scholarly journals Dietary diversity and its correlates among pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana

Author(s):  
LINDA AFRIYIE GYIMAH ◽  
REGINALD A ANNAN ◽  
CHARLES APPREY ◽  
ANTHONY K EDUSEI ◽  
LINDA ESI ADUKU ◽  
...  

Introduction Dietary diversity, a qualitative measure of dietary intake, which reflects the variety of foods consumed has been recommended to assuage nutritional problems related to insufficient micronutrients and food insecurity. To better understand the underlying factors for poor birth outcomes in Ghana, we assessed factors associated with dietary diversity among rural and urban pregnant adolescents in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Methods As part of a larger longitudinal cohort of 416 pregnant adolescents, the FAO womens dietary diversity index was used to determine dietary diversity score (DDS) of the participants from a 3-day repeated 24-hour dietary recall data. The household hunger scale (HHS) and lived poverty index (LPI) were used to determine hunger and socioeconomic status. Eating behavior and socio-demographic data were gathered using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results The mean DDS for participants was 4.3 but 59.7% of participants were below the minimum DD. More rural (67.1%) than urban dwellers (53.9%) had inadequate DDS (p=0.008). Urban dwelling adolescents recorded higher odds for adequate DD (OR=1.8 CI =1.0-2.8, p=0.034) compared to the rural respondents. Other factors associated with higher odds for adequate DD are income (OR=12.1, p = 0.043, 95%CI= 1.1-136.8), moderate (OR=2.1, p = 0.019, 95%CI=1.1-3.8) and high LPI (OR=2.2, p=0.007, 95%CI=1.2-3.9), practicing food aversion (OR=1.6, p = 0.046, 95%CI= 1.0-2.4), and pica (OR 1.6, p =0.043, 95%CI= 1.0-2.5). Conclusions Low DD is common among pregnant adolescents in this study and associated with poverty, food insecurity, rural living, pica practice, and food aversions. Livelihood support for pregnant teenagers and nutrition education are recommended interventions to improve dietary quality and limit the consequences of poor dietary diversity.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247979
Author(s):  
Linda Afriyie Gyimah ◽  
Reginald Adjetey Annan ◽  
Charles Apprey ◽  
Anthony Edusei ◽  
Linda Nana Esi Aduku ◽  
...  

Background Dietary diversity, a qualitative measure of dietary intake, which reflects the variety of foods consumed has been recommended to assuage nutritional problems related to insufficient micronutrients, and food insecurity. To better understand the underlying factors for poor birth outcomes in Ghana, we assessed factors associated with dietary diversity among rural and urban pregnant adolescents in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Methods As part of a larger longitudinal cohort of 416 pregnant adolescents, the FAO minimum dietary diversity for women index was used to determine the dietary diversity score (DDS) of the participants from a previous days’ 24-hour dietary recall data. The household hunger scale (HHS) and lived poverty index (LPI) were used to determine hunger and socioeconomic status. Eating behavior and socio-demographic data were gathered using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results The mean age of the participants was 17.5 (±1.4) years with an MDD-W of 4.4 and 56% recording inadequate MDD score. More rural (63.6%) than urban dwellers (50.6%) had inadequate DDS (p = 0.008). Among all the multiple variables tests of associations on dietary diversity, only hunger status (p = 0.028) and both food aversion and poverty status (p = 0.003) had a significant effect on the adolescents’ dietary diversity. Rural dwelling adolescents (AOR = 1.7, p = 0.035, 95% CI = 1.0–2.6) recorded higher odds for inadequate DD compared with the urban respondents. Pregnant adolescents with severe hunger had higher odds (Unadjusted OR = 1.9, p = 0.053, 95% CI 1.1–3.8) for inadequate dietary diversity compared with those with no hunger. Conclusions Inadequate DD is common among pregnant adolescents in this study and is associated with rural living, food insecurity, poverty, and food craving. Livelihood support for pregnant teenagers and nutrition education are recommended interventions to improve dietary quality and limit the consequences of poor dietary diversity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 164-164
Author(s):  
Ana Moyeda Carabaza ◽  
Mary Murimi ◽  
Alemneh Kabeta Daba ◽  
Jessie Vipham

