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

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.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Amoako Agyei ◽  
Stephen Kofi Afrifa ◽  
Adam Munkaila ◽  
Patience Kanyiri Gaa ◽  
Eugene Dogkotenge Kuugbee ◽  
...  

Essential nutrients are necessary for reducing the risk of maternal mortality, prenatal mortality, and low-birthweight infants. Dietary diversity can play an important role in supplying essential nutrients to both the mother and the foetus. We evaluated nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and dietary diversity of pregnant women. In addition, we investigated the sociodemographic determinants of dietary diversity among pregnant women from a rural district in Ghana. Participants were pregnant women receiving antenatal care from a rural district hospital in Ghana. Dietary diversity was measured using a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of dietary diversity. About 85% of the pregnant women knew that they should eat more in comparison to nonpregnant women, and only 16.9% knew the importance of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. Mean (SD) dietary diversity score of the participants was 5.27 (1.35), 85.4% did not consume any fruits, and 82.3% did not take milk and milk products. Almost all participants took at least one food item in the starchy staples and green leafy vegetables food groups. Moreover, 53% consumed vitamin A-rich fruits, vegetables, and tubers; 7.7% organ meats; and 30.8% eggs. Those who earned a monthly income of ≥GHC 500 or US$ 87 (B = 1.82; 0.90–2.73; p < 0.001 ) significantly had higher dietary diversity scores compared to those who earned less. Dietary diversity of the pregnant women was suboptimal. The consumption of vitamin A- and iron-rich foods was inadequate. Income was an important determinant of the dietary diversity of pregnant women from Northern rural Ghana.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Hendriks ◽  
A. Viljoen ◽  
D. Marais ◽  
F. A. M. Wenhold ◽  
A. M. McIntyre ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Very little has been researched about the efficacy, effectiveness, feasibility, sustainability and impact of food-based approaches on the diets and nutritional status of populations at risk of hunger and food insecurity. This study contributes knowledge about the impact of food-based approaches on the diets of populations at risk of hunger and food insecurity in four of the poorest rural communities in South Africa. The study investigated the consumption and production patterns of rural households (278 in summer and 280 in winter) in four sites in the poorest municipalities in South Africa. Methods A multistage stratified random sampling technique was applied to identify the communities and sample households for the quantitative survey and qualitative assessments. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected between 2013 and 2015 through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews and the two-round panel survey to cover both the summer and winter seasons at each site. Results Home gardening led to a significant positive increase in the consumption of white roots and tubers, dark green leafy vegetables, orange-coloured fruit and other fruit in the 24 h prior to the survey. Participation in a community garden led to significant increases in the consumption of dark green leafy vegetables and other vegetables. School gardening did not demonstrate any statistical relationships with the consumption of foods from the crop-related food groups. Crop production improved dietary diversity. Selling produce and irrigation showed a stronger improvement in dietary diversity. Seasonality affected the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables for home consumption in winter. Conclusions Producing beyond that solely for home consumption has greater benefits for dietary diversity and a consumption-smoothing effect during the post-harvest period. Politicians and the scientific community should recognise the role that household and small-scale crop production plays in supporting household consumption and the provision of essential micronutrients despite constraints and disincentives. Production and education programmes should focus on strengthening existing good consumption patterns and promoting the consumption of foods that can improve dietary diversity.


The Lancet ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 346 (8967) ◽  
pp. 75-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
S de Pee ◽  
C.E West ◽  
J.G.A.J Hautvast ◽  
Muhilal ◽  
D Karyadi ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (13) ◽  
pp. 2345-2354
Author(s):  
Lillian Ziyenda Katenga-Kaunda ◽  
Per Ole Iversen ◽  
Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen ◽  
Heidi Fjeld ◽  
Ibrahimu Mdala ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:To examine if increased intake of locally available nutrient-dense foods among pregnant women improved the quality of their dietary intake and if use of the Theory of Planned Behaviour could explain changes in their dietary behaviour.Design:We used data from a randomised controlled trial where the intervention group received nutrition education and dietary counselling. We promoted the use of recipes that utilised powders to enhance dietary diversity. We examined how the intervention achieved changes in dietary intakes and used mixed effects logistic regression models with random effects at village level to explore changes over time of the outcomes, adjusted for selected explanatory variables.Setting:The study was conducted in twenty villages in rural Malawi.Participants:Data from 257 pregnant women who were enrolled during late first trimester and followed until birth.Results:The intervention achieved improvements in the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and the Six Food Group Pyramid (SFG) score, especially in intakes of micronutrient-rich foods. A third of the women in the intervention group attained optimal DDS, whereas about 50 % attained optimal SFG. The theorised behaviour mediators (i.e. nutrition attitudes, nutrition behaviour control and subjective norm) that had improved were also significantly associated with high DDS.Conclusions:Improved dietary intakes were achieved through promoting the use of locally available nutrient-dense foods. Attainment of high DDS was a consequence of the women’s belief in the effectiveness of the proposed nutrition recommendations. We identified critical personal and environmental constraints related to dietary intakes during pregnancy in a low-resource setting.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1576
Author(s):  
Victoria Flavian Gowele ◽  
Joyce Kinabo ◽  
Theresia Jumbe ◽  
Constance Rybak ◽  
Wolfgang Stuetz

