Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda.
Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, School of Food Science, Nutrition and Bio-Science Engineering, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
J Health Popul Nutr. 2023 Feb 22;42(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s41043-023-00351-z.
Karamoja sub-region is the most food insecure part of Eastern Africa. The poor status of food security in the sub-region is reflected in the high rate of undernutrition among women of childbearing age (WCBA) and children under 5 years (CUFY). The sub-region is unique in Uganda in terms of cultural diversity, agro-ecology and rainfall pattern and agricultural practices. However, the influence of these unique characteristics on dietary intake of WCBA in the sub-region is less understood. Therefore, this study examined dietary intake and socio-economic predictors of inadequate energy and nutrient intake among WCBA in Karamoja sub-region.
A longitudinal study design was used involving 755 WCBA in the harvesting season where 635 were followed-up in the planting season. Data were collected using 24-h recall, dietary diversity and socio-economic and demographic questionnaires.
Intake of energy and nutrients were generally significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the planting season than in the harvesting season. Irrespective of the district, physiological status and season, household consumption of plant-based foods was far higher than intake of animal-based foods dominated by starchy stables (76-100%), dark green leafy vegetables (70-100%) and legumes, nuts and seeds (22-97%) depending on the district. Majority of the respondents had two meals (breakfast: 65-100%; supper: 90-100%) with up to 45% of WCBA who consumed alcohol across meal times. .Overall on average, 57.7, 66.6, 78.5, 60.3, 67.7 and 93.7% of WCBA did not meet the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for energy, protein, calcium, iron, zinc and folic acid, respectively. Binary logistic regression revealed that inadequate intake of energy and nutrients significantly increased (p < 0.05) with the status of being lactating/breastfeeding and was influenced by age of WCBA, number of women married, education level and occupation of the household head depending on season.
This study demonstrated that dietary intake of WCBA in Karamoja sub-region was inadequate. Age of WCBA, number of women married, education level and occupation of the household head and spouse and being a lactating/breastfeeding mother were the key socio-economic and demographic factors that influenced inadequate intake of energy and nutrients among WCBA.
卡拉莫贾地区是东非粮食最不安全的地区之一。该地区粮食安全状况不佳，表现在育龄妇女（WBCA）和 5 岁以下儿童（CUFY）的营养不良率较高。该地区在文化多样性、农业生态和降雨模式以及农业实践方面在乌干达是独一无二的。然而，这些独特特征对该地区 WBCA 的饮食摄入的影响还不太了解。因此，本研究考察了卡拉莫贾地区 WBCA 能量和营养摄入不足的饮食摄入和社会经济预测因素。
采用纵向研究设计，在收获季节涉及 755 名 WBCA，其中 635 名在种植季节进行了随访。数据收集使用 24 小时回忆、饮食多样性和社会经济和人口统计问卷。
无论在哪个地区，生理状况和季节如何，无论在哪个地区，以淀粉为主的饲料（76-100%）、深绿色叶菜（70-100%）和豆类、坚果和种子（22-97%）为主的动物源性食物的摄入量都远远高于植物性食物的摄入量。在收获季节，无论在哪个地区，生理状况和季节如何，摄入的能量和营养物质普遍显著较高（p<0.05）。大多数受访者有两餐（早餐：65-100%；晚餐：90-100%），多达 45%的 WBCA 在进餐时饮酒。总体而言，平均有 57.7%、66.6%、78.5%、60.3%、67.7%和 93.7%的 WBCA 未能达到能量、蛋白质、钙、铁、锌和叶酸的推荐日摄入量（RDA）。二元逻辑回归显示，能量和营养摄入不足的情况随着哺乳期/哺乳期妇女的状况显著增加（p<0.05），并受到 WBCA 年龄、已婚妇女人数、教育水平和家庭户主职业的影响，取决于季节。
本研究表明，卡拉莫贾地区 WBCA 的饮食摄入不足。WBCA 的年龄、已婚妇女人数、教育水平和家庭户主职业以及哺乳期/哺乳期母亲是影响 WBCA 能量和营养摄入不足的关键社会经济和人口因素。