Abstract Objectives To determine complementary feeding practices (CFP) among 6-to-23-month-old children and to identify associations between maternal and household characteristics with CFP. Methods Cross-sectional study conducted among rural communities located within the Sidama and Oromia regions in Ethiopia. Pairs of mothers and their children (N = 190) were randomly selected to participate in the survey. Data was collected using the WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding indicators, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, and Knowledge on CFP. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze factors associated with CFP. Results Most (87.4%) of the children achieved minimum meal frequency, while only 27.4% achieved minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and 26.8% minimum acceptable diet (MAD). Majority (80%) of the households were food insecure, with 40% of the households reporting severe food insecurity. Half (50.0%) of participating mothers showed poor levels of knowledge on CFP. Children of employed mothers were more likely to meet MDD (P = .014) and achieve MAD (P = .034). Furthermore, children of mothers that had adequate knowledge on the recommended CFP were more likely to achieve MDD (P < .001) and MAD (P < .001). In contrast, children living in households with an estimated annual income lower than $254 dollars were less likely to achieve MDD (P < .05) and MAD (P < .05). Similarly, children living in households with moderate to severe levels of food insecurity were less likely to achieve MDD (P = .003 and P = .012, respectively) and MAD (P = .005 and P = .023, respectively). Conclusions Complementary feeding practices were suboptimal in the Sidama and Oromia region in Ethiopia. Low household income and food insecurity seem to hinder the achievement of MDD and MAD, while maternal employment and knowledge on CFP contributed to a diversified and adequate diet among children. Thus, policies and interventions that target poverty, food insecurity, maternal unemployment, and nutrition education are necessary for the improvement of CFP. Funding Sources United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Food Security as part of Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrun Henjum ◽  
Bess L. Caswell ◽  
Laura Terragni

Food insecurity is widespread among asylum seekers resettled in Western countries. Limited information exists on the quality of food intake in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate dietary quality among asylum seekers living in Norwegian reception centers. This study has a cross-sectional research design. Dietary intake was assessed through a qualitative 24-hour dietary recall, and the dietary diversity score (DDS) was calculated. This study was conducted in eight Norwegian reception centers. A total of 205 adult asylum seekers (131 men and 74 women) participated in the study. The asylum seekers ate on average two meals per day, and one-third ate their first meal after noon. Mean (SD) DDS was 4.0 (1.6) and 2/3 had low dietary diversity, eating from fewer than five food groups. Women had a significantly higher mean DDS (4.5) than men (3.8) (β (95% CI): 0.47 (0.00, 0.95) and a higher consumption of vegetables and fruits. The longer the period of residence in Norway, the higher the DDS, β (95% CI): 0.01 (0.00, 0.02). The asylum seekers’ inadequate dietary intake reveals new forms of poverty and social exclusion in Europe. An inadequate dietary intake may increase the magnitude of difficulty involved in the settlement process and contribute to poorer health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 900-900
Author(s):  
Hannah Sanders ◽  
Scott Ickes

