S.H. (2004). Global School-Based Student Health Survey, MoH Jordan, CDC and WHO. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/ncds\/surveillance\/gshs\/final%20copy%20of%20GSHS%20Country%20Report%20of%20Jordan.pdf."},{"key":"ref_60","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, August 14). The Global Health Observatory: Explore a World of Health Data. Prevalence of Overweight among Children and Adolescents, BMI > +1 Standard Deviations above the Median (Crude Estimate) (%). Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/data\/gho\/data\/indicators\/indicator-details\/GHO\/prevalence-of-overweight-among-children-and-adolescents-bmi-1-standard-deviations-above-the-median-(crude-estimate)-(-)."},{"key":"ref_61","unstructured":"MOH (2021, August 15). Jordan National Stepwise Survey (STEPs) for Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors 2019. The Ministry of Health, Jordan, WHO. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/m\/item\/2019-steps-country-report-jordan."},{"key":"ref_62","unstructured":"MOH (2021, August 18). Jordan National Stepwise Survey (STEPs) for Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors 2004. The Ministry of Health, Jordan, WHO. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/m\/item\/2004-steps-country-report-jordan."},{"key":"ref_63","unstructured":"MOH (2021, August 21). Jordan National Stepwise Survey (STEPs) for Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors 2007. The Ministry of Health, Jordan, WHO. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/m\/item\/2007-steps-country-report-jordan."},{"key":"ref_64","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, August 17). Growth Reference Data for 5\u201319 Years. Indicators: BMI-for-Age (5\u201319 Years). Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/toolkits\/growth-reference-data-for-5to19-years\/indicators\/bmi-for-age."},{"key":"ref_65","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, August 25). The Global Health Observatory: Explore a World of Health Data. Prevalence of Anaemia in Children Aged 6\u201359 Months (%). Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/data\/gho\/data\/indicators\/indicator-details\/GHO\/prevalence-of-anaemia-in-children-under-5-years-(-)."},{"key":"ref_66","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hasan, M.M., Ahmed, S., Magalhaes, R.J.S., Fatima, Y., Biswas, T., and Mamun, A.A. (2021). Double burden of malnutrition among women of reproductive age in 55 low-and middle-income countries: Progress achieved and opportunities for meeting the global target. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr.","DOI":"10.1038\/s41430-021-00945-y"},{"key":"ref_67","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, October 04). Jordan STEPS Survey 2007 Fact Sheet. Available online: https:\/\/cdn.who.int\/media\/docs\/default-source\/ncds\/ncd-surveillance\/data-reporting\/jordan\/steps\/2007-fact-sheet-jordan.pdf?sfvrsn=df1a70ea_2&download=true."},{"key":"ref_68","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, October 22). Policy-Nutrition in Jordan Update and Plan of Action. Available online: https:\/\/extranet.who.int\/nutrition\/gina\/en\/node\/23541."},{"key":"ref_69","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2018). Implementation Guidance: Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding in Facilities Providing Maternity and Newborn Services-the Revised Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, World Health Organization. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO."},{"key":"ref_70","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"60","DOI":"10.32677\/IJCH.2021.v08.i02.001","article-title":"Satisfaction with code implementation and Baby-friendly practices in the Eastern Mediterranean region: Health professional perspectives from 15 countries","volume":"8","author":"Farghaly","year":"2021","journal-title":"Indian J. Child. Health"},{"key":"ref_71","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.32677\/IJCH.2021.v08.i01.003","article-title":"Enacting the Code by effective national laws influence trends in exclusive breastfeeding: An analytical study from the Eastern Mediterranean Region","volume":"8","author":"Farghaly","year":"2021","journal-title":"Indian J. Child. Health"},{"key":"ref_72","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Al-Jawaldeh, A., and Abul-Fadl, A. (2018). Assessment of the baby friendly hospital initiative implementation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Children, 5.","DOI":"10.3390\/children5030041"},{"key":"ref_73","unstructured":"World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (2021, October 05). Nutrition: Publications. Success Stories. Available online: http:\/\/www.emro.who.int\/nutrition\/resources\/success-stories.html."