Developing an Original Framework for Understanding the Developmental Consequences of Food Insecurity in Nigerian Early Childhood Settings

Food insecurity in early childhood has far-reaching developmental consequences across cognitive, social-emotional, and physical domains, and developing an original theoretical framework that situates these consequences within Nigerian food system, cultural, and policy contexts provides an important contribution to both developmental science and food security policy in Nigeria. This study developed an original Developmental Consequences of Food Insecurity Framework for Nigerian Early Childhood, drawing on developmental science, food system theory, and empirical research across high food insecurity zones. A constructive theoretical and empirical methodology was employed. Systematic review of 68 food insecurity and child development publications from 2018 to 2024 confirmed that existing frameworks inadequately account for the interaction between seasonal food insecurity cycles and developmental sensitive periods specific to Nigerian agricultural contexts, the moderating role of extended family food sharing networks, cultural feeding practices as resilience or risk factors, and the maternal mental health pathway in food-insecure Nigerian households. Empirical research comprising a longitudinal assessment of 480 children in food-insecure communities in Jigawa (NW) and Benue (NC) States over 18 months provided grounding data. Structural equation modelling estimated five theoretical pathways. Dietary diversity restriction was the most developmentally sensitive pathway (beta = -0.44, p < 0.001). Extended family food sharing significantly buffered developmental impacts. The original framework proposes seven interconnected consequence pathways with cultural moderators at each stage. Expert review by 22 specialists confirmed the framework's original contribution. Recommendations include food security-ECD integrated programming in Jigawa and Benue States. Keywords: food insecurity, early childhood development, Nigeria, developmental framework, original contribution