Abstract Objectives We conducted a non-randomized evaluation of a nutrition education program delivered by Soins de Santé Primaire in rural Senegal to identify the impact of participation on household dietary diversity scores (HDDS). We also sought to understand participant's perceptions of program strengths and weaknesses. Women participated in a single education session that emphasized hygiene, selecting from a variety of food groups, risk awareness of diet-related non-communicable diseases, and a recipe demonstration of a locally-sourced, balanced meal. We hypothesized that program participation would be associated with increased HDDS. Methods We surveyed 20 female program participants sampled from two communities and compared their responses with 20 women sampled from two non-intervention communities (n = 40). Surveys collected 24-hour dietary recall to calculate a dietary diversity score using the 12-point HDDS scale. The mean difference in HDDS was evaluated between post-program and comparison groups using linear regression. Models controlled for household size, employment, education, marital status, and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. We conducted key informant interviews with post-program participants (n = 19) to understand message recall, reported behavior change, and feedback for future sessions. Results Women in intervention households reported higher HDDS than comparison households [Mean (SE) = 9.0 (0.39) vs. 7.65 (0.24), P = .003]. In the adjusted model, program participation was positively associated with HDDS (β = 1.16, P = .041). Household food insecurity was associated with lower HDDS (β = −0.52, P = .024). Program participants recalled the importance of reducing bouillon cube usage and eating from each food group. Participants reported changes in food preparation and hygiene routines, such as adding more beans or vegetables and changing dirty dishwater often. The key improvement suggestion was to increase session frequency and expand education on hygiene and sanitation. Conclusions Low intensity nutrition education programs that include meal demonstrations may be a low-cost, effective method for improving dietary diversity among a population with moderate food insecurity in rural Senegal. Funding Sources World Renew, Services Luthériens pour le Developpement au Sénégal, and the Wheaton Human Needs and Global Resources Program.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Terragni ◽  
C Arnold ◽  
S Henjum

Abstract Background Food insecurity has a high prevalence among asylum seekers living in Western countries. Previous studies suggest that food skills can protect against food insecurity. This study investigates the impact of food skills on food security and dietary diversity among refugees living in Norwegian reception centers. Methods The study has a cross-sectional research design. Eight asylum reception centers where selected and 205 asylum seekers (131 men and 74 women) were recruited through convenience sampling among the largest asylum seeking groups. We measured food skills by adopting questions from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2013 Rapid Response on Food Skills. Food skills were divided into cooking skills (ability to prepare meals) and shopping skills (ability to plan meals and budgeting). Food security was measured with the 10-item version of the Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity Scale. Dietary data was collected via a 24-hour recall, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) dietary diversity score was calculated to assess dietary quality. Data were analyzed with bivariate logistic analysis. Results Cooking skills and shopping skills contribute differently to food security and dietary diversity. Higher cooking skills were associated with higher dietary diversity but not with food security. Shopping skills were not associated with either food security or dietary diversity. Women had better cooking skills then men, but there were no gender differences in shopping skills. Married asylum seekers had better shopping skills than those who were not married. Conclusions Cooking skills have an impact on dietary diversity, initiatives promoting cooking skills should be encouraged. Further research is needed on what kind of purchasing skills can be useful for asylum seekers coping. Despite high food skills the level of food insecurity remained high. Initiatives addressing the multiple causes of food insecurity are needed. Key messages Food skills alone do not protect from food insecurity. Cooking skills are easier to transfer in a new food environment than shopping skills.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3411
Author(s):  
Chiu-Wen Yeh ◽  
Yuan-Ting C. Lo ◽  
Yi-Chieh Chen ◽  
Wei-Chih Chen ◽  
Yi-Chen Huang

