Measuring Food Security through Dietary Diversity: Insights from a Field Survey in Rural Uttar Pradesh, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 347-364
Author(s):  
Abha Gupta ◽  
Deepak K. Mishra

The discourse on food security in India has concentrated upon availability and accessibility of cereals, neglecting the nutritional significance of fruits, vegetables and meat food products. This article attempts to assess the food security level both quantitatively and qualitatively, and level of dietary diversity among socio-economic groups. A cross sectional survey covering 304 households selected through stratified and proportional random sampling methods was conducted in six villages of Uttar Pradesh, India in 2013–2014. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and Dietary Diversity approach were used to indicate food security. Subjective assessment highlights that despite sufficient availability of food, most of the households were unable to eat the quality of food they preferred. Findings also show predominant concentration of diet towards cereals, milk, root and tuber food products. Muslims, scheduled caste, labourers and households with lower wealth index consumed a less diversified diet, which is statistically significant. This article provides important insights into the strength and limitations of food policy measures and underlines the need to move beyond the dominant cereal-based interventions for food security in emerging economies like India. JEL Code: Q18

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1200-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salome Nduku Kasimba ◽  
Boitumelo Stokie Motswagole ◽  
Namukolo Margaret Covic ◽  
Nicole Claasen

AbstractObjectiveTo determine access to traditional and indigenous foods (TIF) and the association with household food security, dietary diversity and women’s BMI in low socio-economic households.DesignSequential explanatory mixed-methods design, including a random household cross-sectional survey on household food insecurity access (HFIA), household dietary diversity (HDD) and women’s BMI, followed by focus group discussions.SettingTwo rural and two urban areas of Botswana.SubjectsPersons responsible for food preparation or an adult in a household (n400); for BMI, non-pregnant women aged 18–49 years (n253).ResultsAlmost two-thirds of households experienced moderate or severe food insecurity (28·8 and 37·3 %, respectively), but more than half of women were overweight or obese (26·9 and 26·9 %, respectively). Median HDD score was 6 (interquartile range 5–7) out of a total of 12. A positive correlation was found between number of TIF accessed and HDD score (r=0·457;P<0·001) and a negative correlation between number of TIF accessed and HFIA score (r=−0·272;P<0·001). There was no correlation between number of TIF accessed and women’s BMI (r=−0·066;P=0·297). TIF were perceived as healthy but with declining consumption due to preference for modern foods.ConclusionsTIF may potentially have an important role in household food security and dietary diversity. There is need to explore potential benefits that may be associated with their optimal use on food security and nutrition outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Sutyawan Sutyawan ◽  
Ali Khomsan ◽  
Dadang Sukandar

 Background: Household food insecurity is a underlaying causes on undernutrition problems in children under five years. Household food security especially from food acces dimention is reflected from many indicators that are complex and easier to understand in a composite index. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop a index of household food security and its relationship to nutrient intake level and nutritional status in children under five years. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in four villages in West Bangka Regency in December 2018 until April 2019. The study involved 219 subjects consisting of mothers and children aged 12-59 months. Data were analyzed using Rank Spearman relationship test. Results: The validation results showed that the index score has a negatively correlation (p<0.01) with the proportion of food expenditure and it has a significant correlation with dietary diversity (HDDS Score). In addition, the index score was a significant correlation (p<0.01) with the level of adequacy of energy, protein, fat, calcium, iron, zinc and dietary diversity in children. The index score was a significant associated (p<0.01) with the nutritional status of children based on height for age, weight gor age, and height for wight. Conclusions: The index was developed from this study can be an alternative to evaluate the status of household food security level and stronger marker of food consumption and nutritional status of under five children.ABSTRAKLatar Belakang: Kondisi rawan pangan pada rumah tangga merupakan salah satu penyebab masalah kekurangan gizi pada anak berusia di bawah lima tahun. Ketahanan pangan rumah tangga tercermin dari banyak indikator yang kompleks dan lebih mudah dipahami dalam indeks komposit.Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan mengembangkan indeks ketahanan pangan rumah tangga serta hubungannya dengan tingkat asupan gizi dan status gizi pada anak balita.Metode: Penelitian cross-sectional ini dilakukan di empat desa di Kabupaten Bangka Barat. Penelitian ini melibatkan 219 subjek yang terdiri dari anak berusia 12-59 bulan dan ibu dari anak. Data dianalis menggunakan uji beda Kruskal Wallis dan uji hubungan Rank Spearman.Hasil: Hasil validasi menunjukkan bahwa skor indeks memiliki perbedaan yang nyata (p<0,05) berdasarkan tingkat kerentanan pangan wilayah dan terdapat hubungan negatif yang kuat (p<0,05) dengan proporsi pengeluaran pangan. Selain itu, skor indeks memiliki keterkaitan yang kuat (p<0,05) dengan tingkat kecukupan energi, protein, lemak, kalsium, besi, seng serta keragaman diet pada balita. Skor indeks juga memiliki hubungan yang nyata (p<0,05) dengan nilai z-score status gizi balita berdasarkan indeks antropometri tinggi badan menurut usia, berat badan menurut umur, dan tinggi badan menurut berat badan.Kesimpulan: Indeks yang dikembangkan dari penelitian ini dapat menjadi alternatif dalam menilai status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga serta prediktor yang kuat dalam melihat gambaran konsumsi pangan dan status gizi balita. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Hernández ◽  
Alberto Camardiel

