Food Diversity, Children Health and the Economic Burden

Abstract

Abstract Background This study investigate the impact of low food diversity on the health status of children using Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Dietary Serving Score (DSS) in a sub-district with the highest percentage of poor households. The economic burden of low food diversity is observed by analysing cost of illness of the children with low food diversity. Methods Data from 329 children are collected. We determined the impact of DDS and DSS and other factors to the health status of children age 2–14 yo using probit model. The cost of illness (e.g. typhus, stomach ulcers, coughs, flu, and fever) due to low food diversity is calculated from medical registration fees, medical action costs, transportation costs, and other costs. Results The results shows that a 1 percentage point increase of DDS or DSS potentially decreases children health complaints by 10 and 8 percent. Given the current 26 percent prevalence of health complaints among children with low DDS, the economic burden reaches US$75.72. On the other note, the current 41 percent prevalence of children with low DDS resulted in US$153.45 per children. Conclusions The effect of inadequate dietary diversity is potentially high on children health and contributes to economic burden for households and the government.