scholarly journals What empowerment indicators are important for food consumption for women? Evidence from 5 sub-Sahara African countries

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250014
Author(s):  
Michael Nnachebe Onah ◽  
Sue Horton ◽  
John Hoddinott
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
The Relationship

This paper draws on data from five sub-Sahara African countries; Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique consisting of 10,041 married women who were cohabitating with a male spouse. The study aim was to investigate the relationship between women’s empowerment and women’s dietary diversity and consumption of different food items. Women’s empowerment was measured using the indicators in the five domains of Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture index (WEAI) and women’s dietary diversity and food consumption was examined using the women’s dietary diversity score (WDDS) measure. OLS and LPM regressions were used and analyses were confirmed using marginal effects from Poisson and logistic regressions. Results suggest that three out of the 10 WEAI indicators of empowerment showed different magnitude and direction in significant associations with improved WDDS and varied associations were found in three out of the five countries examined. In addition, the three significant empowerment indicators were associated with the consumption of different food groups in three out of the five countries examined suggesting that diverse food groups account for the association between the WEAI and WDDS. Improved autonomy, and input in production were associated with improved likelihoods of consumption of dairy products, and fruits and vegetables including vitamin A-rich produce. Empowerment in public speaking was associated with improved consumption of other fruits and vegetables including vitamin A-rich produce. The varied nature of empowerment indicators towards improving women’s dietary diversity and food consumption suggests that different empowerment strategies might confer different benefits towards the consumption of different food groups. Further, findings imply that interventions that seek to empower women should tailor their strategies on existing contextual factors that impact on women

scholarly journals Nutritional outcomes of empowerment and market integration for women in rural India

Food Security ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1243-1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumya Gupta ◽  
Vidya Vemireddy ◽  
Prabhu L. Pingali
Keyword(s):  
Market Integration ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
Per Capita

Abstract Over half of all women of reproductive age are affected by anaemia in India. In this paper we study the role that both household market integration and women’s empowerment in agriculture can play in determining women’s dietary diversity. Our analysis is based on primary data from 3600 households across India on agriculture, nutrition and anthropometric outcomes. We account for market integration by way of per capita household purchases (quantity) of cereals and non- cereal food groups, such as pulses, meat/ fish/ poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs and dairy. We construct an adapted version of the Abbreviated Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAI) that is context- specific and agriculture- oriented. After controlling for individual, household and village- level explanatory factors, we find that – for a given level of per capita market purchases – women who are empowered in their agricultural decisions have significantly higher dietary diversity scores relative to women who are disempowered of such decisions. More specifically it is women’s empowerment in two areas: input in production decisions and membership in self- help groups that supports this result. Women’s empowerment also enhances dietary diversity in the presence of disaggregated per capita purchases of non-cereals such as pulses, meat, dairy and eggs. This highlights the importance of reorienting India’s agricultural price and procurement policies beyond staple grains to ensure better dietary diversity.

scholarly journals Dietary Variation among Children Meeting and Not Meeting Minimum Dietary Diversity: An Empirical Investigation of Food Group Consumption Patterns among 73,036 Children in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 150 (10) ◽  
pp. 2818-2824
Author(s):  
Jacob P Beckerman-Hsu ◽  
Rockli Kim ◽  
Smriti Sharma ◽  
S V Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Protein Rich ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity

