Qualitative exploration of the dynamics of women’s dietary diversity. How much does economic empowerment matter?

Objective: This study qualitatively examined dietary diversity among married women of reproductive age who engaged in two socioeconomic activities to explore the dynamics of food availability, access, costs, and consumption. Design: Qualitative in-depth interviews. The food groups in the MDD-W were used to explore women’s dietary diversity. In-depth interviews were used to develop a roster of daily food consumption over a week. We explored food items that were considered expensive and frequency of consumption, food items that women require permission to consume, and frequency of permission sought and the role of economic empowerment. Data analysis followed an inductive-deductive approach to thematic analysis. Setting: Rural and peri-urban setting in Enugu State, Nigeria. Participants: Thirty-eight married women of reproductive age across two socioeconomic groupings (women who work only at home and those who worked outside their homes) were recruited in April 2019. Results: Economic empowerment improved women’s autonomy in food purchase and consumption. However, limited income restricted women from full autonomy in consumption decisions and access. Consumption of non-staple food items, especially flesh proteins, would benefit from women’s economic empowerment, whereas staple food items would not benefit so much. Dietary diversity is influenced by food production and purchase where factors including seasonal variation in food availability, prices, contextual factors that influence women’s autonomy, and income are important determinants. Conclusion: With limited income, agency and access to household financial resources coupled with norms that restrict women’s income earning, women continues to be at risk to not achieving adequate dietary diversity.