Dietary diversity among households living in Kilombero district, in Morogoro region, South-Eastern Tanzania

Background: Adequate nutrition is essential for good health and active life. However, diets in most low and middle-income households lack diversity, especially in settings where people eat predominantly starchy foods. In this study, we assessed the associations between socio-economic status and household dietary diversity in families living in South-eastern Tanzania. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 925 parents of school children in four wards in South-eastern Tanzania, as part of a trial; assessing the effects of physical activity and micronutrient supplementation on overall growth, health and well-being of school children. The dietary intake was assessed by 24-h dietary recall and dietary diversity score (DDS) was calculated. Socio-economic status was derived from a weighted score using principal component analysis (PCA). Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association between dietary diversity and socio-economic status. This baseline data assessment was completed in July and August 2019. Results: Cereals, oils and fats were the most consumed food groups, legumes were the most common source of protein and fish was the most common animal protein. More than three quarters of the households had medium dietary diversity (MDD). Higher household education and large farm size were the only factors significantly associated with having high dietary diversity. Conclusion: A majority of the households in South-eastern Tanzania have medium dietary diversity, comprised of cereal, fats and oils and proteins. Having high dietary diversity was associated with higher education and large farm sizes. Improving community members' knowledge and awareness of nutritional benefits could improve the dietary diversity at household level.