FOOD AND NUTRITON SECURITY AT HOUSEHOLD AND NATIONAL LEVEL Dr.P.Yasoda Devi Deputy Director Planning and Monitoring Cell Administrative Office ANGR Agricultural.

FOOD AND NUTRITON SECURITY AT HOUSEHOLDAND NATIONAL LEVEL

Dr.P.Yasoda DeviDeputy Director

Planning and Monitoring CellAdministrative Office

ANGR Agricultural UniversityRajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030.

FAO defined food security as “Access by all people at all times to the food they need to live healthy lives”. It is also described as “Physical and economic access to food to all children, women and men at all times”.

The term household food security is defined as “Access to culturally acceptable food, that is adequate in terms of quantity and quality for all the household members (Gillespie and Masa, 1991).

At the household level, food security is the ability of the household to secure enough food to ensure an adequate dietary intake for all its members (Van Braun etc. al., 1991.)

Nutrition Security is defined as the appropriate quantity and combination of inputs such as - Food

- Nutrition

- Health Services

-Caretaker’s time

To ensure an active and Healthy life at all times for all people

Consequences of inadequate Nutrition

In case of young child,

Survival In Adults

-Growth - Health

-Health or Sickness - Biological Functions

-Activity - Productive Activity

-Cognitive development

Determinants of Child Survival and Development

Survival, Growth and Development

Adequate Dietary Health Intake

Household Food

Security     

Maternal and Child Care

Health Services

& Health Environment

Resources and ControlHuman Economic and Organizational

Political and Ideological Superstructure

Economic Structure

PotentialResources

Underlying

Determinants

Basic Determinants

Manifestations

Immediate Determinants

Poor Nutritional Status of an Individual results from combination of

Inadequate dietary intake and

Infectious Diseases

Hence, strategy for Addressing Malnutrition should be based on three underlying issues of :

-Food

-Health

-Care

Women’s Role in caring the family and in all aspects of Nutrition is increasingly recognized

List of significant factors for the three indicators of Nutritional status in stepwise regression

Stepwise regression Weigh / age% Height / age% Weight / Height%

Child related factors: Number of diarrhoel episodes ** ** **2. Calorie adequacy of ** ** ** Child’s diet 3. Primary care taker of ** ** ** Child4. Age of child * ** *5. Regularity of bath to ** * NS Child6. Immunization coverage * NS NS7. Number of URI episodes NS NS *8. Number of other infection * NS NS episodes9. Age of starting weaning NS NS ** Food 

Maternal Factors:

Stepwise regression Wt / age% Ht / age% Wt / Ht%

10.Health status during ** NS**

Pregnancy

11.Help received by mother NS NS *

for Household activities

12.Help received by mother NS ** NS

from her parents

Stepwise regression Weight / age% Height / age% Weight / Height%  

 Paternal Factors: 13.Health status during * NS NS study period 14.Spends time with the * NS NS family after work 15.Expenditure on luxuries NS NS * & Vices 16.Not loving and affectionate * * NS with child 17.Frequent quarrels between * NS NS parents

Socio-Economic factors: 18.Income from land ** * * 19.Land availablility NS - NS 20.Number of children * * - in the family attending school/college 21.Caste NS ** NS 22.Per capita food - - NS expenditure 23.Per capita income NS NS - 24.Type of hospital NS NS - visited.

 ** : Significant at 1% level* : Significant at 5% level- : Significant at 10% levelNS : Not significant

FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURE HOUSEHOLDS

Name Education No. of child ren&

spacing

Type of family & support

Child Care taker

Earning members income debts

Type of House

Children attending

school Yes/No

Personal Hygiene

Anjaneyulu &

 Kamalamma

2nd class   Attended adult education classes

3   (8,6,3 yrs)

Joint   With good support from in-laws

GrandMonther  (Energetic, high awareness at child care)

3 adults all hard working Rs.50/- per day  Nil

Brick wall and tiled roof with adequate outdoor Space (Govt.Housing scheme)Neat and well ventilated  

Yes, older two

Good, daily bath neat clothes though not costly.