ABSTRACT Background Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) is a widely used indicator of adequate dietary micronutrient density for children 6–23 mo old. MDD food-group data remain underutilized, despite their potential for further informing nutrition programs and policies. Objectives We aimed to describe the diets of children meeting MDD and not meeting MDD in India using food group data, nationally and subnationally. Methods Food group data for children 6–23 mo old (n = 73,036) from the 2015–16 National Family Health Survey in India were analyzed. Per WHO standards, children consuming ≥5 of the following food groups in the past day or night met MDD: breast milk; grains, roots, or tubers; legumes or nuts; dairy; flesh foods; eggs; vitamin A–rich fruits and vegetables; and other fruits and vegetables. Children not meeting MDD consumed <5 food groups. We analyzed the number and types of foods consumed by children meeting MDD and not meeting MDD at the national and subnational geographic levels. Results Nationally, children not meeting MDD most often consumed breast milk (84.5%), grains, roots, and tubers (62.0%), and/or dairy (42.9%). Children meeting MDD most often consumed grains, roots, and tubers (97.6%), vitamin A–rich fruits and vegetables (93.8%), breast milk (84.1%), dairy (82.1%), other fruits and vegetables (79.5%), and/or eggs (56.5%). For children not meeting MDD, district-level dairy consumption varied the most (6.4%–79.9%), whereas flesh foods consumption varied the least (0.0%–43.8%). For children meeting MDD, district-level egg consumption varied the most (0.0%–100.0%), whereas grains, roots, and tubers consumption varied the least (66.8%–100.0%). Conclusions Children not meeting MDD had low fruit, vegetable, and protein-rich food consumption. Many children meeting MDD also had low protein-rich food consumption. Examining the number and types of foods consumed highlights priorities for children experiencing the greatest dietary deprivation, providing valuable complementary information to MDD.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic and Geographic Pattern of Food Consumption and Dietary Diversity among Children Aged 6–23 Months Old in Ghana

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 603
Author(s):  
Isaac Anane ◽  
Fengying Nie ◽  
Jiaqi Huang
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dairy Consumption

Dietary inadequacy is a major challenge among young children in Ghana. Nutritional policies are required for optimum child nutrition and development. This study explored food consumption and dietary diversity by socioeconomic status and geographical location among children aged 6–23 months in Ghana. We used the latest national representative, cross-sectional data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS-2014). A total of 887 children aged 6–23 months were used in the final analysis. The survey collected data on children’s food consumption through their mothers in the 24 h recall method. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between socioeconomic status and geographical location with food consumption and adequate dietary diversity after adjusting for control variables. The study revealed an association between specific food item consumption, food groups, and dietary diversity by socioeconomic and geographic characteristics. However, dairy consumption increased faster than other nutritional foods when socioeconomic status increased. Furthermore, the study revealed that children’s chances of consuming particular food items and food groups differed across Ghana’s 10 regions. The average probabilities of consuming adequate dietary diversity between the Greater Accra region and Ashanti region were 43% vs. 8% (p < 0.001). Consumption of grains, root, and tubers were relatively higher but low for Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables and legumes and nuts for children aged 6–23 months in Ghana. Overall, the mean dietary diversity score was low (3.39; 95% CI: 3.30–3.49) out of eight food groups, and the prevalence of adequate dietary diversity was 22% only. There is a need for policy interventions to ensure appropriate dietary practices to promote healthy growth of children.

scholarly journals Are Women in Rural India Really Consuming a Less Diverse Diet?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-331
Author(s):  
Soumya Gupta ◽  
Naveen Sunder ◽  
Prabhu L. Pingali
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Rural India ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Diet Diversity ◽  
Household Members ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Food Consumed

Background: It is widely considered that women have less diverse diets than other household members. However, it has been challenging to establish this empirically since women’s diet diversity is measured differently from that of other household members. Objective: In this article, we compare women’s dietary diversity with that of their respective households and thereby generate a measure of “dietary gap.” Methods: We measure women’s “dietary gap” by using the difference of homogenized household and woman dietary scores (using the same scales). This is done using primary data on 3600 households from 4 districts in India. Additionally, we show the robustness of our results to variations in scale and recall periods used to construct the diet diversity scores. Results: Mean difference tests indicate that women consistently consume 0.1 to 0.5 fewer food groups relative to other household members, with the results being statistically significant at the 1% level. The food groups driving this dietary gap are nonstaples like Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables, meat/fish/poultry, and dairy. Conclusions: Results point toward the discrimination faced by women in the variety of the food consumed, the importance of considering comparability in creating indices of diet diversity, and the need to collect more detailed information on diets. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to examine dietary discrimination faced by women using common scales.

scholarly journals Women's Empowerment Measures and Their Association with Child Dietary Diversity and Child Nutritional Status: Findings from DHS Form Eight East African Countries (P10-007-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Komakech ◽  
Christine Walters ◽  
Hasina Rakotomanana ◽  
Deana Hildebrand ◽  
Barbara Stoecker
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
East African ◽  
African Region ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Child Nutritional Status

