Mary Arimond|Marie T. Ruel
Dietary Diversity Is Associated with Child Nutritional Status: Evidence from 11 Demographic and Health Surveys
International Food Policy Research Institute|International Food Policy Research Institute
simple indicators reflecting diet quality young children needed programs research contexts measures dietary diversity relatively simple shown associated nutrient adequacy nutritional status however dietary diversity also tends increase income wealth thus association dietary diversity child nutrition may confounded socioeconomic factors used data 11 recent demographic health surveys dhs examine association dietary diversity heightforage zscores haz children 623 mo old controlling household wealthwelfare several potentially confounding factors bivariate associations dietary diversity haz observed 9 11 countries dietary diversity remained significant main effect 7 countries multivariate models interacted significantly factors eg child age breastfeeding status urbanrural location 3 4 remaining countries thus dietary diversity significantly associated haz either main effect interaction one countries analyzed findings suggest association child dietary diversity nutritional status independent socioeconomic factors dietary diversity may indeed reflect diet quality dietary diversity recommended widespread use indicator diet quality additional research required confirm clarify relations various dietary diversity indicators nutrient intake adequacy density children differing dietary patterns