Predictors Of Dietary Diversity Research Articles

Magnitude and Predictors of Dietary Diversity among HIV-Infected Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy: The Case of North-Western, Ghana.

Though people living with HIV/AIDS require a good combination of antiretroviral therapy and healthy dietary habits for a quality life and positive medical outcomes, little is, however, known regarding the dietary practices of HIV-positive patients who receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Lawra Municipality. This study assessed the magnitude and factors associated with dietary diversity among HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study was a facility-based cross-sectional study of 269 study participants recruited using a systematic random sampling technique. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with their dietary diversity. This study shows that only 36 (13.4%) of the sample consumed a diversified diet with a mean dietary diversity score of 3.7 ± 0.99. Starchy staple foods (96.7%) and flesh food (92.9%) were the most consumed foods. Being a nonfarmer employee (AOR = 10.76, 95% CI = 1.03-112.35), not taking cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI = 1.02-14.37) and adults of age 18-27 years (AOR = 5.95, 95% CI = 1.18-30.07) were significant predictors of high dietary diversity. This study revealed that dietary diversity was a significant nutritional problem among HIV-positive adults in Lawra Municipal Hospital. Starchy staple foods and flesh food were the most consumed foods, while organ meats, dairy products, and eggs were eaten less. Having a secured salary paid job, not taking cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, and being a young adult were strong predictors of a high dietary diversity score. Therefore, efforts should be made to strengthen and improve the economic status and to educate these vulnerable groups on the need to adhere to cotrimoxazole prophylaxis uptake.

Factors associated with food consumption and dietary diversity among infants aged 6-18 months in Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Studies have reported a poor diet quality among children in Ghana and other developing countries. Inadequate dietary diversity among children may lead to deficiencies in micronutrient intake necessary for growth and other cognitive functions. Understanding factors associated with infants' diverse diets is a key step to promoting adequate infant and young child nutrition. This study sought to determine the factors associated with food consumption and dietary diversity (DD) among infants. In this cross-sectional study among 1503 mothers-infant (aged 6-18 months) pairs from rural, urban, and peri-urban districts of Ashanti Region, factors associated with food consumption and DD were evaluated. The FAO 18-food group DD questionnaire was used to determine previous food group intake, while a structured questionnaire was used to capture data on the mother's socio-demographic parameters and child morbidity. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression to compare mothers and infants who had adequate and inadequate DDS of 9 out of 18 food groups and the predictors of dietary diversity. About 64.7% of the infants did not meet the minimum dietary diversity. Over two-third (77.4%) of the children consumed maize porridge the previous day. Foods which were less consumed included vegetables (35%), animal milk (38.9%), and meat (organ 14%, any meat 26%). The mean food group intake from 18 food groups was 7.0, and the majority (64.7%) did not meet the recommended 9 food group intake. Significantly more younger children (6-11 months) (74%, p<0.001) compared with older children (12-18 months) (52.5%) did not meet the minimum DDS. Also compared with the older children, the younger ones had above two times increased odds of inadequate DD (OR = 2.5, p<0.001, 95% CI = 1.4-4.4). When controlled for gender, children from peri-urban areas (OR = 5.2, p = 0.260, 95% CI = 0.2-93.2) and rural areas (OR = 1.8, p = 0.650, 95% CI = 0.2-9.3) had increased odds of lower DD than urban children. Children of unemployed caregivers had an increased odds of low DD (OR = 2.3 p<0.001, 95% CI 1.7-3.2) compared with children of employed caregivers. Finally, children of caregivers with better nutrition knowledge (nine correct answers from 12 questions) had lower odds of having lower dietary diversity (adjusted OR = 0.9, p = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.5-1.6) than those with less knowledge. Low DD was common among infants and associated with infants age, caregivers' areas of residence, employment status, and level of nutrition education. Children who did not meet the minimum dietary diversity were not fed particular foods such as vegetables, animal milk, and organ meat. Proper maternal nutrition education and feeding practices targeting age-specific needs and community livelihood support systems are necessary to improve dietary diversity of infants.

