Nutrient-rich foods and diverse diets are key elements for optimal health. The majority (98%) of undernourished people reside in under developed countries; resulting in high rates of maternal and child mortality. The stunting rate of children in Niger is over 50% percent, one of the highest in the world. Purpose: The purpose of the dissertation were 1) to comprehensively examine the literature to evaluate dietary diversity of women and children in Sub-Saharan Africa 2) to describe and explore the predicting factors of dietary diversity among children aged 0 to 24 months of age in Niger 3) describe and explore the predicting factors of dietary diversity among reproductive women (15-49 years of age). This study implemented quantitative methods to investigate dietary intake among women and children. The first study is a comprehensive review was on the dietary diversity of women and children in SSA were conducted. The second study is a cross sectional study was conducted to examine children dietary diversity, and the maternal factors that impact children dietary diversity. In the third study, a cross sectional study was conducted to examine the predicting factors of dietary diversity among women of reproductive age (15-49 years of age). Study one found that women and children lack dietary diversity in SSA. In study two children dietary diversity was low. Factors such as region, children's age, women empowerment, and vitamin A intake and wealth index were significant predictors of CDD. In study three, women's dietary diversity was low. The mean women dietary diversity was 3.5 in Zinder compared to 2.5 in Maradi (p<.05). Region, household hunger scale, total number of eligible farmers and average household dietary diversity score were all strong predictors of women dietary diversity. The findings of our studies provide important knowledge on the dietary diversity of women and children in Niger. Multi sector interventions to improve nutritional diversity for women and their children are needed in order to combat malnutrition in Niger.
Nutrient-rich foods and diverse diets are key elements for optimal health. The majority (98%) of undernourished people reside in under developed countries; resulting in high rates of maternal and child mortality. The stunting rate of children in Niger is over 50% percent, one of the highest in the world. Purpose: The purpose of the dissertation were 1) to comprehensively examine the literature to evaluate dietary diversity of women and children in Sub-Saharan Africa 2) to describe and explore the predicting factors of dietary diversity among children aged 0 to 24 months of age in Niger 3) describe and explore the predicting factors of dietary diversity among reproductive women (15-49 years of age).
This study implemented quantitative methods to investigate dietary intake among women and children. The first study is a comprehensive review was on the dietary diversity of women and children in SSA were conducted. The second study is a cross sectional study was conducted to examine children dietary diversity, and the maternal factors that impact children dietary diversity. In the third study, a cross sectional study was conducted to examine the predicting factors of dietary diversity among women of reproductive age (15-49 years of age).
Study one found that women and children lack dietary diversity in SSA. In study two children dietary diversity was low. Factors such as region, children's age, women empowerment, and vitamin A intake and wealth index were significant predictors of CDD. In study three, women's dietary diversity was low. The mean women dietary diversity was 3.5 in Zinder compared to 2.5 in Maradi (p<.05). Region, household hunger scale, total number of eligible farmers and average household dietary diversity score were all strong predictors of women dietary diversity.
The findings of our studies provide important knowledge on the dietary diversity of women and children in Niger. Multi sector interventions to improve nutritional diversity for women and their children are needed in order to combat malnutrition in Niger.