Abstract Objectives Research on the efficacy of women's empowerment measures to improve child dietary diversity Scores (CDDS) and child nutritional status in the East African region is limited. Our study examined the association between maternal economic autonomy, social-familial freedom, self-esteem, health decisiveness and legal empowerment and CDDS, length-for-age z scores (LAZ), weight-for-height z scores (WHZ) and weight-for-age z scores (WAZ). Methods The most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data from eight countries in the East African Region were used; (Burundi 2016–2017, Ethiopia 2016, Kenya 2014, Malawi 2015–2016, Rwanda 2014–2015, Tanzania 2015–2016, Uganda 2016 and Zambia 2013–2014). Mother (15–49 years) and index child (6–23 months) dyads data was used as the main inclusion criteria. Frequency statistics described selected child, maternal, household and women's empowerment characteristics. Logistic and linear regression models tested the association between each of the women's empowerment measures and CDDS, and child nutritional status respectively. The models were adjusted for household, maternal and child covariates. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Over half (>55.5%) of the mothers in their respective countries had control over health-related decisions. Most of the mothers (>58.7%) perceived that domestic violence was wrong. Significant bivariate associations were observed between specific women's empowerment measures with CDDS in all countries except Malawi and Uganda. After adjustment in multivariate models, the economic empowerment domain remained significantly associated with CDDS in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, and the legal empowerment domain remained significantly associated with CDDS in five of eight countries. Individual women's empowerment measures remained significantly associated with higher LAZ, WAZ and WHZ each in a different combination within four of the eight countries. Conclusions Women's empowerment measures were associated with higher child dietary diversity score and better child nutritional status in these East African Countries. Interventions aimed at improving CDDS and child nutrition outcomes should include promotion of women's empowerment across multiple dimensions. Funding Sources This study had no funding sources.

Feminism and Firearms: Gun Ownership, Gun Carrying, and Women’s Empowerment

2021 ◽  
pp. 073112142110286
Author(s):  
Margaret S. Kelley
Keyword(s):  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Feminist Identity ◽  
Gun Ownership ◽  
American Life ◽  
Self Defense ◽  
Gun Carrying ◽  
Gun Culture ◽  
The Relationship

In this article, I use the 2018 Guns in American Life Survey (GALS) to investigate the relationship between feminist identity, gun ownership, gun carrying, and women’s empowerment. Notably, while identifying as a feminist lessens the likelihood that a woman will own a gun, of women who own handguns, feminists are more likely to carry their guns all or most of the time. Past victimization is associated with ownership and carrying, confirming genuine concern by women about their safety. Finally, findings reveal that women are more empowered by guns than are men and the relationship is moderated by age. Results are discussed in light of the current American gun culture focused on self-defense and a carry mindset that some women develop as feminist culture in action.

Abstract P180: Does Poverty Consistently Affect Food Consumption in Childhood? Evidence from a Longitudinal Study in Children

