Description

Abstract: Engagement in income generation activities (IGA) that involve animal source foods (ASF) may influence children’s intake of animal products through increased availability of ASF in the home and increased income that can be used to purchase ASF. This study compared the diversity of ASF in the diet of children whose caregivers’ engaged in ASF-related IGA and those engaged in an IGA unrelated to ASF. Data on household income and sociodemographics, and diets of 2- to 5-y-old children were collected through interviews with 251 caregivers in 6 rural and semi-rural communities in 3 regions of Ghana. About 34% (n= 83) of caregivers were engaged in an ASF-related IGA. Rural caregivers with ASF-related IGA had a significantly higher weekly income than those in ASF-unrelated IGA (p<0.05); however, a similar difference was not noted among semi-rural caregivers. Rural children tended to have higher dietary ASF diversity than semi-rural children (P=0.05). Children's ASF diversity was not predicted by type of IGA. Weekly income of at least US$10.90, caregiver formal education, and rural location predicted children's ASF diversity (P<0.001). Ability to purchase ASF in the market rather than its accessibility in the home through an IGA may be a more important determinant of ASF in children's diets in rural and semi-rural communities in Ghana. Support was through GL-CRSP, funded in part by US-AID, Grant # PCE-G-00-98-00036-00 and J Ellis fellowship to Christian.