Venezuela is currently in a difficult social, political, and economic situation that has exposed people to many factors, including socioeconomic disadvantages, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthy and nutritious foods. These factors are associated with low dietary diversity, especially for economically dependent university students. In this study, we aimed to identify the associations between socioeconomic status, food security, and dietary diversity among sociology students at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV). This cross-sectional study was conducted between June and November 2016 on a simple random sample of 270 students. Indicators were calculated using data collected by the Mendez-Castellano socioeconomic questionnaire, the Community Childhood Hunger Identification Projects Scale of Food Security adapted and validated for Venezuelans (Cronbach's alpha = 0.898), and the validated dietary diversity scale for individuals. The rate response was 100%. It was observed that most of the sample is located between the socioeconomic status of the rich and middle class (82.6%), presents some degree of food insecurity (85.9%), and maintains a diet with low dietary diversity (54.8%). Our main finding is that the socioeconomic status in the households of those students is not associated with either their food security level or their dietary diversity, but these constructs are related in a significant statistical way. In particular, the odds of a student household having a diverse diet instead of a monotonous diet are 3.92 (95% CI: 2.91; 4.93) times greater for those in food security instead of moderate/severe food insecurity. It is concluded that these students have a multifactorial critical food situation, in which the food right is violated, which could affect their permanence and academic performance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1540-1547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J Schwei ◽  
Haile Tesfay ◽  
Frezer Asfaw ◽  
Wellington Jogo ◽  
Heidi Busse

AbstractObjectiveTo describe: household dietary diversity across four zones in Ethiopia; the relationship between household dietary diversity and consumption of vitamin A-rich foods; and the relationship between household dietary diversity and food security status.DesignThis was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using structured questionnaires in the local language. Household dietary diversity scores measured types of foods households consumed, and households were classified by food security status using a modified version of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. An ordinal logistics regression model was created to assess the relationship between three tiers of dietary diversity (low, medium and high) and food security while controlling for agricultural zone, educational variables and household characteristics.SettingRural households in Tigray, Ethiopia.SubjectsThree hundred households in Tigray, Ethiopia, were interviewed.ResultsOf the households, 23, 47 and 30 % had low, medium and high dietary diversity, respectively. Among households with high dietary diversity, eggs and fruit were the most common foods added to the diet. In the fully adjusted model, participants who reported being food secure had 1·8 increased odds of greater dietary diversity (95 % CI 1·0, 3·2) compared with participants who were food insecure.ConclusionsFood security was positively associated with dietary diversity. In order to enhance health, interventions that improve dietary diversity and vitamin A consumption should remain important areas of focus for health leaders in the region.


