Dietary Intakes of Fe, Zn and Protein and Anthropometric Measures of Mothers and Children Living in Pulse or Cereal-Growing Rural Communities of Ethiopia

Abstract

Objectives: In pulse and cereal-based agricultural communities, we compared the nutrition of mothers and children (<5y) through anthropometric and dietary assessment. Methods: A between-group design (Feb-July 2013) was applied in purposively selected pulse (Holagoba Kukie, Halaba-HK, n~200) and cereal-growing (Edo-Qontola, Zeway-EQ, n~200) communities in Ethiopia. Dietary diversity scores (DDS) were assessed using FAO guidelines. Median intakes of Fe, Zn and protein were determined from weighed food records representative of weekly intake. Maternal undernutrition was set at a BMI<18.5 and WHO guidelines were used for stunting, wasting and underweight in children. Results: DDS for mothers and children (6-60 mth) based on 9 food groups, was 3 for both communities. Consumption from animal sources was minimal. Intakes of protein (61.9 g), Fe (64.1mg) and Zn (13.7 mg) for HK mothers were higher compared to 42.8 g, 44.3 mg and 9.3 mg in EQ mothers. Corresponding protein, Fe and Zn values for children were 17.1 g, 18.1 mg and 3.5 mg in HK and 18.5 g, 17.4 mg and 4.1 mg in EQ, respectively. Prevalence of low BMI was 22.7% HK and 14.1% EQ. Estimates of child stunting, wasting and underweight were 60.6%, 10.3% and 41.1% in HK and 41.8%, 4.1% and 21.6% in EQ, respectively. Conclusions: Poor DDS and high levels of maternal undernutrition and child stunting were found in both communities. The unexpected finding of greater undernutrition in pulse-growing HK (better nutrient intake) requires investigation and may be due to general health, increased activities or other nutrient deficiencies in mothers. Overall, this community baseline study indicates a need to strengthen nutrition service delivery programs to mothers-children.