Dietary diversity of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households in rural Zambia
IntroductionSoybean farming in Zambia is promoted to increase farm productivity and diversification away from maize, and improve cash income and livelihoods for farmers. However, the impact of soybean farming on women's dietary intake is not clear. This study compares the dietary diversity of w...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1115801/full |
| _version_ | 1797848171218468864 |
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| author | Ndashe Kapulu Ndashe Kapulu Christian Chomba Chewe Nkonde Melvin Holmes Simon Manda Harriet E. Smith Jennie I. Macdiarmid Caroline Orfila |
| author_facet | Ndashe Kapulu Ndashe Kapulu Christian Chomba Chewe Nkonde Melvin Holmes Simon Manda Harriet E. Smith Jennie I. Macdiarmid Caroline Orfila |
| author_sort | Ndashe Kapulu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionSoybean farming in Zambia is promoted to increase farm productivity and diversification away from maize, and improve cash income and livelihoods for farmers. However, the impact of soybean farming on women's dietary intake is not clear. This study compares the dietary diversity of women from soybean (S) and non-soybean (NS) farming households as a pathway to understanding policy efficacy.MethodsA cross-sectional survey involving 268 women of reproductive age from 401 rural households was conducted in two soybean-producing districts of Central Province, Zambia. Data from a qualitative 7-day food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to calculate dietary diversity scores (DDS), women's dietary diversity scores (WDDS-10) and assess dietary patterns. Information on household sociodemographic and agricultural characteristics was used to explore determinants of dietary diversity.ResultsResults show there were no significant differences in the mean DDS (S: 10.3 ± 2.4; NS:10.3 ± 2.6) and WDDS-10 (S:6.27 ± 1.55; NS:6.27 ± 1.57) of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households. Both cohorts had similar dietary patterns, plant-based food groups with additional fats and oils. Agricultural diversity was not associated with dietary diversity. Household wealth status was the most important determinant of dietary diversity, as women from wealthier households were more likely to have higher DDS (β = 0.262, 95% CI = 0.26 to 0.70, P < 0.001) and WDDS-10 (β = 0.222, 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.37, P < 0.003) compared to those from poorer households. Women from households that spent more on food had a higher DDS (β = 0.182, 95% CI = 0.002 to 0.07), but not WDDS-10 (β = 0.120, 95% CI = −0.01 to 0.03); for every additional dollar spent on food in the past 7 days, the DDS increased by 0.18. Meanwhile, soyabean farming was not statistically associated with higher wealth.ConclusionsPolicymakers and promoters of agricultural diversification and nutrition-sensitive agriculture need to consider how women can benefit directly or indirectly from soybean farming or other interventions aimed at smallholder farmers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T18:24:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-54b64fbdbfd84fc1a75fa54bf569599a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-581X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T18:24:14Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-54b64fbdbfd84fc1a75fa54bf569599a2023-04-12T05:06:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2023-04-01710.3389/fsufs.2023.11158011115801Dietary diversity of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households in rural ZambiaNdashe Kapulu0Ndashe Kapulu1Christian Chomba2Chewe Nkonde3Melvin Holmes4Simon Manda5Harriet E. Smith6Jennie I. Macdiarmid7Caroline Orfila8Faculty of Environment, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomZambia Agriculture Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Chilanga, ZambiaAgricultural Consultative Forum, Lusaka, ZambiaDepartment of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZambiaFaculty of Environment, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomSchool of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomSchool of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomThe Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United KingdomFaculty of Environment, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomIntroductionSoybean farming in Zambia is promoted to increase farm productivity and diversification away from maize, and improve cash income and livelihoods for farmers. However, the impact of soybean farming on women's dietary intake is not clear. This study compares the dietary diversity of women from soybean (S) and non-soybean (NS) farming households as a pathway to understanding policy efficacy.MethodsA cross-sectional survey involving 268 women of reproductive age from 401 rural households was conducted in two soybean-producing districts of Central Province, Zambia. Data from a qualitative 7-day food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to calculate dietary diversity scores (DDS), women's dietary diversity scores (WDDS-10) and assess dietary patterns. Information on household sociodemographic and agricultural characteristics was used to explore determinants of dietary diversity.ResultsResults show there were no significant differences in the mean DDS (S: 10.3 ± 2.4; NS:10.3 ± 2.6) and WDDS-10 (S:6.27 ± 1.55; NS:6.27 ± 1.57) of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households. Both cohorts had similar dietary patterns, plant-based food groups with additional fats and oils. Agricultural diversity was not associated with dietary diversity. Household wealth status was the most important determinant of dietary diversity, as women from wealthier households were more likely to have higher DDS (β = 0.262, 95% CI = 0.26 to 0.70, P < 0.001) and WDDS-10 (β = 0.222, 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.37, P < 0.003) compared to those from poorer households. Women from households that spent more on food had a higher DDS (β = 0.182, 95% CI = 0.002 to 0.07), but not WDDS-10 (β = 0.120, 95% CI = −0.01 to 0.03); for every additional dollar spent on food in the past 7 days, the DDS increased by 0.18. Meanwhile, soyabean farming was not statistically associated with higher wealth.ConclusionsPolicymakers and promoters of agricultural diversification and nutrition-sensitive agriculture need to consider how women can benefit directly or indirectly from soybean farming or other interventions aimed at smallholder farmers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1115801/fullsoydietary diversityZambiafood systemwomenfarm production diversity |
| spellingShingle | Ndashe Kapulu Ndashe Kapulu Christian Chomba Chewe Nkonde Melvin Holmes Simon Manda Harriet E. Smith Jennie I. Macdiarmid Caroline Orfila Dietary diversity of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households in rural Zambia Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems soy dietary diversity Zambia food system women farm production diversity |
| title | Dietary diversity of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households in rural Zambia |
| title_full | Dietary diversity of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households in rural Zambia |
| title_fullStr | Dietary diversity of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households in rural Zambia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dietary diversity of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households in rural Zambia |
| title_short | Dietary diversity of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households in rural Zambia |
| title_sort | dietary diversity of women from soybean and non soybean farming households in rural zambia |
| topic | soy dietary diversity Zambia food system women farm production diversity |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1115801/full |
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