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Kakinami ◽  
Marie Lambert ◽  
Lise Gauvin ◽  
Louise Séguin ◽  
Béatrice Nikiéma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Low Exposure ◽  
Statistics Canada ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Childhood poverty is associated with poorer food consumption patterns but longitudinal data on this association is limited. To assess if the relationship between food consumption and poverty differs depending on the child’s age and pattern of poverty, we analyzed the relationship between consumption of selected foods and poverty trajectories at various ages in a birth cohort. Methods: The 1998-2010 "Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development" (n=2,120) cohort was used for these analyses. Household income was measured annually with poverty defined as income below the low-income thresholds established by Statistics Canada adjusted for household size and geographic region. Frequency of children’s consumption of dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt), fruits, and vegetables were reported by parents using a food frequency questionnaire. Analyses were conducted on the 739 children with food consumption data. Trajectories of poverty at 6, 8, 10, and 12 years were characterized with latent class group analysis using maximum likelihood in a semiparametric mixture model. Multivariable logistic regression predicted the likelihood of having less than 2 servings a day of dairy, fruits and vegetables based on poverty trajectories after adjusting for age and sex. Results: The poverty trajectories were stable and fell into 1 lower exposure category (consistently low exposure (73%, n=537)) and 3 higher exposure categories (increasing: 8%, n=61; decreasing: 10%, n=73; or consistently high exposure: 9%, n=68)). Compared to children experiencing low exposure to poverty, children with increasing or high exposure to poverty were less likely to have at least two servings of fruit a day at all ages, but the results were not significant. Compared to children experiencing low exposure to poverty, children with high exposure were 55% (CI: 0.2-0.8, p=0.001), 31% (CI: 0.4-1.2, p=0.23), 67% (CI: 0.2-0.6, p<.0001), and 49% (CI: 0.3-0.8, p=0.001) less likely to have at least two servings of dairy a day at 6, 8, 10, and 12 years, respectively. Compared to children with low exposure to poverty, children with high exposure were 43% (CI: 0.3-0.9, p=0.02), 46% (CI: 0.3-0.9, p=0.02), 55% (CI: 0.3-0.8, p=0.003), and 47% (CI: 0.3-0.9, p=0.02) less likely to have at least two servings of vegetables a day at 6, 8, 10, and 12 years, respectively. Children at all ages with decreasing or increasing exposure to poverty were less likely to have at least two servings of vegetables a day, but the results were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Experiencing high exposure to poverty has consistent effects on food consumption throughout childhood. In addition, compared to children with low exposure to poverty, children with increasing or decreasing exposure were less likely to have at least 2 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, suggesting any exposure to poverty may have detrimental effects on consumption of selected foods.

scholarly journals Dietary Diversity in Cambodian Garment Workers: The Role of Free Lunch Provision

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Makurat ◽  
Eleonore Kretz ◽  
Frank Wieringa ◽  
Chhoun Chamnan ◽  
Michael Krawinkel
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Garment Workers ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Randomised Controlled

The objective of this paper is to compare food consumption by Cambodian garment workers with and without access to a free model lunch provision through a factory-based canteen. Data from an exploratory randomised controlled trial were analysed. In total, 223 female Cambodian garment workers were allocated to an intervention arm (six-month lunch provision) or a control arm. Dietary intake on workdays was assessed by qualitative 24-h recalls at baseline and twice at follow-ups during the period of lunch provision using the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) guideline on assessing women’s dietary diversity. In total, 158 participants provided complete data on the dietary intake over workdays at all interviews. Lunch provision resulted in a more frequent consumption of dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV), vitamin A-rich fruits, other fruits, and oils and fats during lunch breaks. In contrast, flesh meats, legumes, nuts and seeds, as well as sweets, were eaten at a lower frequency. Except for a higher consumption rate of vitamin A-rich fruits and a lower intake frequency of sweets, lunch provision had a less clear impact on total 24-h intake from different food groups and was not associated with a higher women’s dietary diversity score (WDDS). A more gap-oriented design of the lunch sets taking into account underutilised foods and the nutritional status of the workers is recommended.

scholarly journals Association between women’s empowerment and infant and child feeding practices in sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 3155-3165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muzi Na ◽  
Larissa Jennings ◽  
Sameera A Talegawkar ◽  
Saifuddin Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the relationship between women’s empowerment and WHO recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in sub-Saharan Africa.DesignAnalysis was conducted using data from ten Demographic and Health Surveys between 2010 and 2013. Women’s empowerment was assessed by nine standard items covering three dimensions: economic, socio-familial and legal empowerment. Three core IYCF practices examined were minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were applied for the IYCF practices on dimensional and overall empowerment in each country.SettingBenin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zimbabwe.SubjectsYoungest singleton children aged 6–23 months and their mothers (n 15 153).ResultsLess than 35 %, 60 % and 18 % of children 6–23 months of age met the criterion of minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet, respectively. In general, likelihood of meeting the recommended IYCF criteria was positively associated with the economic dimension of women’s empowerment. Socio-familial empowerment was negatively associated with the three feeding criteria, except in Zimbabwe. The legal dimension of empowerment did not show any clear pattern in the associations. Greater overall empowerment of women was consistently and positively associated with multiple IYCF practices in Mali, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. However, consistent negative relationships were found in Benin and Niger. Null or mixed results were observed in the remaining countries.ConclusionsThe importance of women’s empowerment for IYCF practices needs to be discussed by context and by dimension of empowerment.

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