Eleventh International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Diet diversity, a preventive approach to address malnutrition is influenced by household consumption pattern. Climate vulnerability affects crop production thereby impact household’s access to nutrition. Using primary data from tribal dominant regions, the study seeks to examine effect of climate vulnerability on nutrition outcomes. Evidences reveal weather variability results in low productivity (25% less crops) triggering low diet diversity (less than two food groups >80% households). Limited diet diversity coupled with deficiency of vitamins and protein exposes small-holders to nutrition insecurity. Households consume more than five food groups per day are less likely to have stunted children than those consume less than five food groups [OR=0.52; P<0.005; CI:0.40-0.67], but more likely to have low BMI level [OR=1.20;0.80-1.80]. Empirical evidences suggest that beyond household dietary diversity, positive nutrition outcomes at household level could be achieved ensuring other dimensions of nutrition, such as nutrition behaviour, enabling environment and climate smart agriculture practices.