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The effect of agricultural strategies to improve household food production on the health and nutrition outcomes of women and young children: a systematic review
Author(s) -
Girard Amy Webb,
Self Julie,
McAuliffe Corey,
Olude Olafunke
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.653.7
Subject(s) - environmental health , micronutrient , underweight , medicine , wasting , psychological intervention , anthropometry , food group , agriculture , malnutrition , anemia , gerontology , obesity , biology , ecology , pathology , overweight , psychiatry , endocrinology
Increasing household food production (HHFP) is a common strategy to improve household food security and nutrition in resource‐poor settings. We systematically reviewed the effects of HHFP interventions on the nutrition and health outcomes of women and young children using a modified version of the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group (CHERG) adaptation of the GRADE technique; 35 studies met inclusion criteria. HHFP interventions improved women's and children's diet diversity, intakes of micronutrient‐rich fruits and vegetables, and intakes of animal‐source foods. HHFP strategies improved vitamin A (VA), protein, energy, and/or iron intakes among women; effects on BMI, VA status and/or anemia were inconclusive. Among children, HHFP consistently improved VA intakes and nonsignificantly reduced stunting by 7%, underweight by 28%, and wasting by 6%; effects on anemia and VA status were mixed. The evidence base for HHFP strategies is limited because most studies are nonrandomized, lack adequate controls, have limited power, and do not use appropriate analytic methods. In conclusion, while strategies to improve HHFP positively impact dietary practices and increase vitamin A intakes, effects on biological and anthropometric indicators of nutrition are unclear. Additional, well designed studies are needed that examine a diverse array of nutrition indicators.