Dietary Diversity, Nutritional Status, and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women in Their First Trimester of Pregnancy in Ambo District, Western Ethiopia

Background: Poor dietary diversity and undernutrition is a major public health concern for pregnant mothers. Optimal dietary diversity is essential during pregnancy since nutritional deficiencies may have a significant impact on both the mother’s and the fetus’s health. Pregnant women in Ambo district had inadequate dietary diversity and were undernourished, but their status during the first trimester of pregnancy was not known. As a result, the objective of this research was to assess the dietary diversity, nutritional status, and associated factors among pregnant women in the Ambo district. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design and a multi-stage sampling technique were used among 750 pregnant women. Data was gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire. The Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance questionnaire was modified to collect data on dietary diversity. The nutritional status of pregnant women was assessed by measuring the mid-upper arm circumference. First, descriptive statistics like mean, Standard deviation, frequency and percentage were used, then bivariable and, finally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of the predictors with the outcome variable. Result: The study revealed that 73.6% and 23.9% of pregnant women had low dietary diversity and were undernourished, respectively. Being in food secured household (AOR = 4.44, 95% CI: 2.14-9.15), having good knowledge (AOR = 3.32, 95% CI: 2.10-5.23) and favorable attitude toward nutrition and health (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.10-2.66) were significantly associated with dietary diversity, whereas household size (having 1-3 household members AOR = 6.59, 95% CI: 2.53-17.21, having 4-5 household members AOR = 5.62, 95% CI: 3.15-9.99), being in food secured household (AOR = 5.64, 95% CI: 2.79-11.38), having high dietary diversity (AOR = 8.49, 95% CI: 2.47-29.23), and having optimal practice on nutrition and health (AOR = 6.85, 95% CI: 3.23-14.55) were significantly associated with undernutrition ( P &lt; .05). Conclusions: The current study revealed that pregnant women in the study area had inadequate dietary diversity practices and a high prevalence of undernutrition. Knowledge and attitude, and households’ food security status were the predictors of dietary diversity, while household size, household food security status, dietary diversity and nutrition and health practice were predictors of undernutrition. Hence, behavior change communication needs to be designed to improve the dietary diversity and nutritional status of pregnant women.

Level and predictors of dietary diversity among pregnant women in rural South-West Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo assess the magnitude of dietary diversity and associated factors among pregnant women in the rural communities of Jimma Zone, south-west Ethiopia.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 June...

Nearly One in Three Lactating Mothers Is Suffering from Inadequate Dietary Diversity in Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background In developing countries, dietary diversity is a challenge for rural communities especially pregnancy and lactation. Malnourished mothers are unable to combat disease and feed adequate nutrients to their children, and this will in turn affect the socioeconomic development of the country. To date, there is paucity of evidence regarding predictors of dietary diversity among lactating mothers in developing countries. The main objective of this study was to determine the extent and predictors of dietary diversity among lactating mothers in Lay Gayint District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed on 416 systematically selected lactating mothers from March 1–30, 2018. The data were collected using pretested interviews. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21 software. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the predictors of dietary diversity. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p ≤ 0.05 were used to test the association. Result A total of 268 (65.7%) lactating mothers had inadequate dietary diversity. Adequate dietary diversity was significantly associated with mobile phone usage (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.15–4.55); practice of home gardening (OR: 4.1; 95% CI: 1.71–9.87); pulses production (OR: 4.8; 95% CI: 2.50–9.32); delivery in health center (OR: 4.7; 95% CI: 1.80–12.25); food secured household (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.25–4.62); three meals per day within the previous seven days (OR: 11.12; 95% CI: 2.74–45.24); and practice of income generating activity (OR: 4.00; 95% CI: 2–8.33). Conclusion Meal frequency, home gardening practices, pulses production, delivery at health center, practice of income generating activity, food insecurity, and mobile phone usage had significant association with dietary diversity. Therefore, concerned bodies should design multidimensional livelihood and health service programs to alleviate inadequate dietary diversity.

Food Consumption Patterns and Predictors of Dietary Diversity in Pastoral Communities of Ngorongoro District, Tanzania