Few studies have investigated food security, dietary quality, or unfavorable food intake through self-reports among children and adolescents in Asia. This study assessed the association of perceived food insecurity with dietary quality and unfavorable food intake among 1111 children and 538 adolescents from economically disadvantaged families in Taiwan. Food security status was collected by a validated questionnaire. Dietary quality was examined using a dietary diversity score (DDS). Unfavorable food intake was defined as fried food, bread/cake/pastries, sugar-sweetened beverages, and biscuits/chips. Food-insecure participants had lower DDS, whole grains and protein-rich food intake than food-secure participants. Furthermore, food-insecure children had a higher frequency of unfavorable food consumption. The level of children’s food insecurity was inversely associated with DDS (β: −0.047, 95% CI: −0.085 to −0.009) but positively with bread/pastry (β: 0.103, 95% CI: 0.022–0.184) and sugar-sweetened beverages (β: 0.117, 95% CI: 0.018–0.215) intake. Adolescents who reported food insecurity and not enough money for household expenses had an odds ratio of 2.85 (95% CI: 1.15–7.10) for poor DDS relative to their food-secure and financially able counterparts. We recommended that health policy needs to include diversifying food and nutrition education for vulnerable children and adolescents to improve dietary quality.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayaka Nagao-Sato ◽  
Stephanie Druziako ◽  
Aysegul Baltaci ◽  
Alejandro Omar Peralta Reyes ◽  
Youjie Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Food assistance and nutrition education are strategies used to address the high prevalence of food insecurity among U.S. Latino households. Assessment of food security status is necessary to implement these strategies. However, similarities and differences in perceptions of food security status have not been reported among Latino fathers and mothers who may have different home food acquisition and preparation responsibilities. This study aimed to 1) determine demographic characteristics and/or food-related factors associated with perceptions of food security status among Latino fathers and mothers, and 2) identify those factors correlated with concordance in perceptions of food insecurity between fathers and mothers.Methods: Baseline data were used from a Latino-family, community-based program to improve paternal parenting practices and youth energy balance-related behaviors (Padres Preparados, Jóvenes Saludables), including 106 father and mother couples. Food security was assessed with two questions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture 18-item Household Food Security Survey. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between food security and predictor variables in fathers or mothers and between couple discordant responses in food security status and predictor variables.Results: The prevalence of household food insecurity was reported by 39% of fathers and 55% of mothers. Food security status was associated with neighborhood safety (odds ratio (OR): 3.7, p < 0.05) and household income (OR: 3.2, p < 0.05) in fathers, and with neighborhood safety (OR: 4.1, p < 0.01) and home fruit and vegetable availability (OR: 5.5, p < 0.01) in mothers. Couple discordance in reporting food security status occurred in 24% of the couples and was related to higher discordance among couples where fathers reported a lower frequency of participation in nutrition education than mothers (OR: 3.4, p < 0.05) and different perceptions of home fruit and vegetable accessibility (OR: 3.1, p < 0.05).Conclusions: Among Latino fathers and/or mothers, factors associated with perceptions of food insecurity differed, possibly related to fathers versus mothers having access to information about different household aspects related to food insecurity. Nutrition education for fathers may support an improvement in couple discordance in assessment of food security.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayaka Nagao-Sato ◽  
Stephanie Druziako ◽  
Aysegul Baltaci ◽  
Alejandro Omar Peralta Reyes ◽  
Youjie Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Food security status has been assessed as a representative score for households; however, different members in the same household may perceive and report food insecurity differently. A high prevalence of food insecurity has been reported among Latino households, therefore understanding differences in reporting food insecurity by Latino father-mother dyads may improve accuracy of assessment and plans to address food insecurity. This study aimed to 1) determine demographic characteristics and/or food-related factors associated with perceptions of food security status among Latino father-mother dyads, and 2) identify factors associated with discordance in perceptions of food insecurity between dyads. Methods Baseline data were used from a community-based, youth obesity prevention program among Latino families (n = 106 father-mother dyads). Food security was assessed with a 2-item food insecurity screen. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between reporting food security status and predictor variables for fathers, mothers, and dyad-discordant responses. Results Food insecurity was reported by 39% of fathers and 55% of mothers. Adjusted odds of reporting food insecurity were significantly higher for fathers perceiving their neighborhood was unsafe vs. safe (OR: 3.7, p < 0.05) and reporting lower vs. higher household income (OR: 3.2, p < 0.05). Adjusted odds of reporting food insecurity were significantly higher for mothers perceiving their neighborhood was unsafe vs. safe (OR: 4.1, p < 0.01) and reporting lower vs. higher home availability of fruit and vegetable (OR: 5.5, p < 0.01). Dyad discordance in reporting food security status occurred in 24% of the dyads. Adjusted odds of dyad discordant reports of food insecurity status were significantly higher for dyads reporting discordant responses regarding previous nutrition education (OR: 3.4, p < 0.05) and higher home fruit and vegetable accessibility (OR: 3.1, p < 0.05) compared to dyads reporting concordant responses. Among the 28 dyads who reported discordant nutrition education participation, 21 reported that fathers had never participated but mothers had participated more than once. Conclusions Differential factors were associated with reporting food security among Latino father-mother dyads. Nutrition education for fathers that improves awareness of home food supplies and a better understanding of how food accessibility influences maternal perceptions may improve dyad discordance in reporting household food security.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (15) ◽  
pp. 2687-2699
Author(s):  
Lamis H Jomaa ◽  
Farah A Naja ◽  
Samer A Kharroubi ◽  
Marwa H Diab-El-Harake ◽  
Nahla C Hwalla

