Optimal consumption of traditional green leafy vegetables among young children aged 2–6 years in South Africa: a scoping review

One major global public health concern is the incidence of micronutrient deficiencies in young children, which significantly impacts populations in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Traditional Green Leafy Vegetables (TGLVs) are an essential component of regular diets in many cultures around the world. It has been part of the food system for decades and its consumption has been associated with numerous health benefits and bioactive compounds. To map the available evidence on the consumption, nutritional benefits, cultural significance, or potential challenges towards the consumption of traditional green leafy vegetables in the diets of young children aged 2–6 years. A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify relevant literature tailored to PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CAB Abstracts and other sources. The selection criteria were based on the Arksey and O’Malley framework and guided by PRISMA with extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The search was mainly focused in South Africa (296 articles). After removing 139 duplicates, a total of 157 research articles were screened. In the data extraction phase, 36 articles were selected. The review revealed that TGLV consumption among young children in South Africa varies considerably by region, socioeconomic status with urban versus rural settings. Sample sizes ranged from 30 to 1530 participants which includes young children, caregivers and household heads. The review findings provide a foundation for developing contextually appropriate, evidence-informed recommendations to optimise TGLV consumption among young South African children, which may provide a long-term solution to ongoing nutritional challenges while preserving cultural food identities.