Dietary intake and nutrient adequacies among women of reproductive age in northern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study
Background Dietary inadequacies among women of reproductive age (WRA) increase malnutrition and disease risk. Objectives We characterized food group and nutrient inadequacies among WRA in rural Tanzania. Methods Baseline data (collected October 2023–January 2024) from a cluster-randomized controll...
| Autores principales: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Formato: | Journal Article |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
Elsevier
2026
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178284 |
| _version_ | 1855542563809787904 |
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| author | Azupogo, Fusta Arnold, Charles D. Bliznashka, Lilia Makori, Nyabasi Njau, Calista N. Malindisa, Evangelista Jeremiah, Kidola Kinabo, Joyce Olney, Deanna K. Hess, Sonja Y. |
| author_browse | Arnold, Charles D. Azupogo, Fusta Bliznashka, Lilia Hess, Sonja Y. Jeremiah, Kidola Kinabo, Joyce Makori, Nyabasi Malindisa, Evangelista Njau, Calista N. Olney, Deanna K. |
| author_facet | Azupogo, Fusta Arnold, Charles D. Bliznashka, Lilia Makori, Nyabasi Njau, Calista N. Malindisa, Evangelista Jeremiah, Kidola Kinabo, Joyce Olney, Deanna K. Hess, Sonja Y. |
| author_sort | Azupogo, Fusta |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Background
Dietary inadequacies among women of reproductive age (WRA) increase malnutrition and disease risk.
Objectives
We characterized food group and nutrient inadequacies among WRA in rural Tanzania.
Methods
Baseline data (collected October 2023–January 2024) from a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions were analyzed. Dietary intake among WRA (n = 2594) was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall with the OpenDRS approach. This was repeated in a subsample (n = 520, 20%) to adjust for day-to-day variations in individual intake. The National Cancer Institute method was employed to estimate usual energy and nutrient intakes. Micronutrient adequacy was defined as intake greater than or equal to the harmonized average requirements (H-ARs). The mean probability of adequacy (MPA) was calculated as the average adequacy across 11 micronutrients.
Results
On average, women were 38.3 ± 6.2 y old; 19% were lactating, and 4% were pregnant. The mean daily energy intake was 2415 kcal/d [95% confidence interval (CI): 1937, 2895], with carbohydrates contributing 62% to daily energy intake. The mean intake of fruit and vegetables (F&V) was 279 g/d (95% CI: 201, 365), of which fruit was 35 g/d (95% CI: 2, 118) and vegetables 245 g/d (95% CI: 168, 328). Staples contributed half of the daily energy intake. About 1% of participants met calcium and vitamin B12 requirements, whereas 42%, 49%, 68%, and 72% met adequacy for vitamin C, folate, zinc, and iron, respectively. Most women met the H-ARs for riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, vitamin B6, and vitamin A. MPA was 65 (±2.3% standard error), with vegetables, pulses, animal-source foods (ASF), and staples being key micronutrient sources.
Conclusions
Substantial nutrient inadequacies exist among WRA in rural Northern Tanzania due to high cereal intake and low intake of F&V and ASF. Addressing these gaps requires targeted interventions, improved dietary diversity, increased intake of F&V and ASF, and enhanced food security through local production and social safety nets. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace178284 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| publisherStr | Elsevier |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1782842026-01-08T16:42:52Z Dietary intake and nutrient adequacies among women of reproductive age in northern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study Azupogo, Fusta Arnold, Charles D. Bliznashka, Lilia Makori, Nyabasi Njau, Calista N. Malindisa, Evangelista Jeremiah, Kidola Kinabo, Joyce Olney, Deanna K. Hess, Sonja Y. diet nutrient intake gender nutrition women Background Dietary inadequacies among women of reproductive age (WRA) increase malnutrition and disease risk. Objectives We characterized food group and nutrient inadequacies among WRA in rural Tanzania. Methods Baseline data (collected October 2023–January 2024) from a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions were analyzed. Dietary intake among WRA (n = 2594) was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall with the OpenDRS approach. This was repeated in a subsample (n = 520, 20%) to adjust for day-to-day variations in individual intake. The National Cancer Institute method was employed to estimate usual energy and nutrient intakes. Micronutrient adequacy was defined as intake greater than or equal to the harmonized average requirements (H-ARs). The mean probability of adequacy (MPA) was calculated as the average adequacy across 11 micronutrients. Results On average, women were 38.3 ± 6.2 y old; 19% were lactating, and 4% were pregnant. The mean daily energy intake was 2415 kcal/d [95% confidence interval (CI): 1937, 2895], with carbohydrates contributing 62% to daily energy intake. The mean intake of fruit and vegetables (F&V) was 279 g/d (95% CI: 201, 365), of which fruit was 35 g/d (95% CI: 2, 118) and vegetables 245 g/d (95% CI: 168, 328). Staples contributed half of the daily energy intake. About 1% of participants met calcium and vitamin B12 requirements, whereas 42%, 49%, 68%, and 72% met adequacy for vitamin C, folate, zinc, and iron, respectively. Most women met the H-ARs for riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, vitamin B6, and vitamin A. MPA was 65 (±2.3% standard error), with vegetables, pulses, animal-source foods (ASF), and staples being key micronutrient sources. Conclusions Substantial nutrient inadequacies exist among WRA in rural Northern Tanzania due to high cereal intake and low intake of F&V and ASF. Addressing these gaps requires targeted interventions, improved dietary diversity, increased intake of F&V and ASF, and enhanced food security through local production and social safety nets. 2026-01 2025-11-26T16:24:55Z 2025-11-26T16:24:55Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178284 en Open Access Elsevier Azupogo, Fusta; Arnold, Charles D.; Bliznashka, Lilia; Makori, Nyabasi; Njau, Calista N.; et al. 2026. Dietary intake and nutrient adequacies among women of reproductive age in northern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Nutrition 156(1): 101238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.008 |
| spellingShingle | diet nutrient intake gender nutrition women Azupogo, Fusta Arnold, Charles D. Bliznashka, Lilia Makori, Nyabasi Njau, Calista N. Malindisa, Evangelista Jeremiah, Kidola Kinabo, Joyce Olney, Deanna K. Hess, Sonja Y. Dietary intake and nutrient adequacies among women of reproductive age in northern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study |
| title | Dietary intake and nutrient adequacies among women of reproductive age in northern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Dietary intake and nutrient adequacies among women of reproductive age in northern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Dietary intake and nutrient adequacies among women of reproductive age in northern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dietary intake and nutrient adequacies among women of reproductive age in northern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Dietary intake and nutrient adequacies among women of reproductive age in northern Tanzania: A cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | dietary intake and nutrient adequacies among women of reproductive age in northern tanzania a cross sectional study |
| topic | diet nutrient intake gender nutrition women |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178284 |
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