Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.2 Nutrient intakes based on RDA before and after intervention
Calories
Before
After
Below RDA
23
76.7%
20
66.7%
Above RDA
7
23.3%
10
33.3%
Proteins
Before
After
Below RDA
17
56.7%
12
40.0%
Above RDA
13
43.3%
18
60.0%
Vitamin A
Before
After
Below RDA
22
73.3%
18
60.0%
Above RDA
8
26.7%
12
40.0%
Iron
Before
After
Below RDA
29
96.7%
25
83.3%
Above RDA
1
3.3%
5
16.7%
Total
30
100%
30
100%
the urban households with self-provisioned food showed better health than do
those children who do not have such access (Mougeot, 2006). Prior to this
research, better health was discovered to be linked to improved nutrition
brought about by increased dietary diversity and its accompanying increased
nutrient intake.
Nutrition status of the 300 children
Of the 300 children observed during the baseline survey, 62 per cent were
stunted, 53.7 per cent were underweight and 31 per cent were wasted (the
children were classified into one category at a time and overlapping of
conditions were not established). The children with high levels of wasting
were included in the intervention.
The nutrition status of children in the 30 households before and after
intervention showed mixed results. However, there was a general
improvement in their health as shown by reduced numbers both of children
who were severely and moderately stunted, as well as those who were
underweight (Figure 1.2).
Those children who were mildly wasted increased from 16.7 per cent to
46.7 per cent after intervention. Those who had normal weight decreased
from 73.3 per cent to 43.3 per cent after the intervention.
In general, the above results do indicate changes. However, the results
cannot necessarily be directly linked to the impact of the project because one
