Nutrition education, farm production diversity, and commercialization on household and individual dietary diversity in Zimbabwe

Abstract

BackgroundNutrition education is crucial for improved nutrition outcomes. However, there are no studies to the best of our knowledge that have jointly analysed the roles of nutrition education, farm production diversity and commercialization on household, women and child dietary diversity.ObjectiveThis article jointly analyses the role of nutrition education, farm production diversity and commercialization on household, women and children dietary diversity in Zimbabwe. In addition, we analyze separately the roles of crop and livestock diversity and individual agricultural practices on dietary diversity.DesignData were collected from 2,815 households randomly selected in eight districts. Negative binomial regression was used for model estimations.ResultsNutrition education increased household, women, and child dietary diversity by 3, 9 and 24%, respectively. Farm production diversity had a strong and positive association with household and women dietary diversity. Crop diversification led to a 4 and 5% increase in household and women dietary diversity, respectively. Furthermore, livestock diversification and market participation were positively associated with household, women, and children dietary diversity. The cultivation of pulses and fruits increased household, women, and children dietary diversity. Vegetable production and goat rearing increased household and women dietary diversity.ConclusionsNutrition education and improving access to markets are promising strategies to improve dietary diversity at both household and individual level. Results demonstrate the value of promoting nutrition education; farm production diversity; small livestock; pulses, vegetables and fruits; crop-livestock integration; and market access for improved nutrition.

Impacts of Caregivers’ Nutrition Knowledge and Food Market Accessibility on Preschool Children’s Dietary Diversity in Remote Communities in Southeast Nigeria

“…This may be due to food restrictions by some cultural practices common in Southeast Nigeria [13] and poor market access. Poor knowledge of appropriate feeding practices and diets could contribute to high level of child malnutrition; therefore, nutrition education, which creates awareness on the dangers of malnutrition and benefits of consuming healthy diets and diverse foods, is important [73,76]. Knowledge of appropriate feeding practices for under-five children reduces stunting, wasting, underweight and related diseases.…”

“…For instance, the fact that mothers/caregivers knew that babies should be given only breast milk for the first 180 days and that they should be given colostrum suggests clear understanding of appropriate dietary requirement necessary for the development and maintenance of healthy food habits. Developing a healthy and balanced dietary pattern is essential for the growth and development of preschool children and it will also influence their dietary and feeding habits after five years of age [73]. However, some caregivers believed that preschool children should not eat egg, meat, and snail, and variety of foods; instead, sick children (6-59 months) should be given more herbal concoctions rather than food.…”

“…This could be reasonable for market access since households with few persons may have more alternatives to reach-out to the market than their counterparts with large household size. An increase in farm size had an incremental effect on the dietary diversity because it provides for more food production, food production diversification, and income earnings [73].…”

Piloting a commercial broiler production model for smallholders in Rwanda

“…Previous studies highlight the positive relationship between owning livestock and improved diets [21,22]. In addition to owning livestock, nutrition education at the household level has been shown to enhance family nutritional outcomes [23,24]. Given the peaks of TI household bird consumption during periods of increased nutrition education and promotion activities, this highlights the potential impact these nutrition education interventions may have on household diet.…”

Keragaman Pangan dengan Status Kadarzi Keluarga di Wilayah Kerja Posyandu Sidotopo, Surabaya

“…Hasil temuan Andidiati menyatakan bahwa terdapat lebih dari 80% ibu balita belum menerapkan perilaku konsumsi makan *Koresponden: samaraikasp@gmail.com 1 Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik, Jawa Timur, Indonesia beragam setiap hari untuk balita 7 . Banyak faktor yang mempengaruhi perilaku ibu, diantaranya pengetahuan dan informasi yang didapat ibu mengenai gizi dan kesehatan 8,9,10 . Keragaman pangan dapat menggambarkan kualitas diet individu sehingga menilai dan meningkatkan kualitas diet layak mendapatkan perhatian tersendiri 11,12 .…”