Constraints on the use of animal source foods for young children in Ghana: A participatory rapid appraisal approach

Esi Colecraft, Grace S. Marquis, Richmond Aryeetey, Owuraku Sakyi-Dawson, Anna Lartey, Benjamin Ahunu, Emmanuel Canacoo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies limit child health and development. Although animal source foods (ASF) provide highly bioavailable micronutrients, Ghanaian preschoolers consume little. Participatory rapid appraisal methods identified constraints to the availability, accessibility, and utilization of ASF. Stakeholders working with or living in six communities in three agro-ecological zones reported constraints including low income, lack of access to technology and markets, inequitable household food allocation, inadequate knowledge, and beliefs. The least expensive ASF was fish, which was easy to preserve and consumed by all communities. Since ASF was primarily purchased, interventions that increase income may be most successful in improving Ghanaian children's diets.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)351-377
Number of pages27
JournalEcology of Food and Nutrition
Volume45
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sep 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Animal source foods
  • Children
  • Diet
  • Ghana
  • Micronutrients
  • Participatory rapid appraisal

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