Diet, nutrition, and agricultural development in Swaziland. 2. Patterns of food consumption

Because food is a link between household economics and health, food consumption is increasingly accepted as a measure of well‐being for rural households. This paper outlines food consumption patterns for a sample of rural Swazi households cooperating with the Swaziland Cropping Systems Project. Results are based on 24‐hour recall interviews with 110 women in cooperator households (1386 food‐consumption days). Dietary patterns show a high reliance on maize and other starches and a high seasonality to the consumption of fruits, vegetables, milk and meat. Energy intake also varies seasonally and reported intake is less than estimated requirements for 84% of the women sampled. Lack of precision limits consumption surveys as measures of nutritional status. However, their clear reflection of household economics makes them the measure most likely to be supported by agricultural projects.

Key words:

• Food consumption
• nutrition
• agricultural development
• Southern Africa