The aim of this study was to assess the patterns of household food consumption and examine the factors influencing dietary diversity. Data were collected from 238 randomly selected households. Food consumption was assessed in terms of Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) with a range of 0-12. The minimum and maximum DDS were one and eight, respectively. Groups of food consumed were classified into four Quantiles (Q) and households were categorized based on quartile cut-points: Q1 (1-3 DDS), Q2 (4), Q3 (5-6) and Q4 (7-8). Chi square test was used to assess the association between the food groups and quartile level. Ordered probit regression was employed to examine determinants for household dietary diversity. Results show that more than four in ten households (43.3%) consumed less than the minimum recommended four groups of food. Proportions of households consistently decreased with increasing quartile level (43.3% in Q1 to 6.7% in Q4). Only 18% of the households were in the upper quartiles (Q3 and Q4). The DDS means by quartiles were 2.47 (Q1), 4.00 (Q2), 5.00 (Q3) and 5.89 (Q4) with the overall mean DDS of 3.52. While cereal (96.2% of the households) was the most consumed food group, there was limited consumption of vegetables (12.6%), fruits (4.2%) and fish (2.9%). Food accessibility and livelihood diversification were the major determinants of dietary diversity. Demographic and socio-economic factors mediated household’s dietary diversity at varying degree of influence.

Dietary Diversity among Children Aged 6-23 Months in Aleta Wondo District, Southern Ethiopia.

Background Dietary diversity (DD) is among the core infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators. However, in many developing countries, meeting the minimum standards of DD is challenging and information concerning its determinants is limited. Objective To assess the level and predictors of DD among children aged 6–23 months in rural communities of Aleta Wondo district, Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia. Method A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Aleta Wondo in February 2016. Multistage sampling was employed to recruit 502 children aged 6–23 months. DD was assessed by asking the mother whether the index child had received food from the standard seven food groups in the previous day, without setting minimum intake restrictions. Ultimately, the dietary diversity score (DDS) was rated on a 7-point scale, and it was modeled using linear regression analysis. The outputs are presented using adjusted regression coefficients (β). Results Only 12.0% (95% confidence interval: 9.0–15.0%) of the children met the minimum recommended DD, receiving from four or more from seven food groups. The analysis identified eleven significant predictors of DDS. As the maternal knowledge of IYCF increases by a unit, DDS raised by 0.21 units (p = 0.004). Unit increment in the husband's involvement in the IYCF score was linked with 0.32 units improvement in DDS (p = 0.016). One unit change in the ordinal category of household food insecurity was associated with 0.13 reduction in DDS (p = 0.001). Similarly, household wealth index (β = 0.54, p = 0.041), father's literacy (β = 0.48, p = 0.002), ownership of home garden (β = 0.38, p = 0.01), mother's participation in cooking demonstrations (β = 0.19, p = 0.036), and child age in months (β = 0.04, p = 0.001) were all positively associated with DDS. Furthermore, receiving IYCF information via mass media (β = 0.04, p = 0.001) and during antenatal (β = 0.91, p = 0.022) and postnatal checkups (β = 0.21, p = 0.043) were positive predictors of DDS. Conclusions Promoting the socioeconomic status of the community, strengthening of home gardening, involving husbands in IYCF, and enhancing maternal knowledge of IYCF may advance DD.

Predictors of dietary diversity in children ages 6 to 23 mo in largely food-insecure area of South Wollo, Ethiopia

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the level and predictors of dietary diversity (DD) in predominantly food-insecure area of South Wollo, Ethiopia among children ages 6 to 23 mo. MethodsThe study was conducted in October 2014. We selected 2080 children using a multistage sampling technique. DD in the preceding day of the survey was assessed with the standard seven-food group score. Predictors of DD were identified via Poisson regression model and the outputs are presented using adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). ResultsOnly 7% (95% CI, 5.9%–8.1%) of the children met the recommended minimum DD. Child age and maternal knowledge of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) were significant predictors of DD with IRR of 1.027 (95% CI, 1.022–1.032) and 1.026 (95% CI, 1.010–1.043). Households with moderate and severe food insecurity had 9% (95% CI, 3.8–13.9%) and 24.9% (95% CI, 14.6–44%) reduced chance of providing diversified food. Husbands' direct involvement in IYCF increased DD by 13.7% (95% CI, 7.4–20.4). Caregivers who discussed IYCF with health extension workers, participated in cooking demonstrations, and heard radio spots about IYCF in the preceding 3 mo had 11.7% (95% CI, 3.4–20.7%), 18.9% (95% CI, 0.3–40.9%), and 11.4% (95% CI, 4.8–18.4) higher chance of providing diversified food, respectively. Backyard gardening (IRR, 1.088; 95% CI, 1.031–1.148) and number of chickens owned (IRR, 1.011; 95% CI, 1.001–1.021) also were significant predictors. ConclusionsIn predominately food-insecure areas, nutrition education, implementation of nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and husband involvement in IYCF can improve children's DD.