Livestock-owning households of Kazakstan part 2: Food patterns and health- seasonal and regional analysis

Abstract

The present study reports linkages between livestock production, diet, and anemia in rural Kazakstan. Our objectives were to determine whether dietary intake of animal-source foods would differ seasonally and regionally, and to determine whether geographical regions with more frequent meat consumption would exhibit lower rates of anemia. Adult women (N = 270) from rural livestock-owning households were surveyed in three ecological regions of Kazakstan. Data were collected on household food resources, dietary practices, and health conditions, especially incidence of anemia, obesity, and undernutrition. All participants were of reproductive age (defined as 15-49 years), and neither pregnant nor lactating at time of survey. Anthropometry (heights and weights) were obtained from all women; hemoglobin data were obtained from a subset of respondents (n = 239). Anemia was prevalent in the survey population (38%). More women were overweight (36%) than underweight (6.3%). As expected, dietary patterns were seasonal, highly dependent on household food production, and closely related to type of livestock kept. Regional differences in diet were significant, with seasonal changes most pronounced in southern Kazak households. Diet and anemia were associated, but relationships were weak and counterintuitive: households with most frequent meat consumption exhibited higher rates of anemia than those with limited meat intake. Policymakers associated with anemia reduction programs in Kazakstan need to consider seasonal aspects of diet and regional differences in food consumption in order to be effective.