Meet Benin’s nutrition ambassador: Sam Bodjrenou

Communities in the sub-Sahara African country of Benin face widespread malnutrition. But Benin-born scientist Dr. Fifali Sam Bodjrenou believes that a better understanding of the country’s food environment can turn this around. His work was recently recognized by the American Society for Nutrition’s 2023 Early Career Award for Outstanding Efforts to Advance Nutrition Science.

According to the latest Demographic Health Survey in Benin (2021), the stunting rate among children under five is about 36.5%. This means that for every 3 children in Benin, at least one is suffering from chronic malnutrition; the prevalence of anemia among children under five was 72% in 2017, and 58% among women.