Food Security Assessment in Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Empirical Analysis of Dietary Diversity, Current and Project Food Demand and Supply-Demand Gap

This study attempts to determine the dietary diversity score for different food groups and estimates the current demand for different food groups in AJK. Data for this study was collected from 1250 households covering all 10 administrative districts of AJK by following multi-stage sampling techniques through a comprehensive interview schedule. Ten commodity groups (Wheat, Rice, Milk, Meat, Vegetables, Fruits, Pulses, Oil/Ghee, Tea and Other food were developed for analysis. Linear Approximate-Almost Ideal Demand System (LA-AIDS) model was used for estimating food demand elasticities through Zellner’s Seemingly Unrelated Regression by using STATA software. All the 10 food groups were found normal goods, except milk and fruits (income elasticity higher than unity). This implies that in future demand for milk and fruits would increase more proportionately as income would increase. The own price elasticities of all 10-food groups were also found congruent to economic theory (Wheat-0.28, Rice-0.65, Milk-0.92, Meat-0.34, Fruits-0.61, Vegetables-0.21, Pulses-0.29, Oil and ghee-0.04, Tea-0.35 and Other food-0.32). The income and own price elasticities depicted that wheat, vegetables, pulses and oil and ghee are necessities as compared to other food groups. The cross-price elasticity illustrated that rice could be a substitute for wheat and wheat for rice in the State of AJK. The Berry’s Index (82.43) depicted that food was diverse on average with a minimum Index value of 61.31. The study of different factors in relation to Berry’s Index depicted that education and income significantly and positively affect Berry’s Index while location of household in urban or rural area do not affect diversification of food. Inclusion of all necessities in Food Stamp program and Ramadan package and efforts by agriculture and livestock department regarding improved production of food commodities are recommended.

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Optimal Household Water Access Fosters the Attainment of Minimum Dietary Diversity among Children Aged 6–23 Months in Malawi

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13010178 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 178

Author(s):

Zizwani Brian Chilinda ◽

Mark L. Wahlqvist ◽

Meei-Shyuan Lee ◽

Yi-Chen Huang

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

World Health ◽

Food Groups ◽

Water Access ◽

Direct Role ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Child Undernutrition ◽

Health Organization ◽

Minimum Dietary Diversity

Along with sanitation and hygiene, water is a well-known driver of child undernutrition. However, a more direct role of household (HH) water access in shaping dietary diversity remains unexplored. We assessed the association between HH water access and achievement of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) among young children. We utilized nationally-representative cross-sectional data from the 2015/16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey, which included 4727 mother–child dyads, respectively, (26.8 ± 6.8 years, range 15–49 years) and (13.9 ± 4.9 months, range 6–23 months). HH water access was categorized as (1) basic or no access, (2) intermediate, or (3) optimal. MDD was defined as feeding a child, during the previous day, at least four of the food groups defined by the World Health Organization. Only 27.7% of the children achieved MDD standards; most of the children who achieved MDD were from HHs with optimal water access (58.4%, p < 0.001). However, only 5.9% of the mother–child dyads were from HHs with optimal water access. After adjusting for covariates, children from HHs with optimal water access had higher odds of achieving MDD than those from HHs with basic or no water access (aOR = 1.74, CI = 1.24–2.46). Our results highlight the need to incorporate water-based strategies into national nutritional policies to increase dietary diversity among Malawian infants and young children.

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Impact of Adopting Improved Seeds on Access to Broader Food Groups Among Small-Scale Sorghum Producers in Tanzania

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/2158244020979992 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 215824402097999

Author(s):

Aloyce R. Kaliba ◽

Anne G. Gongwe ◽

Kizito Mazvimavi ◽

Ashagre Yigletu

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Inverse Probability Weighting ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Small Scale ◽

Probability Weighting ◽

Food Groups ◽

Inverse Probability ◽

Double Robust

In this study, we use double-robust estimators (i.e., inverse probability weighting and inverse probability weighting with regression adjustment) to quantify the effect of adopting climate-adaptive improved sorghum varieties on household and women dietary diversity scores in Tanzania. The two indicators, respectively, measure access to broader food groups and micronutrient and macronutrient availability among children and women of reproductive age. The selection of sample households was through a multistage sampling technique, and the population was all households in the sorghum-producing regions of Central, Northern, and Northwestern Tanzania. Before data collection, enumerators took part in a 1-week training workshop and later collected data from 822 respondents using a structured questionnaire. The main results from the study show that the adoption of improved sorghum seeds has a positive effect on both household and women dietary diversity scores. Access to quality food groups improves nutritional status, food security adequacy, and general welfare of small-scale farmers in developing countries. Agricultural projects that enhance access to improved seeds are, therefore, likely to generate a positive and sustainable effect on food security and poverty alleviation in sorghum-producing regions of Tanzania.

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

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13020603 ◽

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.