Name Education No. of children spacing

Type of family & support

Child Care

Taker

Earning members income

debts

Type of House

Children attending

school Yes/No

Personal Hygiene

Rajaratnam&

Maneema

5th class 

Illiterate with Good awareness on child

care

5 

(16,13,10,7,3½

yrs)

Nuclear 

(older children’s support

for household work)

Mother 1 (hardWorking

)

Rs.30/- per day, in-laws support in terms of grains

cash

Nil

Brick wall and tiled roof with adequate outdoorSpace (Govt.Housing scheme)Neat and well ventilated

Yes, olderFour

Good, daily bath neat clothes though not costly.

FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURE HOUSEHOLDS 

Antenatal Care

Breast Feeding

Weaning Parents Concern

Vices Wife & House and

Relationship

Remarks

Good        Good (cousin who is an ANM provided appropriate care)

Breast fed upto 3½ yrs undergone Tubectomy operation     -do-

Weaned at 5 months, Grand mother took good care to feed the child      Weaned at 5 months, Mother showed special interest to prepare different low-cost weaning foods

Good          Good –loving and affectionate parents seeks immediate/Timely medical attention

Nil          Nil

Good          Good

Couple were determined to work hard to provide good future for the children     Awareness of couple regarding childcare is high, Higher priority for childcare than income.

FOOD AND NUTRITION INSECURE HOUSEHOLDS 

Name Edu.cation

No. of children spacing

Type of family & support

Child Care taker

Earning members income debts

Type of House

Children attending school Yes/No

Personal Hygiene

Malayya& Sankaramma

Illiterate Illiterate

7 

(9 deliveries

Nuclear No support from in-laws 

Sibling Care(7 yrs girl)

-2 -40/- per day and income from goats

Rs.3000/-

Kutcha, Mud walls and flooring, that ched kitchen, goats tied in the kitchen

No Very poor, bath once in ten days, child always found in rags on mud floor

Mogalayya and Laxmi and Pushpamma

-do- 2+1 (5&3 yrs and 7 yrs)

Nuclear, no support from either families

Sibling care which is inadequate

2Rs.20/-Rs.30/- per day (husband does not work)

Rs.5000/-

Kutcha, untidy house and surroundings

No -do-All members had scabies for most of the study period.

 Contd..

FOOD AND NUTRITION INSECURE HOUSEHOLD 

Antenatal Breast Feeding

Weaning Parent’s concern Vices Wife and Husband

Relationship

Remarks

Very poor       Poor       Poor gave birth to low birth weight child

Insufficient (aged mother)      Could not feed properly. Husband left her when the child was very young and her health deteriorated. Breast milk only for 3 months because of next pregnancy and also work outside home

1½ years, inadequate quantity of rice with dal or vegetable, frequent diarrhoeaImproperWeaning        13 months, poor weaning practices by the grand mother

Very poor       Very poor, no medical care even when all 3 children had measles attack, without elders care Though mother is concerned, is helpless because of domination of mother-in-law

Yes       Drunked       Nil

Not good       Very poor always quarrels in the family, two wives do not get along well Normal

Unwanted child, dejected mother-too many family problems Lazy and un supportive husband. Less harmony in the family

Lack of family support and poor economic factors were detrimental inspite of her concern for the child.

Attempts made in the past to improve the quality of foodgrains

• Improving the protein content and its distribution in the grains• improving the nutritional status by improving the lysine and other essential amino-acids in the grains•Producing pulses like lathyrus which are free from neurotoxin. •Improving the protein content either by genetic manipulation or by appropriate agronomic management, •Improving the lysine content in sorghum - the entire world germplasm was screened for variation for this component.•In case of maize, the opaque-2 and floury-2 genes were incorporated to improve the lysine content but the grain so developed became highly susceptible to pests. Similar was the case-with man-made cereal the triticale which although had high protein or lysine content could not be successful because of grain pests. •Mid day meals programme •Introducing farming and cropping systems into cultivation. •Distribution of foodgrains at subsidized rates to the hostels and also to children.