},{"key":"ref_74","first-page":"25","article-title":"Trends in Infant Feeding in Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region 1995 to 2020: Time for action","volume":"17","year":"2020","journal-title":"MCFC-EJB"},{"key":"ref_75","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9860","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(12)61609-2","article-title":"Early-life prevention of non-communicable diseases","volume":"381","author":"Balbus","year":"2013","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref_76","first-page":"17","article-title":"Adverse effects of nutritional programming during prenatal and early postnatal life, some aspects of regulation and potential prevention and treatments","volume":"60","author":"Guilloteau","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Physiol. Pharmacol."},{"key":"ref_77","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e13097","DOI":"10.1111\/mcn.13097","article-title":"First-food systems transformations and the ultra-processing of infant and young child diets: The determinants, dynamics and consequences of the global rise in commercial milk formula consumption","volume":"17","author":"Baker","year":"2021","journal-title":"Matern. Child. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_78","unstructured":"UNICEF (2021, September 12). United Nations Children\u2019s Fund, Division of Data Research and Policy. Global UNICEF Global Databases: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Area Graphs, New York. Infant Feeding Practices. Available online: https:\/\/data.unicef.org\/topic\/nutrition\/infant-and-young-child-feeding\/."},{"key":"ref_79","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e12957","DOI":"10.1111\/mcn.12957","article-title":"Vulnerable mothers\u2019 experiences breastfeeding with an enhanced community lactation support program","volume":"16","author":"Francis","year":"2020","journal-title":"Matern. Child Nutr."},{"key":"ref_80","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"76","DOI":"10.1186\/s13006-020-00320-w","article-title":"Psychosocial barriers and enablers of exclusive breastfeeding: Lived experiences of mothers in low-income townships, North West Province, South Africa","volume":"15","author":"Witten","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. Breastfeed. J."},{"key":"ref_81","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e13223","DOI":"10.1111\/mcn.13223","article-title":"Predictors of complementary feeding practices among children aged 6\u201323 months in five countries in the Middle East and North Africa region","volume":"17","author":"Akik","year":"2021","journal-title":"Matern. Child. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_82","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4345","DOI":"10.1590\/1413-812320182411.29312017","article-title":"Breastfeeding is associated with children\u2019s dietary diversity in Brazil","volume":"24","author":"Bortolini","year":"2019","journal-title":"Ci\u00eanc Sa\u00fade Coletiva"},{"key":"ref_83","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"De Cosmi, V., Scaglioni, S., and Agostoni, C. (2017). Early taste experiences and later food choices. Nutrients, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu9020107"},{"key":"ref_84","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bimpong, K.A., Cheyuo, E.K.-E., Abdul-Mumin, A., Ayanore, M.A., Kubuga, C.K., and Mogre, V. (2020). Mothers\u2019 knowledge and attitudes regarding child feeding recommendations, complementary feeding practices and determinants of adequate diet. BMC Nutr., 6.","DOI":"10.1186\/s40795-020-00393-0"},{"key":"ref_85","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kostecka, M., Jackowska, I., and Kostecka, J. (2021). Factors Affecting Complementary Feeding of Infants. A Pilot Study Conducted after the Introduction of New Infant Feeding Guidelines in Poland. Nutrients, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu13010061"},{"key":"ref_86","unstructured":"UNICEF (2021, September 16). Improving Young Children\u2019s Diets during the Complementary Feeding Period. UNICEF Programming Guidance. New York: UNICEF. Available online: https:\/\/www.unicef.org\/media\/93981\/file\/Complementary-Feeding-Guidance-2020.pdf."},{"key":"ref_87","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e01865","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2019.e01865","article-title":"Magnitude and determinants of complementary feeding practices in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"5","author":"Abdurahman","year":"2019","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"ref_88","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dhami, M.V., Ogbo, F.A., Osuagwu, U.L., and Agho, K.E. (2019). Prevalence and factors associated with complementary feeding practices among children aged 6\u201323 months in India: A regional analysis. BMC Public Health, 19.