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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reshma Roshania ◽  
Rakesh Giri ◽  
Melissa Fox Young ◽  
G Sai Mala ◽  
Amy Webb Girard ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of child malnutrition and the determinants of nutrition status among circular migrant families working in the brick industry in Bihar, India, focusing on differences by origin. Methods We used a stratified, cluster sampling design consisting of a cross-sectional survey in 552 randomly selected brick kilns (clusters) throughout Bihar. Circular migration was defined as residence outside the home block for at least 60 days for employment plus at least one home return in the previous year. Per kiln, three circular migrant households with children 0–35 months of age were randomly selected. We collected kiln, household and child-level data including anthropometric measurements for each selected child (n = 1198). Descriptive, bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted in SAS. The primary outcomes were stunting (<-2 SD height-for-age z score) and wasting (<-2 SD weight-for-height z score). The primary exposure of interest was intrastate vs. interstate origin; covariates included household wealth index, parity of the mother, and child age and gender. Results Prevalence of stunting was lower among interstate migrants (47%) compared to intrastate migrants (55%, aOR: 0.66, 95%CI: 0.50–0.88). Wasting was higher among interstate migrants (43%) compared to intrastate migrants (34%, aOR:1.51, 95%CI: 1.17–1.94). Among children 6–23 months, 13% had a minimum acceptable diet; MAD was higher among interstate migrants (17%), compared to intrastate migrants (10%) (P = 0.014). Full immunization coverage among circular migrants was 39%, lower than the overall state (62%, NFHS IV). Open defecation was reported by over 90% of circular migrants. Conclusions Our results are likely to inform the ongoing policy discourse on circular migrants’ access to health and nutrition benefits. State of origin emerged as an important predictor of nutrition status, operating differently for acute and chronic malnutrition; we will further explore pathways of nutrition by origin in future analyses. Funding Sources Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1752-1758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulfa Abrahams ◽  
Anniza de Villiers ◽  
Nelia P Steyn ◽  
Jean Fourie ◽  
Lucinda Dalais ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo identify and describe factors associated with food shop (known as tuck shop in South Africa) and lunchbox behaviours of primary-school learners in South Africa.DesignAnalysis of data collected in 2008 from a cross-sectional survey.SettingSixteen primary schools in the Western Cape, South Africa.SubjectsA total of 717 grade 4 learners aged 10–12 years.ResultsA 24 h recall established that 69 % of learners carried a lunchbox to school and 49 % had consumed at least one item purchased from the school food shop/vendor. Most lunchboxes contained white bread with processed meat, whereas the most frequent food shop/vendor purchase comprised chips/crisps. Learners who carried a lunchbox to school had significantly lower BMI percentiles (P = 0·002) and BMI-for-age (P = 0·034), compared with their counterparts. Moreover, they were younger, had higher standard-of-living and dietary diversity scores, consumed more meals per day, had greater self-efficacy and came from predominantly urban schools, compared with those who did not carry a lunchbox to school. Learners who ate food shop/vendor purchases had a lower standard-of-living score and higher dietary diversity and meal scores. Only 2 % of learners were underweight, whereas 19 % were stunted and 21 % were overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2).ConclusionsChildren who carried a lunchbox to school appeared to have greater dietary diversity, consumed more regular meals, had a higher standard of living and greater nutritional self-efficacy compared with those who did not carry a lunchbox to school.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kefasi Nyikahadzoi ◽  
Byron Zamasiya ◽  
George Alex Muchinako ◽  
Charles Dziro

The study sought to establish factors that contribute towards food security among elderly headed households and then seek ways of enhancing them. The study was conducted in Mudzi District in Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe. Data was collected from wards 11, 12 and 16. The study used cross sectional household data collected using a structured questionnaire. Two measures of food security are used; namely household food insecurity access score and household dietary diversity score. The results showed that food insecurity access score was statistically higher for elderly headed household when compared to those headed by younger people. The study revealed that social capital, remittances, and off farm income generating projects can increase the elderly headed household’s likelihood of being food secure. The study also showed that public assistance is not making a positive contribution towards food security of elderly headed household. This paper argues that it is important for government and civil society to promote social capital and support channels of remittances to elderly headed households in communal areas.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2961
Author(s):  
Nafissatou Cisse Egbuonye ◽  
Ariun Ishdorj ◽  
E.L.J. McKyer ◽  
Rahma Mkuu

Malnutrition is a major public health concern in Niger. The stunting rate in children in Niger is over 50%, one of the highest in the world. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine children’s dietary diversity (CDD) and the maternal factors that impact CDD. A total of 1265 mother–child pairs were analyzed. Descriptive analysis was conducted to present maternal and child characteristics. To compare the mean scores of CDD in relation to the region, an independent sample t-test was conducted. A one-way ANOVA test was conducted to evaluate the CDD score by different age groups. A linear regression model was estimated to identify household, maternal and child factors that affect the CDD score. Our results indicate that most of the participants of our survey resided in rural areas and the majority (80.7%) of the mothers had no education. Factors such as region, children’s age, woman’s empowerment, vitamin A intake and wealth index were significant predictors of CDD (p < 0.05). The children residing in rural areas were more likely to have lower CDD scores (p < 0.05) than the children in urban areas, therefore becoming more susceptible to malnutrition.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
Teklemariam Abadi

The study was conducted in midland and lowland agro-ecological zone of North western zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. Two districts were selected purposively based on their potential exotic chicken breed production. Out of the total chicken producers in the study area 264 farmers, 132 from each of the two districts were selected randomly using systematic random sampling methods. It was conducted in cross sectional survey data from 264 respondents in 2016. Its aim was to assess the contribution of producing exotic chicken to dietary diversity of the rural households with 24 hours recall method. The study examines the study area is characterized in a low dietary diversity mainly defined by starchy staples (grains, condiments, oil or fats) at the expense of protein sources (meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, eggs). The result also indicates that there is a higher probability of the exotic chicken producers groups to move from a medium dietary diversity status to a high dietary diversity status as compared with indigenous chicken producers. Based on the study result, there is possibility to improve dietary diversity and income of the households through introduction and dissemination of exotic chicken breeds to rural households. Hence, governmental and non-governmental organizations should help in intervention of exotic chicken breed to the farm households by giving different incentives.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document