Journal
ECOLOGY OF FOOD AND NUTRITION
Volume 60, Issue 1, Pages 44-69Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC
DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2020.1789865
Keywords
Seasonal variation; food insecurity; dietary diversity; wasting; stunting; Ethiopia
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study in drought-prone areas of Sidama, Ethiopia, found seasonal patterns of household food insecurity, dietary diversity, and household characteristics influencing wasting and stunting among children. Severe food insecurity was higher in the pre-harvest season, while stunting showed seasonal variations with higher prevalence in December. Household characteristics like poverty level, education, occupation, and food insecurity were associated with subsequent wasting and stunting.
This study was conducted to evaluate seasonal patterns of household food insecurity, dietary diversity, and household characteristics on wasting and stunting among children in households followed for 1 year in the drought-prone areas of Sidama, Ethiopia. A cohort study design was employed. Data were collected on the pre-harvest season (March and June) and post-harvest season (September and December) of 2017. We studied 935 children aged 6 to 47 months. At four seasons over a year, we had 3,449 observations from 897 households and 82% (2,816) (95% CI: 80.3-82.9) were food in-secured households. Severe food insecurity was higher in the pre-harvest (March; food scarcity season) which was 69% as compared to 50% of September (P< .001). From 3,488 observations, 44% (1,533) (95% CI: 42.3-45.6) of children were stunted. Stunting showed seasonal variations with 38% (95% CI: 34.7-41.0) in March and 49% (95% CI: 45.8-52.5) in December. Six percent (95% CI: 5.0-6.6) of children were wasted, with higher prevalence in March (8%) as compared to 3% of September (P< .001). Moreover, household characteristics such as poverty level, education, occupation and the household food insecurity and dietary diversity were associated with subsequent wasting and stunting.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available