Food security status and dietary intake among small farming families in Haiti (805.6)

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Food insecurity (FIS) greatly affects small farmer families in Haiti. This study includes 502 Haitian households where FIS was estimated using the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale. FIS was categorized as mild (7.2%), moderate (28.3%), and severe (62.0%) FIS; 2.5% of the households were food secure. Food consumption was estimated for the month previous to the interview using a food frequency questionnaire. Findings show significant differences (p<0.001) in the number of food items (fi) consumed at least once a week by FIS level: mild (33.5 fi), moderate (25.2 fi) and severe (22.1 fi). The number of staple food items consumed decreased as follows: mild FIS=7.5, moderate FIS=5.9, and severe FIS=5.0. Furthermore, with increasing FIS severity, mean food item consumption for nutrient dense food groups decreased, affecting the consumption of eggs, dairy, meat/fish, fruits and vegetables (p<0.001). Additionally to a decreased consumption in the number of fi, the proportion of households consuming animal source foods decreased as FIS increased. For example, the proportion of households consuming eggs was 69% (mild FIS), 50% (moderate FIS), and 35% (severe FIS). Sugar intake remained the same across FIS categories, though. These results indicate that dietary diversity might decrease, as FIS turns more severe. Lower protein and micronutrient intake might have negative impacts on the nutrition status of Haitian farmer families. Differences in food intake between FIS levels demonstrate the need for differentiated interventions by FIS level.