Eating Right in Rural Tanzania: A Look at Women's Diets

In rural Tanzania, particularly in the Morogoro region, the struggle against malnutrition is far from over. Despite efforts to tackle undernutrition, progress has been slow. Meanwhile, a troubling trend has emerged: more women of reproductive age are becoming overweight or obese. This shift in lifestyle, especially in eating habits, is a key factor in this trend. The focus here is on the diet quality of women in rural areas. A recent study in Mvomero district, involving 512 women, aimed to understand their consumption of foods that either protect against or increase the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The study found that about 42% of these women had no formal education, and roughly one in three owned a mobile phone. The dietary habits of these women are concerning. While 70% consumed vegetables, only 34% met the minimum diet diversity (MDD-W) of five or more food groups. This means most women are not eating a wide enough variety of foods to stay healthy. The average score for protective foods was 2. 8 out of 5, and for risk foods, it was 0. 77 out of 5. This suggests that while some women are eating protective foods, many are not eating enough of them, and some are consuming risk foods. Household income played a significant role in diet quality. Higher income was linked to better consumption of protective foods and risk foods. Mobile phone ownership was also linked to higher consumption of risk foods. Age and self-employment in agriculture were positively associated with protective foods, while having more children was negatively associated. Education and awareness are crucial. Rural communities need to understand the importance of eating a variety of foods and the risks of certain foods. The Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders should support the production of bio-fortified crops and small animals. The Ministry of Education should ensure that school children are aware of the risks of certain foods and promote healthier food choices around schools.