Household Food Security Status and Diet Diversity Predictors of Mother Child-Dyads from Rural Small holders in Three Agroecological Zones of Malawi

Abstract

Data from mother-child dyads (n = 375) living in rural small-holder farming households in Malawi was utilized. Households with an average income of >$4.2 US dollars per member had60% lower odds (OR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.19–0.82) of food insecurity. Household food insecurity was a predictor of Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) (OR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.21–0.89). Children whose female caregivers met MDD-W had 37 times higher odds (OR: 37.6, 95%CI: 13.9–117) of meeting the recommended dietary diversity score. To address food and nutrition security in this population, an approach that encompasses women’s empowerment and income diversification is required.