Hungry for information: using mixed methods to understand patterns of food utilization in the Honduran hillsides

Food utilization is an increasingly essential yet poorly assessed dimension of food security. Utilization concerns food choice, preparation, storage, allocation, consumption, and metabolism by the body. As such, farm, distribution, retail, cultural, and household factors all influence effective food utilization. The existing methodology for assessing food utilization include anthropometry and micronutrient assay as well as access to food, clean water, and adequate sanitation. This set of methodology does not adequately assess or define the appropriate standards for the aspects of food utilization listed above. In this study, we aimed to construct the role of family food utilizer in the context of the Feed the Future Horticulture Innovation Lab Regional Center at Zamorano University in Honduras. Drawing on the existing methodology for assessing food security, we employed the Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index, The Coping Strategies Index, The Household Dietary Diversity Score, The Household Hunger Scale, and a modified Housing Quality Index. We used dietary diversity data to reconstruct the Minimum Dietary Diversity Score and Minimum Acceptable Diet In addition to these commonly-used indicators, we completed a reliance social network study to understand how participants in the Horticulture Lab program obtained information and assistance for agriculture and food-related challenges. Data from semi-structured interviews with agricultural extension agents and program participants informed both parts of this study. Participants experienced high levels of food insecurity. Associations between indicators of empowerment and food security measurements showed that control over assets like poultry, making more income decisions, and working longer hours were associated with positive outcomes including consumption of nutritionally significant foods such as dairy products and staving off the most severe food insecurity. The social network study showed that men's information and reliance networks were more highly educated and resulted in better access to assistance than women's networks. Both of these studies showed that women and men experience and manage food insecurity differently and that it is likely that men are more able to reap the benefits of intervention programs.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Food Science & Human Nutrition

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2021

Author dc:creator

• Sloffer, Elizabeth Marie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Andrade, Juan E
• Engeseth, Nicki J
• Buckley, Cynthia J
• Pepino, M. Yanina

• hunger
• food insecurity
• malnutrition
• gender
• empowerment
• social network
• food utilization

Statement dc:rights

• 2020 by Elizabeth Marie Sloffer. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109608

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/109608