Anthropometrics, Hemoglobin Status and Dietary Micronutrient Intake among Tanzanian and Mozambican Pigeon Pea Farmers

Abstract

Inadequate consumption of micronutrient-dense and protein-rich foods such as vegetables, legumes and meat is an important contributing cause for anemia and deficiencies of vitamin A and iron in rural communities of Tanzania and Mozambique. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status (anthropometrics and hemoglobin) and diets in particular micronutrient intake of female and male pigeon pea farmers from Lindi, Tanzania, and Gurué, the Zambézia province of Mozambique. A total of 1526 farmers (669 from Tanzania, 857 from Mozambique) were studied, of whom 16% were overweight and 35% were anemic. The highest prevalence of overweight and anemia, at 35% and 48%, was observed in Tanzanian and Mozambican women, respectively. Overall, only a small proportion of women and men reached the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin A (10%), iron (51%) and zinc (44%). Multiple regression models revealed that dark green leafy vegetables (DGLVs) highly predicted vitamin A intake, whereas legumes in Tanzania and starchy plants in Mozambique were actually the dominant sources of vitamin A. Cereals covered over half of the iron and the zinc intake in both countries. An increased consumption of micronutrient-rich DGLVs and legumes, while reducing the high amounts of refined maize or polished rice, is suggested to counteract the high prevalence of anemia and overweight among smallholder farmers in East and South Eastern Africa.

Food-Based Intervention for Boosting Micronutrient Status and Health - A Comprehensive Review

“…Furthermore, even a little quantity of traditionally consumed, locally grown vegetables could boost micronutrient intake, enhance general health and nutritional status. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that greater crop diversification can improve our diets by raising calorie and nutrient consumption [6,7,9,12,27]. These results highlight the significance of encouraging crop diversity and vegetable-based agricultural methods to enhance the nutritional status and health of vulnerable communities.…”

“…In Tanzania and Ghana, younger children's mean hemoglobin levels and anemia were found to be significantly affected by improved home gardening programs [9,12,19]. In Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana, and Burkina Faso, it was reported that nutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions had an effect on the variety of maternal and child diets, food intake, micronutrient status, and weight-specific nutritional status markers [2,8,19,22,25,29].…”

“…24-hour recall to determine how much of each food was consumed overall the day before Correlation with Dark Green Leafy Vegetables Hemoglobin (hemoglobinometer) [12]. 24 h food recalls.…”

“…An analysis of a nutrition education and food supplementation program's effects on biomarkers of iron and vitamin A status in pregnant women was done in Tanzania [12,26]. The program included nutritional education and interventions like consuming fruits and vegetables rich in iron and vitamin A.…”