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

Abstract

Background: ENGINE (Empowering New Generations for Improved Nutrition and Economic Opportunities) was a US Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project implemented in Ethiopia from 2011 to 2016. ENGINE used a multisectoral 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 preschool-aged children. Objectives: The objectives of the present research are 2-fold: 1) to document trends in women's dietary diversity (WDD) and 2) to identify factors associated with dietary diversity for women. Methods: Descriptive statistics and multivariate, 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 1-y postpartum, only ∼13% to 17% of women met the Minimum Dietary Diversity Score for Women (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.