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

Sloffer, Elizabeth Marie

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/109608 Copy

Description

Title

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

Author(s)

Sloffer, Elizabeth Marie

Issue Date

2020-12-04

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Andrade, Juan E

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Engeseth, Nicki J

Committee Member(s)

• Buckley, Cynthia J
• Pepino, M. Yanina

Department of Study

Food Science & Human Nutrition

Discipline

Food Science & Human Nutrition

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

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

Abstract

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.

Graduation Semester

2020-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

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Copyright and License Information

2020 by Elizabeth Marie Sloffer. All rights reserved.

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