Some Indicators of social Development (1992-2007)

  1991-92 1996-97 2006-07

Life expectancy

Male

Female

Infant mortality rate (per 100 births)

Death rate (per 1000)

Birth rate (per 1000)

Fertility rate (per 1000)

Literacy rate % 15-35 Years 7 years & above

Per capita consumption of food grains (kgs) a) Villages without drinking water  (‘000)b)      (b)Villages partially covered       (Less than 40 x Ipcd)  Electricity as a source of rural    lighting         (% of dwellings)          Urban

57-7

58-7

78

10.0

28.9

130.3 

56.052.0

182.03.0

  150.0

2775

60.10

61.10

68

8.7

25.72

113.0 

90.075.0

193.6 0.0 Nil

5080

66.10

67.10

48

7.4

21.7

91.4 

100.090.0

225.00.0 0.0

80.095

 Ipcd = Litres per capita per day (Source: Directorate of Econ. & Stat. DOA & Coop. MoA., Govt. of India, 1993)

The present transfer of technology cannot meet the demands

the people, and hence needs to be improved.

The future strategies

1.Increasing Food Production

2.Population Control for Economic Growth and Increased Food

Availability

3.Improving the purchasing power of the people.

4.Empowerment of women in the house which also helps in

improving the nutrition of the children and whole family.  

•Bridging the yield gap by appropriate technology input supply to double the existing production. •Improving the cropping and farming systems to generate income on a sustained basis. •Improving the food needs by popularsing new crops, •Popularizing nutrition gardens•Improving marketing, transportation, storage, pricing, post-harvest product development and technologies.

• Knowledge on proper utilization of income and income generating capacity to the village women who are really the food producers, gatherers, makers and protectors of the family health and nutrition.

Political will and national planning needs to be done wisely and implemented expeditiously

Increasing production of food grain and other commodities

The ill effects of bad weather, particularly droughts and resulting acute and chronic food insecurity a major source of concern for developing countries for many years.

Most of the responses to drought – induced food insecurity remains emergency and food-aid oriented.

Developing holistic policy approaches is fundamental for increasing food security in drought prone environments

I.The land based coping mechanisms:

Intercrop adjustments of cropped area

use of farm yard manure, fertilizers, pesticides, weedicides

applying seed treatment procedures

use of hybrid or improved seeds

use of canal or tank or well or borewell water for irrigation

use of lift irrigation method, deepening of wells, digging well or borewell

seeking support from State Agricultural department and shrinking of net sown area.

Coping Mechanisms

II.Livestock based coping mechanisms:

Animal rearing

carpet weaving with sheep wool

seeking support from State Veterinary Department

foraging in common property and

reduction in the livestock owned by selling, gifting, mortgaging or abandoning.

III.Curtailment in fresh acquisition and liquidation of both farm and non-farm assets by mortgaging or selling

The families to work on non-farm occupations

small trades during off-season

deriving the benefit of welfare programmes

call from remittance from relatives

postponement of acquisition of consumer durables

curtailment in the expenditure on all food and non-food items

obtaining loans, accepting to work for low wages and

employing children to borrowing money.

IV. Families resorted to opting to

work for kind

sending children to Anganwadi centre for food

procuring cheaper quality foods

collecting forest produce

procuring unconventional foods

decreasing purchase of foods by paying cash or from PDS and

purchasing foods on loan

V.The food storage based coping mechanisms:

storing the staple, in peak season

storing tamarind and red chillies

producing major crop and selling them during economic crises

VI.The production, consumption and distribution based coping mechanisms:

substitution of millets to rice, use of more puffed rice

horsegram or cowpea to redgram

cooking only once in a day, reducing the quantity of food intake, curtailment in number of meals from 3 to 2 by adults

selling the grains stored for seed purpose

curtailment in consumption of coffee and tea

diluting the milk or giving coffee/tea to children instead of milk

preparation of chutneys in place of vegetable or dhal preparations

curtailing work and activities to suppress hunger and forceful starvation.

