Food production diversity based on food groups is associated with minimum dietary diversity and dietary diversity among lactating mothers residing in subsistence farming households in rural Kyankwanzi district, Uganda.

BACKGROUND

Consuming a variety of food groups is a proxy indicator of micronutrient adequacy among women of reproductive age (WRA). This study examined the association between minimum food group production diversity (MFGPD) and minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W); and the correlation between food group production diversity (FGPD) and women's dietary diversity (WDD) among lactating mothers in rural Kyankwanzi district, central Uganda.

METHOD

Lactating mothers residing in subsistence farming households (HH) were recruited by systematic sampling. The outcome variables were WDD and MDD-W. A respondent scored either "1" or "0" if she consumed or did not consume any of the 10 food groups in the previous 24 h, respectively. The WDD was calculated as the total of all food group scores. The respondent was considered to have achieved MDD-W if she consumed ≥ 5 out of the 10 food groups. The main exposure variables were FGPD and MFGPD. The food groups used to classify foods on the farm were the same as the 10 food group classifications used in the MDD-W. The FGPD was calculated as the total of all food group scores on the farm. The MFGPD was achieved if the farm had ≥ 5 of the 10 food groups. The association between FGPD and WDD was tested by Poisson regression analysis. The association between MFGPD and MDD-W was tested by logistic regression analysis. A test was significant at 95% confidence interval(CI) and P value < 0.05.

RESULTS

There was a positive correlation between WDD and FGPD, adjusted β:0.15 (95%CI 0.13-0.16, P < 0.0001). Lactating mothers who achieved MFGPD were more likely to achieve MDD-W, adjusted odds ratio (AOR): of 8.6 (95% CI: 5.6-13.0, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The MFGPD is positively associated with MDD-W, while WDD increases as FGPD increases among lactating mothers in the study area. Promoting food production diversity based on food groups has the potential to improve WDD and achieve MDD-W among lactating mothers in the study area.