Child dietary diversity and food (in)security as a potential correlate of child anthropometric indices in the context of urban food system in the cases of north-central Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relation of child dietary diversity and household food insecurity along with other socio-demographic with child anthropometric indices in north-central Ethiopia, an area with a high level of food insecurity and inadequate diet quality. Design A community-based cross-sectional study was used. Settings The study was conducted in Dessie and Combolcha towns of north-central Ethiopia from April to May 2018. Participants Randomly selected 512 mother-child pairs with child’s age range of 6–59 months. Results The mean (± SD) scores of weight-for-height/length, height/length-for-age, weight-for-age, and BMI-for-age Z-scores were 1.35 (± 2.03), − 1.89 (± 1.79), 0.05 (± 1.54), and 1.39 (± 2.06), respectively. From all anthropometric indicators, stunting and overweight/obesity remained the severe public issues hitting 43% and 42% of the children, respectively. In the model, mothers’ age and education and child’s age, sex, and dietary diversity were significantly related with child height-for-age Z-score while place of residence, sex of household head, child’s age, and dietary diversity score were the predictors of child BMI-for-age Z-score in the urban contexts of the study area. Nevertheless, food insecurity was not related to any of the child anthropometric indices. Conclusion The double burden of malnutrition epidemics (stunting and obesity) coexisted as severe public health concerns in urban settings. Anthropometric statuses of children were affected by multidimensional factors and seek strong integration and immediate intervention of multiple sectors.

Hunger and Its Associated Factors in the Western Brazilian Amazon: a Population-based Study

“…Among the characteristics analysed, low income, participation in governmental income transfer programs and schooling of the head of the household were associated with MSFI. These ndings are compatible with data described by other authors [19].…”

Hunger and Its Associated Factors in an Urban Cluster in the Western Brazilian Amazon: A Population-Based Study

“…These results overcome, as well, data from a recent Brazilian Report, which points to the Northern Region as the most affected by hunger in the country [10]. In the same direction, the index of severe FI found in the present study exceeds the high prevalence identified in children from Ethiopia, a country that still lives with hunger and malnutrition in urban environments [19]. Among the characteristics analyzed, a low income, participation in governmental income transfer programs and schooling of the head of the household were associated with moderate to severe food insecurity (MSFI).…”

Exploring Spatial Variations and Determinants of Dietary Diversity Among Children in Ethiopia: Spatial and Multilevel Analysis Using EDHS (2011–2016)

“…The design and development of the conceptual framework for the study were guided by the literature review for factors that are associated with children's DD. 3,[7][8][9]12,13,15,[17][18][19][20][21] These cover factors related to child, maternal, household, and community characteristics that impact children's diet. The main exposure variables were wealth, household food insecurity access, mother's marital status, family size, maternal age, maternal education, maternal occupation, child sex, child age in a month, paternal education, paternal occupation, and child's place of birth order.…”

“…4 DD is the potential determinant of a child’s linear growth and it has a predisposing correlation with a child’s body fat composition. 4 , 7 Poor diets, on the other hand, are a major contributor to the rising occurrence of anthropometric failures in children. 8 , 9 Consumption of a varied diet has been linked to a reduction in childhood malnutrition.…”

“… 8 , 9 Consumption of a varied diet has been linked to a reduction in childhood malnutrition. 7 Undernutrition manifests in the forms of wasting, stunting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies. 10 , 11 Lack of food access, low food utilization, and large seasonal fluctuations in food security are the main causes of child wasting and stunting.…”