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-019-7360-6"},{"key":"ref_89","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"655","DOI":"10.1017\/S1368980017002956","article-title":"Systematic review of infant and young child complementary feeding practices in South Asian families: The Pakistan perspective","volume":"21","author":"Manikam","year":"2018","journal-title":"Public Health Nutr."},{"key":"ref_90","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"61","DOI":"10.1159\/000444609","article-title":"Determinants of child malnutrition and infant and young child feeding approaches in Cambodia","volume":"115","author":"Reinbott","year":"2016","journal-title":"Hidden Hunger"},{"key":"ref_91","first-page":"1","article-title":"Traditional practices adopted by Jordanian mothers when caring for their infants in rural areas","volume":"14","year":"2017","journal-title":"Afr. J. Tradit. Complement. Altern. Med."},{"key":"ref_92","unstructured":"United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) (2019). UNICEF-WHO Low Birthweight Estimates: Levels and Trends 2000\u20132015, World Health Organization. Available online: https:\/\/www.unicef.org\/reports\/UNICEF-WHO-low-birthweight-estimates-2019."},{"key":"ref_93","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e849","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(18)30565-5","article-title":"National, regional, and worldwide estimates of low birthweight in 2015, with trends from 2000: A systematic analysis","volume":"7","author":"Blencowe","year":"2019","journal-title":"Lancet Glob. Health"},{"key":"ref_94","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 16). Nutrition Landscape Information System (NLIS): Country Profile Indicators Interpretation Guide. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/nutrition\/nlis_interpretation_guide.pdf."},{"key":"ref_95","unstructured":"UNICEF (2021, September 17). Jordan: Health and Nutrition. Healthy Growth and Development for Every Child. Available online: https:\/\/www.unicef.org\/jordan\/health-and-nutrition."},{"key":"ref_96","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 17). The Global Health Observatory: Explore a World of Health Data. Underweight Prevalence among Children under 5 Years of Age (%) (JME). Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/data\/gho\/data\/indicators\/indicator-details\/GHO\/gho-jme-underweight-prevalence."},{"key":"ref_97","unstructured":"The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan High Health Council (2021, December 20). The National Strategy for Health Sector in Jordan 2016\u20132020. Available online: https:\/\/extranet.who.int\/countryplanningcycles\/sites\/default\/files\/planning_cycle_repository\/jordan\/national_strategy_for_health_sector_2016-2020_jordan.pdf."},{"key":"ref_98","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"777S","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/nqaa159","article-title":"Stunting in childhood: An overview of global burden, trends, determinants, and drivers of decline","volume":"112","author":"Vaivada","year":"2020","journal-title":"Am. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_99","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6728497","DOI":"10.1155\/2021\/6728497","article-title":"Undernutrition and Associated Factors among Under-Five Orphan Children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study","volume":"2021","author":"Sewnet","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Nutr. Metab."},{"key":"ref_100","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2018). Reducing Stunting in Children: Equity Considerations for Achieving the Global Nutrition Targets 2025, World Health Organization. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO."},{"key":"ref_101","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Benavides, J.A., Valderrama, W., Recuenco, S., Uieda, W., Suz\u00e1n, G., Avila-Flores, R., Velasco-Villa, A., Almeida, M., de Andrade, F.A., and Molina-Flores, B. (2020). Defining new pathways to manage the ongoing emergence of bat rabies in Latin America. Viruses, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/v12091002"},{"key":"ref_102","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"543","DOI":"10.26719\/emhj.18.074","article-title":"Prevalence and risk factors of anaemia among ever-married women in Jordan","volume":"25","author":"Arabyat","year":"2019","journal-title":"East. Mediterr. Health J."},{"key":"ref_103","unstructured":"Hausmann, R., O\u2019Brien, T., Santos, M.A., Grisanti, A., Kasoolu, S., Taniparti, N., Tapia, J.A., and Villasmil, R. (2019). Jordan: The elements of a growth strategy. CID Work. Pap. Ser."},{"key":"ref_104","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1053","DOI":"10.1002\/ccr3.707","article-title":"Iron deficiency anemia due to excessive green tea drinking","volume":"4","author":"Fan","year":"2016","journal-title":"Clin. Case Rep."