Consumption of dark green leafy vegetables predicts vitamin a and iron intake and status among female small-scale farmers in Tanzania
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nutrients/ MDPI
Abstract
Inadequate consumption of micronutrient-dense foods such as vegetables and meat are an
important contributing cause for anemia and deficiencies of iron and vitamin A in rural communities
of Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 to examine nutritional and micronutrient
status and their associations to the diet of female small-scale farmers in the sub-humid Kilosa (n = 333)
and the semi-arid Chamwino (n = 333) districts, in the Morogoro and Dodoma region. An overall
higher prevalence of overweight (19.7%) and obesity (7.1%) than of underweight (5.9%) was detected.
Significantly more women in the two villages of Kilosa (27–40%) than in the two villages of Chamwino
district (19–21%) were overweight/obese, but also more frequently had anemia (34–41% vs. 11–17%),
iron deficiency (24–32% vs. 15–17%), and low serum retinol (21–24% vs. 8–9%). Overall, only a small
proportion of women reached recommended daily micronutrient intakes: 27% for vitamin A, 17% for
iron, 7% for zinc, and 12–38% for B-vitamins. The amount of dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV)
consumed was the main determinant of vitamin A and iron intake by women in Chamwino and
corresponded to higher hemoglobin, serum retinol and iron status than in the villages of the Kilosa
district; in agreement, DGLV consumption also predicted iron and vitamin A intake in Kilosa district.
DGLV consumed with wholemeal millet was advantageous in terms of women’s vitamin A and iron
intake and status over the predominantly maize-rice-based diet lacking vegetables.
Description
Article paper on Nutrients 2019, 11, 1025;
Keywords
Dark green leafy vegetables, Vitamin A, Carotenoids, Iron, Small-scale farmers, Anemia, Micronutrient intake, Micronutrient status, Overweight, Tanzania