Household Dietary Adequacy and Individual Nutrition Status: Relationships and Seasonal Effects in a Sahelian Community in Chad

Abstract

A survey was conducted in a local area in the Sahelian zone of Chad to assess the relationship between household food consumption and individual nutrition status in two different seasons. Eighty households were surveyed during the non-harvest and harvest seasons. Household consumption was measured by weighing food items over two consecutive days.

The intake of energy, protein, and iron was adequate. The median intake of vitamin A was low, particularly in the non-harvest season, 48% of FAO/WHO/UNU recommendations. Seasonal differences were detected only for vitamin A and iron. The mean child weight-for-height Z score and mean adult body mass index were lower at the harvest season (p< .05). Household vitamin A adequacy was a significant predictor of child weight for height and adult body mass index at the harvest season, even when energy adequacy was controlled for.

This study shows that the weak relationship between household dietary intake and individual nutrition status changed with the seasons, and that both provided complementary information on household nutrition. It is suggested that where household energy supply is not limiting, monitoring the consumption of major sources of vitamin A may help to identify malnourished households.