Low dietary diversity and its influencing factors among a San group in Namibia
Item
Title
Low dietary diversity and its influencing factors among a San group in Namibia
author
Heim, Anita
Paksi, Attila
Is Part Of
BMC Research Notes, 12(1): 365-365
isbn
1756-0500
Ethical Disclaimer
Available online at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334101082_Low_dietary_diversity_and_its_influencing_factors_among_a_San_group_in_Namibia
Identifier
LIT265
Description
Although the San in Namibia have been targeted by intensive development efforts, there is little knowledge available about San diet quality and nutritional status. The objective of this study is therefore to estimate and quantify the dietary diversity of a San group, and to investigate how socioeconomic characteristics affect dietary diversity. The dietary data (n = 200) for this cross-sectional study were collected as a part of a larger doctoral research investigating food environment, food choices, and dietary changes of the Khwe San in Bwabwata National Park East. Results: The mean dietary diversity score (DDS) of the participants was 2.44 out of 10, with only two people having a DDS of 5. 87.5% of participants consumed only from 2 or 3 different food groups, mainly grains/roots and dark green leafy vegetables. DDS significantly correlated only with the level of education and with age. Due to their collinearity, the group with no education had the lowest DDS, but also belonged to the oldest age group. The overall dietary diversity of the Khwe is extremely low, indicating severe nutritional inadequacy. The small differences in DDS among the socioeconomic groups indicate the importance of other determining factors, such as cultural and food environmental characteristics.
Date Issued
2019
Subject
Kxoe (San people)-Nutrition
San (African people)-Social conditions
Type
Article
Language
English
Publisher
BioMed Central Ltd: England
topic
Human Health and Wellbeing
