Nutrition and food security status of Tanzanian pastoralist women: a cross-sectional study

There are limited data available on the dietary intake, nutritional status and food security status of pastoralist women in Tanzania. We characterized the dietary intake and nutritional and food security status of pastoralist women of childbearing age from multiple tribes living in close proximity in Iringa Rural District, Iringa Region, Tanzania. Data were collected from July to October, 2013 from 262 women aged 18-48 years from 191 pastoralist households. We examined anthropometric measures, anemia status, dietary diversity, and household food security status. Bivariate relationships between nutritional status, ethnicity, and food insecurity status were tested using Fisher’s exact test. Most women had ‘normal’ weight status, consumed starchy staples, leafy green vegetables and milk/milk products in the 24 hours before the survey, and were food secure. One-third or fewer of women consumed iron- and zinc- rich foods (animal-source foods or legumes, seeds and nuts). There were significant variations in weight status (p=0.0003), dietary diversity (0.004) and food security (0.04) by ethnic group. Maasai women experienced the highest prevalence of undernutrition, low dietary diversity and food insecurity; Sukuma women experienced the lowest prevalence. Women whose households purchased their food and severely food insecure women had less diverse diets. Underweight women were more likely to be food insecure. These findings make a key contribution to understanding the nutritional and food security status of pastoralist women of multiple tribes in southern Tanzania. These women may benefit from interventions to improve dietary iron- and zinc- rich food intake, overall dietary diversity and year-round food security.Master of Public Healt