The Role of Household Assets in Improving Women's Dietary Diversity in Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background ENGINE (Empowering New Generations for Improved Nutrition and Economic Opportunities) was a USAID-funded project implemented in Ethiopia from 2011 to 2016. ENGINE used a multi-sectoral approach to achieve the goals articulated in the Government of Ethiopia's National Nutrition Plan, among which is improvement in the dietary intakes of women and pre-school aged children. Objectives The objectives of the present research are twofold: (1) to document trends in women's dietary diversity and (2) to identify factors associated dietary diversity for women. Methods Descriptive statistics and multi variate, pooled analyses were calculated. Results Results indicate that WDD was low, ranging on average from 3.0 to 4.0 (out of a possible 10). Across the time points covered reflecting pregnancy and one year postpartum, only about 13% to 17% of women met the MDD-W. Conclusions The production of both food and cash crops and the rearing of livestock were significant predictors of improved dietary diversity in women. The focus of ENGINE on a diverse set of agricultural activities improved WDD and MDD-W in a population of women where dietary diversity is poor. Diet diversity for women is low in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Production of both food and non-food crops significantly improved diet diversity for women.