Intergenerational Participatory Discussion Groups Foster Knowledge Exchange to Improve Child Nutrition and Food Security in Northern Malawi

Abstract

This article assesses the effectiveness of a participatory, intergenerational, dialogue approach in addressing gender and generational conflicts related to both child nutrition and agriculture. Analysis of 46 interviews and 3 focus groups with smallholder farmers in rural agrarian communities with high rates of child malnutrition in northern Malawi suggested that participatory discussion can lead to positive change, including increasing child feeding frequency and dietary diversity. An intergenerational, transformative, and holistic approach to nutrition education which integrates agricultural and gender issues can effectively address sensitive conflicts within households and communities that affect child nutrition, and come up with local solutions.

KEYWORDS:

• nutrition education
• participatory methods
• child nutrition
• transformative learning
• dialogue
• grandmothers
• dietary diversity

Notes

¹SFHC 2005 survey data, n = 223, unpublished data.