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Introduction
Few studies have investigated the relationship between dietary pattern and household food
insecurity. The objective of the present analysis was to describe the food consumption patterns
and to relate these with the prevalence of food insecurity in the context of a rural
community.
Methodology
Three hundred and seven (307) randomly selected households in Kilosa district participated
in the study. Data were collected during the rainy season (February–May) and post harvest
season (September–October) in the year 2011. Food consumption pattern was determined
using a 24-h dietary recall method. Food insecurity data were based on the 30 day recall experience
to food insecurity in the household. Factor analysis method using Principal Components
extraction function was used to derive the dietary patterns and correlation analysis
was used to establish the existing relationship between household food insecurity and dietary
patterns factor score.
Results
Four food consumption patterns namely (I) Meat and milk; (II) Pulses, legumes, nuts and
cooking oils; (III) fish (and other sea foods), roots and tubers; (IV) Cereals, vegetables and
fruits consumption patterns were identified during harvest season. Dietary patterns identified
during the rainy season were as follows: (I) Fruits, cooking oils, fats, roots and tubers
(II) Eggs, meat, milk and milk products (III) Fish, other sea foods, vegetables, roots and tubers
and (IV) Pulses, legumes, nuts, cereals and vegetables. Household food insecurity
was 80% and 69% during rainy and harvest–seasons, respectively (P = 0.01). Household
food insecurity access scale score was negatively correlated with the factor scores on
household dietary diversity. |
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