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Household Dietary Diversity among the Ethnic Minority Groups in the Mekong Delta: Evidence for the Development of Public Health and Nutrition Policy in Vietnam

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  • Hiep N. Le

    (Department of Food Technology, An Giang University, Long Xuyên 880000, Vietnam
    Center for Educational Testing and Quality Assessment, Vietnam National University HCMC, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
    School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
    Health & Agricultural Policy Research Institute, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 72516, Vietnam)

  • Kien V. Nguyen

    (Health & Agricultural Policy Research Institute, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 72516, Vietnam
    Climate Change Institute, An Giang University, Long Xuyên 880000, Vietnam
    Research School of Management, College of Business and Economics, The Australian National University, 26 Kingsley St., Acton, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Hai Phung

    (School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia)

  • Ngan T. D. Hoang

    (National Institute of Nutrition, 48B Tang Bat Ho, Pham Dinh Ho Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Duong T. Tran

    (National Institute of Nutrition, 48B Tang Bat Ho, Pham Dinh Ho Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Lillian Mwanri

    (Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide Campus, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

Abstract

Poor household dietary diversity has been linked to malnutrition in individuals, households, and cumulatively in populations. High rates of malnutrition among Khmer ethnic children aged five years and younger have been reported in Tri Ton district, Vietnam. This paper aims to further investigate household dietary diversity and associated factors among Khmer ethnic minority populations in Vietnam. A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to April 2019 in Tri Ton District, An Giang Province. By employing a multistage sampling technique, a total of 402 (99.8% response rate) participants were interviewed to measure household dietary diversity using a structured and validated questionnaire developed by FAO. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with household dietary diversity. The results showed that the prevalence of low, medium and high dietary diversity scores were 21.4%, 70.4% and 8.2%, respectively. Male-headed households, literacy level, household income, exposure to mass media on nutrition and health information, and frequency of eating were positively associated with household dietary diversity ( p < 0.05). However, owning a vegetable and rice farm was not statistically related to households’ dietary diversification. The paper concludes that the magnitude of household diversified dietary intakes was essentially low to medium in participants’ households. These findings have provided evidence to inform the development of the National Nutrition Strategy—2021–2030 in Vietnam, to be revised in 2045. This national strategy proposes appropriate interventions, programs and policies to improve socioeconomic status in ethnic groups and in mountainous areas to enhance populations’ health and well-being including controlling childhood malnutrition. In order to improve population health and wellbeing in Tri Ton District, further actions to address effective dietary practices including strengthening nutrition and health communication about the need to improve household dietary diversity to high levels are recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiep N. Le & Kien V. Nguyen & Hai Phung & Ngan T. D. Hoang & Duong T. Tran & Lillian Mwanri, 2023. "Household Dietary Diversity among the Ethnic Minority Groups in the Mekong Delta: Evidence for the Development of Public Health and Nutrition Policy in Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:932-:d:1025095
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haddad, Lawrence James & Smith, Lisa C., 2000. "Explaining child malnutrition in developing countries: a cross-country analysis," Research reports 111, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    2. Steven Block, 2003. "Nutrition Knowledge, Household Coping, and the Demand for Micronutrient-Rich Foods," Working Papers in Food Policy and Nutrition 20, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
    3. Thiele, S. & Weiss, C., 2003. "Consumer demand for food diversity: evidence for Germany," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 99-115, April.
    4. Thi Tuyet Le & Thi Thuy Dung Le & Nam Khanh Do & V. Savvina Nadezhda & M. Grjibovski Andrej & Thi Trung Thu Nguyen & Thi Thanh Mai Nguyen & Thi Tuyen Vu & Thi Huong Le & Thi Thu Lieu Nguyen & Thi Anh , 2019. "Ethnic Variations in Nutritional Status among Preschool Children in Northern Vietnam: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-11, October.
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