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Nutrition Intervention Using Behavioral Change Communication without Additional Material Inputs Increased Expenditures on Key Food Groups in Bangladesh

Journal of Nutrition ◽

10.1093/jn/nxz339 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 150 (5) ◽

pp. 1284-1290

Author(s):

Andrea M Warren ◽

Edward A Frongillo ◽

Phuong H Nguyen ◽

Purnima Menon

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Change ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Nutrition Intervention ◽

Food Groups ◽

Child Feeding ◽

Additional Material ◽

Change Communication ◽

Intensive Intervention ◽

Percentage Points ◽

Food Expenditures

ABSTRACT Background Behavioral change communication (BCC) promotes skills and knowledge to improve infant and young child feeding, but without additional material inputs, recipients must develop strategies to translate knowledge into action. Using data from the Alive & Thrive initiative in Bangladesh (2010–2014), we aimed to test whether households receiving the intensive intervention (opposed to the nonintensive intervention) increased expenditures on key foods for mothers and children (e.g., foods that were promoted by the intervention and also changed in maternal and child diets). Methods The intensive intervention provided interpersonal counseling, community mobilization, and mass media campaigns to promote breastfeeding and complementary feeding. A cluster-randomized design compared 20 subdistricts randomly assigned to the intensive (4281 households) or nonintensive (4284 households) intervention. Measures included food and nonfood expenditures, dietary diversity, and women's economic resources. Linear and logistic regression tested difference-in-differences (DD) in expenditures and dietary diversity, accounting for subdistricts as clusters, and the association between maternal and child consumption of specific food groups and corresponding food expenditures. Results Expenditures on eggs and flesh foods increased more in intensive areas than in nonintensive areas by 53 (P < 0.01) and 471 (P < 0.01) taka/mo, respectively. Household food expenditures increased more in intensive areas by 832 taka (P = 0.02), whereas changes in nonfood expenditures did not differ. Women's employment and control of income increased more in intensive areas by 12 (P = 0.03) and 13 (P < 0.01) percentage points, respectively, while jewelry ownership decreased more by 23 percentage points (P < 0.01). Higher expenditures on food groups were reflected in higher consumption by women and children. Conclusions Recipients in the intensive intervention mobilized additional resources to improve diets, reflected in increased expenditures and consumption of promoted foods. BCC interventions should document how recipients produce desired results without additional material inputs, particularly for behaviors that likely require additional resources. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01678716.

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Homestead Food Production and Maternal and Child Dietary Diversity in Nepal: Variations in Association by Season and Agroecological Zone

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0379572117703264 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 338-353 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Bishnu Dulal ◽

Gary Mundy ◽

Rojee Sawal ◽

Pooja Pandey Rana ◽

Kenda Cunningham

Keyword(s):

Food Production ◽

Large Scale ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Technical Support ◽

Population Variation ◽

Food Groups ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

Maternal Report ◽

Policies And Programs ◽

Agroecological Zone

Background: Suaahara, a large-scale integrated program, aimed to improve diets and nutritional status among women and children, in part by facilitating enhanced homestead food production (EHFP). Objective: This study examines associations between EHFP and maternal and child dietary diversity and variations by season and agroecological zone (AEZ): mountains and terai. Methods: We used data from household monitoring surveys (n = 2101 mothers; n = 994 children, 6-23 months), which included a 7-day dietary recall and maternal report on participation in 5 EHFP activities—received vegetable seeds, chicks, and technical support and participated in training and EHFP groups. We constructed binary variables for each activity and a scale (0-5) summing participation. For dietary diversity, we used the Women’s Dietary Diversity Score using 10 food groups and 7 food groups for child diets. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess associations between EHFP participation and dietary diversity by season and AEZ, controlling for potential confounders and clustering. Results: In adjusted models, we found positive associations between dietary diversity and chicks, technical support, and EHFP beneficiary groups; the magnitude of the associations varied by season and AEZ. The degree of participation in 5 EHFP activities was positively associated with maternal dietary diversity in the terai (β = .24, P < .001) and mountains (β = .12, P = .01) and child dietary diversity in the terai (β = .35, P < .001) during the winter. No associations were found in the rainy season. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the potential for EHFP to address dietary diversity constraints among this population. Variation by subnational setting and seasonality suggest that policies and programs should be contextualized.

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

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10081010 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1010 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

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Crop diversity is associated with higher child diet diversity in Ethiopia, particularly among low-income households, but not in Vietnam

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021003281 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Erin E Esaryk ◽

