Affordability of family foods is associated with Nutritional Status of women with pre-school children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2025

Food Affordability and Women's Nutrition in Addis Ababa

Sample size: 4797 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Abdelmenan Semira, Worku Alemayehu, Berhane Hanna Y., Berhane Yemane, Ekström Eva-Charlotte

Primary Institution: Uppsala University

Hypothesis

The study aimed to examine the association between food affordability and the nutritional status of non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Conclusion

Higher food affordability is associated with increased odds of being overweight or obese among women.

Supporting Evidence

  • 39.1% of women were overweight or obese.
  • 7.3% of women were underweight.
  • On average, families could afford 6.1 out of 11 food groups.
  • Women with higher food affordability had increased odds of being overweight or obese.

Takeaway

If families can afford more healthy foods, women are more likely to be overweight or obese.

Methodology

The study used repeated cross-sectional surveys and multinomial logistic regression models to analyze the association between food affordability and nutritional status.

Potential Biases

There is a risk of social desirability bias in self-reported measures of food affordability.

Limitations

The study did not assess the affordability of unhealthy foods or physical activity patterns, and it is cross-sectional, so no causal relationships can be inferred.

Participant Demographics

Participants were non-pregnant women of childbearing age, with a mean age of 29.3 years; 54.1% were aged 15-29.

Statistical Information

P-Value

1.32 (AOR), 1.50 (AOR)

Confidence Interval

1.09, 1.60 (for overweight), 1.14, 1.97 (for obese)

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/s41598-024-83064-5

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