Inadequate macro- and micronutrient nutrition and its consequences, such as anaemia, iron and vitamin deficiency, and growth retardation, could particularly affect children of small-scale farmers. In the present cross-sectional study, 666 school children aged 5–10 years from villages of Chamwino and Kilosa districts were studied for associations between nutritional and micronutrient status and dietary intake. The overall prevalence of stunting, underweight, and overweight was 28.1, 14.4, and 5%, while that of anaemia and deficiency of iron (ID), vitamin A (VAD), and zinc (ZnD) was 42.9, 29.3, 24.9, and 32.8%, respectively. Dietary recalls (24h) revealed that, except of iron (74%), only small proportions of children reached the recommended daily micronutrient intakes: 4% for zinc, 19% for vitamin A, and 14–46% for B vitamins. Stunting was highly associated with wasting in both districts and with VAD in Chamwino. Anaemia was predicted by ID, VAD, and ZnD in Chamwino and by elevated infection markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and α-1 glycoprotein (AGP), in Kilosa. Overall, elevated CRP and/or AGP increased the risk while higher serum carotenoids indicating a diet of more fruit and vegetables reduced the risk of VAD. The significantly lower prevalence of anaemia and ID in Chamwino was related to higher iron and vitamin A intake and the consumption of mainly bulrush millet with dark green leafy vegetables compared to maize or rice with legumes in Kilosa. Nutrition and hygiene education integrated with home and school garden programmes could reduce the multiple burdens of anaemia; micronutrient deficiencies and infections; and, in the long term, the prevalence of stunting.


The Lancet ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 346 (8990) ◽  
pp. 1634-1636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinodini Reddy ◽  
BarbaraA Underwood

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Tang ◽  
Paul Mitchell ◽  
George Burlutsky ◽  
Gerald Liew ◽  
Victoria M. Flood ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There is an evidence-practice gap between the dietary recommendations for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) presented in the literature and those practiced by patients. This study reports on the 3-months post-intervention results of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating telephone-delivered dietary counselling aiming to improve dietary behaviors among patients with AMD.Methods: 155 AMD patients (57% female, aged 78 ± 8 years; control: 78, intervention: 77), primarily residing in New South Wales, Australia were recruited into the RCT at baseline. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire and short dietary questionnaire for age-related macular degeneration (SDQ-AMD). The intervention included an evidence-based nutrition resource and four monthly calls with a dietitian in addition to usual care; the control arm only received usual care. Immediately post-intervention, participants in the intervention arm were invited to repeat the SDQ-AMD and complete a feedback form. At 3-months post-intervention, all participants were invited to repeat the SDQ-AMD. Statistical analyses included t-tests and McNemar’s test to determine change in dietary intakes and proportion of participants meeting the dietary recommendations, respectively; level of significance for all statistical analyses was p <0.05. Descriptive statistics were used to describe adherence to and acceptability of the intervention.Results: At 3-months post-intervention compared to baseline, there were significant improvements within the intervention arm including increased intakes (mean serves ± SE) of dark green leafy vegetables (0.99 ± 0.17 vs 1.71 ± 0.22; p = 0.003) and legumes (0.69 ± 0.10 vs 1.12 ± 0.16; p = 0.02), and reduced intakes of specified discretionary foods (8.31 ± 0.76 vs 6.54 ± 0.58, p = 0.01). Between study arms, intakes of nuts were significantly higher in the intervention arm (control: 2.71 ± 0.32 vs intervention: 3.96 ± 0.51; p = 0.04) at 3-months post-intervention. Overall feedback about the intervention was positive, with all completers (n = 74) finding the program worthwhile and 98.7% (n = 73) indicating they would recommend it to others. Conclusion: This novel intervention was well-received and significantly improved the dietary intakes of dark green leafy vegetables, legumes and discretionary foods within the intervention arm.Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; ACTRN12618000527268; registered 10 April 2018.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheryl L Hendriks ◽  
Annemarie Viljoen ◽  
Diana Marais ◽  
Friede AM Wenhold ◽  
Angela M McIntyre ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Very little has been researched about the efficacy, effectiveness, feasibility, sustainability and impact of food-based approaches on the diets and nutritional status of populations at risk of hunger and food insecurity. This study contributes knowledge about the impact of food-based approaches on the diets of populations at risk of hunger and food insecurity in four of the poorest rural communities in South Africa. The study investigated the consumption and production patterns of rural households (278 in summer and 280 in winter) in four sites in the poorest municipalities in South Africa. Methods A multistage stratified random sampling technique was applied to identify the communities and sample households for the quantitative survey and qualitative assessments. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected between 2013 and 2015 through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews and the two-round panel survey to cover both the summer and winter seasons at each site. Results Home gardening led to a significant positive increase in the consumption of white roots and tubers, dark green leafy vegetables, orange-coloured fruit and other fruit in the 24 hours prior to the survey. Participation in a community garden led to significant increases in the consumption of dark green leafy vegetables and other vegetables. School gardening did not demonstrate any statistical relationships with the consumption of foods from the crop-related food groups. Crop production improved dietary diversity. Selling produce and irrigation showed a stronger improvement in dietary diversity. Seasonality affected the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables for home consumption in winter Conclusions Producing beyond that solely for home consumption has greater benefits for dietary diversity and a consumption-smoothing effect during the post-harvest period. Politicians and the scientific community should recognise the role that household and small-scale crop production plays in supporting household consumption and the provision of essential micronutrients despite constraints and disincentives. Production and education programmes should focus on strengthening existing good consumption patterns and promoting the consumption of foods that can improve dietary diversity.


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