Korji Dembi 1,* (MSc), Seyoum Chanyalew 2 (PhD), Gezahegn Muluken 2 (PhD)
1 Socio-economic and Agricultural Research Extension Division, Bore Agricultural Research Center, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, P.O.Box 21, Finfine, Ethiopia.
2 Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
*Corresponding author: Korji Dembi. Tell: +251920470209; Email: korjidembi@gmail.com
Abstract
Global commitment to improving nutrition among the most vulnerable has never been higher or more coordinated. Scaling up of evidence – based, nutrition specific intervention with the most potential for improving nutritional outcomes and attention to nutrition –sensitive development for long term sustainability of improvements in nutrition have framed the global response. Attempts to achieve ambitious goals have led to identification of key challenges, including recognition of the limited knowledge about drivers of food choice (DFC), particularly among the poor in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Malnutrition is attributed to lack of adequate and balanced diet and is considered as a major cause of decreased productivity and thus exacerbate poverty and can lead to health problem for majority of the population of Ethiopia. This study assessed food choice behavior and consumption among rural households and perception of rural households in the Adola Rede district, Ethiopia. Probability proportional to size was used to determine numbers of study sites and sample households while random sampling techniques was used to draw study sites and sample respondents from each study sites. Data was collected from 150 sample respondents using interview and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics were employed in analyzing socio economic characteristics of the respondents. Food choice behavior of the rural households was categorized depending on Food Consumption Score used widely by World Food Program. The food choice behaviors of the households respondents were 30% poor, 45% borderline and 25% adequate food choice behavior. Overwhelmingly, only one- fourth of the respondents were found to be appropriate food choice behavior. The food choice behavior of household respondents’ were affected by Perception, social, culture, changes in household income, access to food, farm practice and productivity, food prices and food local systems and this is important for program planners and policy makers to improve the well -being of all vulnerable rural households in the study area. Therefore, local government and nongovernmental organizations should give emphasis for improving food choice behavior through continuous training, asset building and capital mobilization. Agro- ecology based intervention should also be taken to improve the food choice behavior of rural households in the study area. Agricultural extension and public health/sanitary extension services should be trained to deliver mutually reinforcing messages that promote sustainable food production, improved dietary intakes, and improved sanitation and health.
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How to cite this paper
Drivers of Change in Food Choice Behavior of Rural Households in Adola Rede District, East Guji Zone, Ethiopia
How to cite this paper: Korji Dembi, Seyoum Chanyalew and Gezahegn Muluken. (2019) Drivers of Change in Food Choice Behavior of Rural Households in Adola Rede District, East Guji Zone, Ethiopia. International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture, 3(3), 241-252.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2019.09.014