Creation of Sufficient Supplemental Food Using Local Staple Foods in the Southwest Region of Cameroon for Infants 6–24 Months

Adequate complementary feeding during the period of 6–24 months is essential for optimal growth, development, and prevention of malnutrition among infants and young children. In many communities of the Southwest Region of Cameroon, limited household income, inadequate knowledge of complementary feeding, and dependence on locally available staple foods may affect the nutritional quality and diversity of infant diets. This study focuses on the creation of sufficient supplemental foods using locally available staple foods in the Southwest Region of Cameroon for infants aged 6–24 months. Selected local food materials were identified based on their availability, affordability, nutritional value, cultural acceptability, and suitability for infant feeding. The foods were processed and formulated into complementary food blends designed to provide energy, protein, essential micronutrients, and other nutrients required during early childhood. The formulated products were assessed for proximate nutritional composition, including moisture, protein, fat, ash, fibre, and carbohydrate contents, as well as sensory acceptability and suitability for infant consumption. The study is expected to demonstrate that locally sourced foods can be combined and processed to produce nutritionally adequate, affordable, and culturally acceptable supplemental foods. Such formulations could reduce dependence on expensive commercial complementary foods, improve dietary diversity, and contribute to the prevention of protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among infants and young children. The findings may provide useful evidence for households, nutrition programmes, health workers, and policymakers seeking sustainable approaches to improve complementary feeding practices in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.