The Impact of a Household Food Garden Intervention on Food Security in Lesotho

Abstract

Food insecurity is a challenge in the developing world, where many are finding healthy food inaccessible due to poverty. A pre-test, post-test design was applied to determine the impact of a vegetable gardening intervention in 25 experimental and 25 control households in Lesotho. Information about sociodemographic conditions and indicators of food security was collected by trained fieldworkers. As evidenced by the Living Poverty Index of 2.5, the sample was characterized by high levels of poverty. Although almost no households were scored very low or low using the Months of Adequate Household Food Provisioning (MAHFP) tool, less than half of households were categorized as food-secure. Household Dietary Diversity (HDD) showed infrequent intake of vegetables and fruits and regular intake of fats and sugar. After intervention, the percentage of households with a low HDD score improved significantly in the intervention group (12%) compared to the control group (40%) (95% CI (2.5%; 50.7%)). Despite this, the percentage of households that consumed vegetables during the previous day was still below 30%. Food gardens have the potential to improve availability of food and frequency of vegetable consumption, but harsh environmental conditions need to be considered.

Dietary Patterns, Food Insecurity, and Their Relationships with Food Sources and Social Determinants in Two Small Island Developing States

“…In Lesotho, a region where food sharing is a common cultural practice, it was reported that a household gardening intervention reduced the proportion of households with low DD from 28% to 12%. The intervention also resulted in small increases in the intake of vitamin A-rich vegetables and other vegetables [ 42 ]. Thus, promotion of appropriately designed home gardening interventions could be a simple, culturally appropriate way to improve DD by home-grown foods being available for BEB.…”

The impact of food insecurity on mental health among older adults residing in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

“…Studies have shown unconditional cash transfers improve food security and mental health [138,139]. Community gardens are another initiative that can be implemented to diversify diets further and increase the consumption of foods and vegetables [140,141]. Increased training on agricultural activities, especially agroecological practices, could help improve nutrition awareness [142], healthy diets and kitchen gardening [143].…”

Impact of a nutrition education intervention on nutrition-related self-efficacy and locus of control among women in Lesotho

“….evious studies in Lesotho have shown that Basotho women lack nutrition-related knowledge and that their dietary intake is largely inadequate. As a result, their nutritional status is challenged and they present with high levels of malnutrition, including both undernutrition, overnutrition, and micro-nutrient deficiencies (8)(9)(10). Although undocumented nutrition-related initiatives have been undertaken in Lesotho (including radio talks and presentations at women's groups), most of these are fragmented and focused on single topics (8).…”