},{"key":"ref_105","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"625","DOI":"10.1097\/MCO.0b013e32834be6fd","article-title":"Iron deficiency in women: Assessment, causes and consequences","volume":"14","author":"Coad","year":"2011","journal-title":"Curr. Opin. Clin. Nutr. Metab. Care"},{"key":"ref_106","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ma, Q., Zhang, S., Liu, J., Wang, Q., Shen, H., Zhang, Y., and Liu, M. (2017). Study on the prevalence of severe anemia among non-pregnant women of reproductive age in rural China: A large population-based cross-sectional study. Nutrients, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu9121298"},{"key":"ref_107","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, August 20). Nutrition Landscape Information System (NLiS). Nutrition and Nutrition-Related Health and Development Data. Vitamin A Deficiency. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/data\/nutrition\/nlis\/info\/vitamin-a-deficiency."},{"key":"ref_108","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Boxberger, K., and Reimers, A.K. (2019). Parental correlates of outdoor play in boys and girls aged 0 to 12\u2014A systematic review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph16020190"},{"key":"ref_109","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1799","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2010.02.010","article-title":"Are children and adolescents less active if parents restrict their physical activity and active transport due to perceived risk?","volume":"70","author":"Carver","year":"2010","journal-title":"Soc. Sci. Med."},{"key":"ref_110","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 20). Global Health Observatory Data Repository: Prevalence of Overweight among Adults, BMI \u2265 25, Crude Estimates by WHO Region. Available online: https:\/\/apps.who.int\/gho\/data\/view.main.BMI25CREGv."},{"key":"ref_111","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 22). Global Health Observatory Data Repository: Prevalence of Obesity among Adults, BMI \u2265 30, Age-Standardized Estimates by WHO Region. Available online: https:\/\/apps.who.int\/gho\/data\/view.main.REGION2480A?lang=en."},{"key":"ref_112","first-page":"74","article-title":"Gender and socio-economic differences in BMI of secondary high school students in Ho Chi Minh city","volume":"16","author":"Tang","year":"2007","journal-title":"Asia Pac. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_113","first-page":"91","article-title":"Prevalence of obesity among Jordanian school-aged adolescents in greater Amman","volume":"33","author":"Hamad","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Health Med. Nurs."},{"key":"ref_114","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"436762","DOI":"10.1155\/2012\/436762","article-title":"Change in nutrition and lifestyle in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Health impact","volume":"2012","author":"Musaiger","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Nutr. Metab."},{"key":"ref_115","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e704","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(16)30168-1","article-title":"Health in times of uncertainty in the eastern Mediterranean region, 1990\u20132013: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013","volume":"4","author":"Mokdad","year":"2016","journal-title":"Lancet Glob. Health"},{"key":"ref_116","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"199","DOI":"10.2147\/IJGM.S29663","article-title":"Prevalence and risk factors associated with nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region","volume":"5","author":"Musaiger","year":"2012","journal-title":"Int. J. Gen. Med."},{"key":"ref_117","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"407237","DOI":"10.1155\/2011\/407237","article-title":"Overweight and obesity in Eastern Mediterranean Region: Prevalence and possible causes","volume":"2011","author":"Musaiger","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Obes."},{"key":"ref_118","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e2020040","DOI":"10.4178\/epih.e2020040","article-title":"An alarmingly high and increasing prevalence of obesity in Jordan","volume":"42","author":"Ajlouni","year":"2020","journal-title":"Epidemiol. Health"},{"key":"ref_119","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1014","DOI":"10.26719\/2013.19.12.1014","article-title":"Overweight and obesity among Jordanian women and their social determinants","volume":"19","author":"Naffa","year":"2013","journal-title":"East Mediterr. Health J."},{"key":"ref_120","unstructured":"World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (2021, December 21). Promoting Physical Activity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region through a Life-course Approach. Available online: https:\/\/applications.emro.who.int\/dsaf\/EMROPUB_2014_EN_1603.pdf?ua=1."