Abstract: Food markets have been found to be, in many settings, important in shaping diets and nutritional outcomes. However, more evidence and improved metrics are needed to understand these relationships. This study examined relationships between food market participation and household dietary diversity in populations of rural Malawi facing hunger and poor nutrition. The study analyzed, using Poisson regression, survey data from 400 households in two districts of rural Malawi in post-harvest and lean seasons of 2017/18. A new metric of food purchases was developed to support the examination of food market participation. The findings include clear associations between food purchase diversity and household dietary diversity, and suggest households engaging more with food markets are more likely to have diversified diets and better nutrition.
Presented by:
- Mirriam Matita, Lecturer- Research Methods, LUANAR
- Helen Walls, Associate Professor of Global Health and Food Systems, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Date: 19 January 2022