VII.Curtailment in the use of intoxicants, cigarettes and pan

postponement of family functions

postponement or avoiding travel or traveling by walk to avoid transport charges

sending daughter-in-law along with children to parents house or sending children to grandparents house

avoiding guests, relatives, friends, gifts and beggars

maintaining the secrecy of food resources in the forests

reducing the other social activities involving expenditure

VIII.The health based coping mechanisms:

decrease in seeking health services from private clinics

increase in seeking health services from Government hospital, Anganwadi centres / community health centres

undergoing family planning operations at Government Hospitals

seeking health services from native practitioners, or directly from medical shops

postponement or avoiding operations

postponement or avoiding seeking medical services.

Few of these mechanisms are found to beneficial and can be encouraged

others are very harmful

necessary policy implications and immediate Government interventions are required. 

Household size;Dependency ratio;High percentage of preschoolers;Migration / timingRegion / community / casteTotal expenditure, Per capita Food expenditure,Per capita Food budget share, Basic staple prices 

.

Contd..

ALTERNATIVE AND TRADITIONAL INDICATORS AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL – DEVELOPED BY ICRISAT

The set of indicators included biological and socio-economic variables like

Income from remittances;

Rooms per capita in home;

Quality of house construction;

Location of water source and sanitation facilities;

Land area cultivated and owned

Occupation / crop-tenancy status;

Employment status;

Number of income sources;

Access to small-scale/backyard production

Livestock/type/owned/offered for sale;

Asset ownership;

Education of adults;

Number of unique foods consumed or available;

Subjective perceptions of participant as to quality of diet;

Number of missed meals;

Consumption of high-income elasticity items;

Quantity of food stores/how long will last/ability to store;

Alternative Indicators of Chronic Household Food Insecurity

•High household dependency ratio

• Village the household is located in

•Household contains at least one child with diarrhea

•Household purchases many foods on a daily or weekly basis

•Household purchases grain daily or weekly

•Poor quality of drinking water in summer (r3)and monsoon (r1)

•Households frequently substituting oilseeds for oil

•Households containing working women who have young children

•Households with a high dependency ratio and a low number of owned plots

•Households with a high dependence ratio and a low number of agricultural wage workers in household

•Households with a high dependency ratio and a low number of income sources in household

•Household with a high dependency ratio and have taken a food loan within last 4 months

Conventional

•High share of household expenditure on food

•Low per capita household expenditure

•Low per capita household food expenditure

Indicators to Plan, Monitor and Evaluate Food and Nutrition Security Programmes

      I. Adequate food and nutrition

      1.Proper nutrition surveillance from birth to five years and no moderate and severe PEM.

      2. School children receive adequate food for nutritional

requirements

3.Pregnant women receive adequate and proper food, and delivery of

newborn babies with birth weight not less than 3,000 g.

           II. Proper housing and environment:

1. The house will last at least five years

2. Housing and the environment are hygienic and in order

3. The household possesses a hygienic latrine

4. Adequate clean drinking water is available all year around

                  III. Adequate basic health and education services

1 Full vaccination with BCG, DTP, OPV and measles vaccine for infants under one year.

2.Primary education for all children

3.Immunization with BCG,DTP and typhoid vaccine for primary school children 

4.Literacy among 14-50 year old citizens

5.Monthly education and information in health care, occupation and other important areas for the family