},{"key":"ref_121","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nasreddine, L., Naja, F., Chamieh, M.C., Adra, N., Sibai, A.-M., and Hwalla, N. (2012). Trends in overweight and obesity in Lebanon: Evidence from two national cross-sectional surveys (1997 and 2009). BMC Public Health, 12.","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2458-12-798"},{"key":"ref_122","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Prospective Studies Collaboration (2009). Body-mass index and cause-specific mortality in 900 000 adults: Collaborative analyses of 57 prospective studies. Lancet, 373, 1083\u20131096.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(09)60318-4"},{"key":"ref_123","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, December 22). The Global Burden of Disease: 2004 Update. Available online: https:\/\/apps.who.int\/iris\/handle\/10665\/43942."},{"key":"ref_124","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2021, September 25). Healthy Diet. Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/healthy-diet."},{"key":"ref_125","unstructured":"U.S (2021, September 25). Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020\u20132025. 9th Edition, Available online: https:\/\/www.dietaryguidelines.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2020-12\/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf."},{"key":"ref_126","first-page":"67","article-title":"Eating habits, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors of Jordanian adolescents\u2019 residents of Amman","volume":"7","author":"Tayyem","year":"2014","journal-title":"Med. J. Nutr. Metab."},{"key":"ref_127","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"538","DOI":"10.1177\/1054773816646308","article-title":"Eating habits and associated factors among adolescent students in Jordan","volume":"26","author":"Dalky","year":"2017","journal-title":"Clin. Nurs. Res."},{"key":"ref_128","first-page":"19","article-title":"Unhealthy eating habits among adolescent waterpipe smokers in Jordan: The Irbid-TRY study","volume":"16","author":"Alomari","year":"2018","journal-title":"Tob. Induc. Dis."},{"key":"ref_129","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Al-Jawaldeh, A., Taktouk, M., and Nasreddine, L. (2020). Food consumption patterns and nutrient intakes of children and adolescents in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A call for policy action. Nutrients, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu12113345"},{"key":"ref_130","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Akseer, N., Mehta, S., Wigle, J., Chera, R., Brickman, Z., Al-Gashm, S., Sorichetti, B., Vandermorris, A., Hipgrave, D., and Schwalbe, N. (2020). Non-communicable diseases among adolescents: Current status, determinants, interventions and policies. BMC Public Health, 20.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-020-09988-5"},{"key":"ref_131","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.1177\/1025382307088092","article-title":"The nutrition transition in Jordan: The political, economic and food consumption contexts","volume":"15","author":"Madanat","year":"2008","journal-title":"Promot. Educ."},{"key":"ref_132","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2017). National Implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, WHO. License CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO."},{"key":"ref_133","first-page":"13702","article-title":"Effect of paternal education about complementary feeding of infants in Kisumu County, Kenya","volume":"18","author":"Dinga","year":"2018","journal-title":"Afr. J. Food Agric. Nutr. Dev."},{"key":"ref_134","unstructured":"Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) (2021, December 21). Policy Support and Governance Gateway. Available online: https:\/\/www.fao.org\/policy-support\/policy-themes\/nutrition-food-systems\/en\/."},{"key":"ref_135","unstructured":"United Nations Jordan (2021, October 22). Policy Brief Healthy Diets for All in Jordan. Available online: https:\/\/jordan.un.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2021-09\/Policy%20Brief%20Healthy%20Diet%20for%20all%20in%20Jordan_2.pdf."}],"container-title":["Nutrients"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/14\/1\/135\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T07:55:04Z","timestamp":1760169304000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/14\/1\/135"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,28]]},"references-count":135,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,1]]}},"alternative-id":["nu14010135"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu14010135","relation":{},"ISSN":["2072-6643"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2072-6643","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,28]]}}}