Speaker
Ms
Pamela Marinda
(University of Zambia)
Description
This study examined the determinants of food consumption patterns amongst women of child-bearing age and children aged 6-59 months from urban poor settlements of Lusaka, with particular emphasis on the role of fish on dietary micronutrient contribution and nutritional status of women and children. A cross-sectional survey design was applied, in which 714 mother-child dyads were enrolled. A three-stage randomized cluster sampling approach was applied. A 24 hour recall and food frequency questionnaires were used to collect dietary data. The Calculator of Inadequate Micronutrient Intake (CIMI) programme, adapted for Zambia was used to calculate the nutrient intake and establish potential micronutrient gaps in women and children. The mean dietary diversity scores among children aged 6-23 and 24-59 months were 2.98 (±1.27) and 3.478 (±1.07), respectively. In children aged 6-23 months, there was a significant difference in their nutritional status, based on fish consumption (χ2=10.979, df = 2, p=0.004). Women and children from poorer households consumed mostly small fish (Kapenta). The quantity of fish consumed by children was significantly associated with stunting in both age groups, odds ratio=0.947 (95% CI: 0.896, 1.000) for children aged 6-23 months and odds ratio=1.038 (95% CI: 1.006, 1.072) for children aged 24-59 months old. Other significant risk factors for stunting in children aged 6-23 months were: child’s age, mother’s body mass index, access to treated water and child morbidity. Child’s age, mother’s educational level and wealth status were determinants of dietary diversity in children aged 6-59 months as shown by the Poisson regression. The mean nutrient intake of the study population for most micronutrients was below the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Children aged 6-12 months and 12-36 months had much lower micronutrient intakes, based on the RDA. Micronutrient gaps in children were observed in the following micronutrients: vitamin B2, vitamin B12, folic acid, potassium and magnesium. T-test indicated significant differences in the mean intakes of vitamin B2, vitamin B12, potassium, and magnesium amongst women and children who consumed fish and those who did not consume fish.
Conclusion:
Nutritional status of children aged 6-23 months is associated with fish consumption, with children consuming fish less likely to be stunted. Small fish (Kapenta) is an animal-source food that is particularly important in the diet of children in Zambia, contributing to better nutritional outcomes, and having the potential to increase the intake of several micronutrients, for example, niacin, vitamin B12, calcium, iron and zinc, and to a lesser extent, vitamin B2. Therefore, an increased consumption, both in frequency and in portion size of fish, especially small fish should be promoted to improve the micronutrient status of women and young children in Zambia.
Key words: Food and nutrition security; nutritional status, fish; dietary diversity, undernutrition, children, women, micronutrients, Zambia
| Institution | University of Zambia, Department Food Science and Nutrition |
|---|---|
| Country | Zambia |
Author
Ms
Pamela Marinda
(University of Zambia)