6. Adequate antenatal services

7.Adequate delivery and postpartum services

               IV. Security and safety of life and properties

1.      Security of people and properties

    V.  Efficiency in food production by the family

1. Growing alternative crops or soil production crops

2. Utilization of fertilizers to increase yields

3. Pest prevention and control in plants

4. Prevention and control of animal diseases

5. Use of proper genetic plants and animals

             VI. Family Planning

1.   Not more than two children per family and adequate family planning services

V II .   People participation in community development

1. Each family is a member of self-help activities

2. The village is involved in self-development activities

3.   Care of public properties

4.   Care and promotion of culture

5. Preservation of natural resources

6.   People are active in voting

7. The village committee is able to plan and implement projects

1.   VIII. Spiritual or ethical development2. 1.Being cooperative and helpful in the village

2.Family members are involved in religious practices once a

month

3.Neither gambling nor addiction to alcohol or other drugs by

family members

4.Modest living and expenses.

Success Factors in South Asian Community-Based Nutrition Programmes

1.Political commitment at all levels of society.

2.A culture where people, particularly women, are involved in decision making.

3.The presence of community organizations.

4.A high level of literacy, especially among women.

Contextual Success Factors

5. Infrastructure for the delivery of basic services, including committed and capable staff.

6. Empowered women.

7. Charismatic leaders in the community, who can mobilize and motivate people to do more for themselves in a genuinely self-reliant way.

8. The parallel implementation of poverty reducing programmes, particularly where the nutrition-oriented programme / project is integrated with these.

Programme Success Factors:

1. The creation of awareness of the high prevalence, serious consequences and available low-cost solutions of the nutrition problem.

2. The initiation, promotion and support of a process where individuals and communities participate in assessing the nutrition problem and decide on how to use their and additional outside resources for actions.

3. Clear identification and definition of time-bound goals (targets) at all levels of the programme/project.

4. Strengthening of the awareness and understanding of the causes of malnutrition, including the hierarchy of immediate, underlying and basic causes, and the need to address causes at all three levels.

5. The identification and support of facilitators and community mobilizers

6. Community mobilization and participation

7. Community-based monitoring

8.Both the community and the Government ownership of the programme/project

9.Income-generating activities supported by low-interest credit arrangements for the poor, particularly poor women.

10.Capacity building through training and continuing education of facilitators, community mobilizers and community members in general, particularly women.

11.Good management of the programme/project, including effective leadership, supervision and coordination.

12.Increased cost consciousness and capability to estimate resource requirements.

13. The involvement of NGOs.

Achieving sustainable food security for all by 2020 Nine Critical Driving Forces

  1.Accelerating Globalization and Further Trade Liberalization

2.Sweeping Technological Changes

3.Degradation of Natural Resources and Increasing Water Scarcity

4.Health and Nutrition Crises

5.Rapid Urbanization

6.The Changing Face of Farming

7.Continued Conflict

8.Climate Change

9.Changing roles and responsibilities of Key actors

Seven Pro-poor Action Areas

  1.Investing in Human Resources

2.Improving Access to Productive Resources and Remunerative

Employment

3.Improving Markets, Infrastructure, and Institutions

4.Expanding Appropriate Research, Knowledge, and Technology

5.Improving Natural Resource Management

6.Good Governance

7.Pro-poor National and International Trade and Macroeconomics

Policies

Strategies required for household food and nutrition security: 

1.1.Ensuring adequate employment opportunities as to enable them to

meet their basic family needs

2.2.Ensuring availability of food at affordable prices locally.

3.3.Increasing the literacy status/awareness of women with regard to

Nutrition, Health and Hygiene.

4.4.Increasing the awareness of family members specially women with

regard to importance of hormony in the family. Good relationship

among spouses.

5.5.Empowering the women to make appropriate decisions in

management of resources, curtailment of expenditure on luxuries and

vices of men.

Principles on which conquest of poverty, malnutrition, and Food

Security in India has to be based.

  A.    The protection of the health and Nutritional status of their

children must be considered as the moral and legal responsibility and

obligation of all parents. The state can only provide the necessary

facilities.

B.    It is the right of all able-bodied adults to expect the state to

provide them full employment which will at least guarantee them

minimum wages to satisfy the basic needs of their family including

particularly the needs of their children.