AbstractObjective:Examine the associations between household food insecurity (HFI) with sociodemographic, anthropometric and dietary intakes of mothers.Design:Cross-sectional survey (2014–2015). In addition to a sociodemographic questionnaire, data collection included the validated Arabic version of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, which was used to evaluate HFI. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall of a single habitual day, and maternal BMI was calculated based on weight and height measurements. Associations between HFI and maternal dietary intake (food groups, energy and macronutrients’ intake) were examined. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations between HFI status with odds of maternal overweight and measures of diet quality and diversity (Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women of Reproductive Age (MDD-W)).Setting:Lebanon.Participants:Mothers, nationally representative sample of Lebanese households with children (n 1204).Results:HFI was experienced among almost half of the study sample. Correlates of HFI were low educational attainment, unemployment and crowding. Significant inverse associations were observed between HFI and dietary HEI (OR 0·64, 95 % CI 0·46, 0·90, P = 0·011) and MDD-W (OR 0·6, 95 % CI 0·42, 0·85, P = 0·004), even after adjusting for socioeconomic correlates. No significant association was observed between HFI and odds of maternal overweight status.Conclusions:HFI was associated with compromised maternal dietary quality and diversity. Findings highlight the need for social welfare programmes and public health interventions to alleviate HFI and promote overall health and wellbeing of mothers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-76
Author(s):  
Federica Di Marcantonio ◽  
Estefania Custodio ◽  
Yusuf Abukar

Background: Malnutrition and food insecurity are major challenges in Somalia, particularly among small children living in internally displaced person (IDP) camps. Poor diet has been identified as a key driver of malnutrition in young children who depend for their diets on their household’s socioeconomic standing and access to food, as well as on the family’s caring and feeding practices. Objective: To assess the dietary diversity and identify the factors associated with it among children (6-23 months) in Somalian IDP camps. Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey conducted in 11 IDP camps in Somalia in June 2014 and in June 2015. A total of 3188 children aged 6 to 23 months were surveyed. Child diets were assessed using food frequency questionnaires, and dietary diversity was categorized using the minimum child dietary diversity (MDDC) indicator. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the factors associated with the children’s dietary diversity. We built and compared 2 models using alternatively the household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and the food consumption score (FCS) as food security proxies. Results: Around 15% of children in IDP camps reached the minimum dietary diversity. Overall, our results confirm that not only are food security proxies the factors most associated with MDDC, but HDDS performs better than FCS. In addition, results identify that women as key decision-maker in the household, duration of household permanence in the settlement, women’s physiological status, frequency of milk feeding to child, type of toilet, and measles vaccination are positively associated with MDDC. Conclusions: To improve child dietary diversity in IDP camps, food security interventions should be broadened to include female empowerment and inclusive nutrition education (encouraging male participation) programs, as well as initiatives targeting children who do not live with pregnant or lactating women and that can support families beyond the first months after their arrival.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document