The paradox of food production, consumption, poverty and malnutrition in Tanzania: an ecological study design

Novatus Tesha,Malale Tungu,Hevenlight A Paulo,Alphoncina Kagaigai,Boniface Yohana

doi:10.12688/f1000research.74295.1

Novatus Tesha, Malale Tungu + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.74295.1

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Abstract

Background: There have been claims amongst nutrition stakeholders in Tanzania that the food basket regions, are the regions most affected by stunting among children. However, this study could not find evidence that combines food production and stunting levels, to substantiate this claim. Therefore, this study aims to compare data on stunting, food production and consumption within administrative regions of the Tanzania mainland. Methods: The study used an ecological study design to show the relationship between stunting, poverty, food production and consumption across administrative regions in Tanzania. The study used data from three national wide surveys: 2017/2018 Household Budget Survey (HBS), Tanzania National Nutrition Survey (TNNS) 2018 and Agriculture Statistics for Food Security report 2018/2019. Results: The study showed that there is a positive relationship between the prevalence of stunting and food production (r=0.43, p=0.03), while there is a negative relationship between stunting and the level of both the average monthly household consumption expenditure (r = -0.48, p = 0.01) and average monthly household food consumption expenditure (r = -0.509, p = 0.01). It was further found that some regions which have higher levels of stunting such as Njombe, have the lowest level of basic need poverty. Conclusion: The study found a positive relationship between food production and the prevalence of stunting using data across regions in mainland Tanzania. This is an indication that regional food security may not entail nutrition security, hence a call for more advocacy on nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

Highlights

Stunting, defined as being too short for one’s age, is among the important indicators to track children’s malnutrition.[1]
The prevalence of stunting in Tanzania decreased by 18% from the 1990s, from 50% of children to 32% in 2018.4 This rapid change was due to the different strategies taken by the government, in collaboration with development partners, including implementation of the National Nutrition Strategy 2011/2012 to 2015/20165 and the National Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Action Plan 2016 – 2021.6 this level is still high as per the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended thresholds (>= 30%)
Study design and data source This is an ecological study design using secondary data compiled from three sources: Tanzania Household Budget Survey (HBS) 2017/2018,15 Tanzania National Nutrition Survey (TNNS) 20184 and Agriculture Statistics for Food Security report 2018/2019.16 Both HBS and TNNS are national-wise cross-sectional data organized by the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Ministry of Health respectively, while Agriculture Statistics for Food Security report 2018/2019 was prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture

Summary

Introduction

Stunting, defined as being too short for one’s age, is among the important indicators to track children’s malnutrition.[1]. WHO defines levels of stunting in four levels: low (=40).[13,14] Despite the decrease in the prevalence level, the number of stunted children is increasing It increased from 2.5 million in 2005 to 3 million in 2018.7 The disparity exists across regions in Tanzania Mainland. Conclusion: The study found a positive relationship between food production and the prevalence of stunting using data across regions in mainland Tanzania. This is an indication that regional food security may not entail nutrition security, a call for more advocacy on nutrition-sensitive agriculture

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