Influence of Agricultural Biodiversity on Dietary diversity of preschool children in Matungu Division, Western Kenya

Abstract

Agricultural biodiversity encompasses the variety and variability of plants and animals that are necessary for food production and accessibility. Loss of agriculturalbiodiversity is taking place at a very high rate in Kenya. Many indigenous species thatare not only nutritious, but also adapted to harsh conditions are now associated withpoverty or backwardness. This profound change has great effect on preschool childrenin Kenya. Their diets are predominantly based on starchy staples, little or no animalproducts and few fruits and vegetables thus inadequate in quality and quantityresulting to malnutrition. The main objective of this cross-sectional survey was todetermine the influence of agricultural biodiversity on dietary diversity of preschoolchildren in Matungu division, western Kenya. A sample of 144 households withpreschool children was drawn from Matungu division using multistage, proportionaland systematic random sampling techniques. Structured questionnaires andobservation checklists were used for data collection. Agricultural biodiversity wasmeasured by variety of food crops grown, types of animals domesticated for food and food items obtained from natural sources. Dietary diversity was measured by the number of food items across eight food groups with a reference period of 7 days. Datawere analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequencies,means and percentages were used to organize, describe and summarize data whereasPearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was used to test for statistical associationsbetween agricultural biodiversity and dietary diversity. Research findings showed thathouseholds grew an average of three types of food crops kept two varieties of animalsfor food and got two food items from natural sources. Preschool children had consumed on average 13 varieties of foods in the one-week preceding the study. Thefindings also revealed a positive and strong relationship between agriculturalbiodiversity and dietary diversity (r= 0.704) indicating that 50% of the changes in dietary intake could be attributed to changes in agricultural biodiversity. Therefore,increased agricultural biodiversity enhances dietary diversity of preschool childrenleading to improvement in their nutrition and health status. It was therefore recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and related organizations reinforceextension services (training/education on agricultural biodiversity and sustainableutilization of neglected indigenous food sources) to rural populations especiallywomen.