Sarah Anne Reynolds ◽

Lia CH Fernald ◽

Andrew D Jones

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Positive Association ◽

Household Wealth ◽

Crop Diversity ◽

Food Groups ◽

Crop Species ◽

Diet Diversity ◽

Household Level ◽

Functional Richness

Abstract Objectives: To examine associations of household crop diversity with school-aged child dietary diversity in Vietnam and Ethiopia and mechanisms underlying these associations. Design: We created a child diet diversity score (DDS) using data on seven food groups consumed in the last 24 h. Generalised estimating equations were used to model associations of household-level crop diversity, measured as a count of crop species richness (CSR) and of plant crop nutritional functional richness (CNFR), with DDS. We examined effect modification by household wealth and subsistence orientation, and mediation by the farm’s market orientation. Setting: Two survey years of longitudinal data from the Young Lives cohort. Participants: Children (aged 5 years in 2006 and 8 years in 2009) from rural farming households in Ethiopia (n 1012) and Vietnam (n 1083). Results: There was a small, positive association between household CNFR and DDS in Ethiopia (CNFR–DDS, β = 0·13; (95 % CI 0·07, 0·19)), but not in Vietnam. Associations of crop diversity and child diet diversity were strongest among poor households in Ethiopia and among subsistence-oriented households in Vietnam. Agricultural earnings positively mediated the crop diversity–diet diversity association in Ethiopia. Discussion: Children from households that are poorer and those that rely more on their own agricultural production for food may benefit most from increased crop diversity.

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Income Level but Not Nutrition Knowledge Is Associated with Dietary Diversity of Rural Pregnant Women from Northern Ghana

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1155/2021/5581445 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Emmanuel Amoako Agyei ◽

Stephen Kofi Afrifa ◽

Adam Munkaila ◽

Patience Kanyiri Gaa ◽

Eugene Dogkotenge Kuugbee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin A ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Low Birthweight ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Rural District ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Northern Ghana ◽

Food Groups ◽

Essential Nutrients

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.

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Consumption and Beef Price Changes on Demand in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Agris on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics ◽

10.7160/aol.2021.130208 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 97-105

Author(s):

Doppy Roy Nendissa ◽

Ratya Anindita ◽

Nikmatul Khoiriyah ◽

Ana Arifatus Sa’diyah

Keyword(s):

Income Elasticity ◽

Milk Powder ◽

Chicken Meat ◽

Animal Protein ◽

Seemingly Unrelated Regression ◽

Demand Elasticity ◽

Demand System ◽

Estimation Of Parameters ◽

Fresh Fish ◽

On Demand

Households consume animal protein after carbohydrate food is fulfilled, moreover animal protein prices are increasing. This study aims to analyze the effect of rising beef prices on demand. The demand system approach uses the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) model. Estimation of parameters using Iterated non-linear Seemingly Unrelated Regression. The research data use the 2016 National Socio-Economic Survey (Susenas, 2016), amounting to 10,751 households. The results of the study concluded that beef is the third most elastic animal food after fresh fish and chicken meat. Fresh fish in the most elastic among all animal foods with a demand elasticity of 3.31%, followed by chicken, beef, milk powder, and eggs with demand elasticities of 1.55%, 1.62%, 1.29%, and 0.80%, respectively. Beef is a luxury item with an income elasticity of 1.59%, as well as fresh fish, chicken meat, and milk powder. While eggs are normal goods. Although fresh fish is more elastic than beef, beef marginal expenditure share (MES) is higher than fresh fish MES, so that in the long run, the increase in household income tends to increase beef consumption more than fresh fish.

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Concordance of Mother-Child (6–23 Months) Dietary Diversity and Its Associated Factors in Kucha District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1155/2021/8819846 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Tesfaye Guja ◽

Yabsira Melaku ◽

Eshetu Andarge

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Food Groups ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mothers And Children

Meeting minimum standards of dietary quality in mothers and children is a challenge in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal and child dietary diversity is associated, but little is known about the associated factors of concordance of mother-child dietary diversity in Ethiopia and none is documented in the study area. This study examines the concordance between mother-child (6–23 months) dyads dietary diversity and the associated factors in Kucha District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 791 mother-child (6–23 months) pairs from 11 selected kebeles on March 6 to April 13, 2017. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. The sampling frame was obtained from the family folder of health posts in each kebele. The mother-child pairs were selected by the simple random sampling method. The 7 food groups of the World Health Organization (WHO) for children and the 10 food groups of FANTA/FAO 2016 for mothers were used to analyze the dietary diversity. Cohen’s kappa statistics was calculated to see the strength of concordance. The multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to determine factors affecting mother-child dietary diversity concordance. A good concordance was noted between mother-child dietary diversity scores (Kappa = 0.43). Only 56 (7.1%) mothers were negative deviants, and 133 (16.8%) mothers were positive deviants in dietary diversity consumption. Rural residence (AOR = 3.49; 95% CI: 1.90–6.41), having no formal education (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.08–3.05), not owning milking cow (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.10–2.56), children with low dietary diversity (AOR = 8.23; 95% CI: 5.17–13.08), and mothers with low dietary diversity (AOR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.29–0.74) were found to be factors associated with mother-child dietary diversity concordance. An increase in the percentage of children reaching the minimum dietary diversity was greater with a successive increase in maternal dietary diversity. Despite interesting similarities between mothers and children dietary consumption, more than three-quarters of concordants did not achieve the recommended dietary diversity score (were low concordants). Interventions targeting on rural women’s access to high school education, home-based milking cow rearing, and promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture to meet the dietary requirements of mothers and children in a sustainable manner and public health efforts to improve child nutrition may be strengthened by promoting maternal dietary diversity due to its potential effect on the entire family.

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