251. Household food insecurity but not dietary diversity is associated with children's mean micronutrient density adequacy in rural communities across Ghana.
- Author
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Christian AK, Marquis GS, Colecraft EK, Lartey A, and Soueida R
- Subjects
- Agriculture statistics & numerical data, Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Child, Preschool, Female, Ghana, Humans, Male, Nutritional Status, Diet statistics & numerical data, Family Characteristics, Food Supply statistics & numerical data, Micronutrients analysis, Rural Population statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine predictors of household food insecurity, dietary diversity, and children's mean micronutrient density adequacy and the relationship among these dietary measures., Method: Baseline analysis of a quasi-experimental 16-mo intervention study conducted in 12 rural communities in the three main agroecological zones in Ghana. The study included 608 caregivers with their 2- to 5-y-old children. Nutrient density adequacy was estimated for a subsample of 120 children., Results: Food insecurity was more severe among farming households than their non-farming counterparts (P = 0.032). Dietary diversity score was significantly higher among non-farming households than farming households (P < 0.001). Food insecurity was negatively correlated with both household dietary diversity (r = -0.385; P < 0.001) and child mean micronutrient adequacy (r = -0.305; P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between dietary diversity and children's mean micronutrient density adequacy. Belonging to a household that is severely food insecure and household size were significant predictors of children's mean micronutrient density adequacy (ß = -0.124, P = 0.006; ß = 0.011, P = 0.006, respectively)., Conclusion: Household food insecurity continues to be a good indicator of lower nutrient intake in children., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2019
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