An assessment of the causes of malnutrition in Ethiopia: A ...

CHAPTER 3: FOOD SECURITY AND MALNUTRITION IN ETHIOPIA
AN ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF AN UNDERLYING DETERMINANT OF
MALNUTRITION
Demese Chanyalew, PhD
Consultant Agricultural Economist
Addis Ababa
Executive Summary
Introduction
The formulation of Ethiopia’s National Nutrition Strategy has to prevail over the
nagging problem of oversimplification in policy making circles in Ethiopia that nutrition is a
food issue and hence the presence of the Food Security Strategy (FSS) suffices to address
issues of nutrition in the country. Though food insecurity is a determinant of malnutrition,
malnutrition is also a determinant of food insecurity. Food insecurity leads to malnutrition
through the effects of inadequate dietary intake and utilization of food for a healthy life at any
age group but more seriously affects infants, children and women. Malnutrition leads to food
insecurity through productivity containment in a farm household.
This study used the triple-A approach (Assessment-Analysis-Action) to link food
insecurity to malnutrition in the presence of the basic, other underlying, and immediate
determinants of malnutrition. The assessment and analysis started from setting clear
definitional and conceptual frameworks, and investigating related national and regional
trends. Core policies and strategies, as well as programs related to food security are reviewed,
and the gaps in terms of nutrition inclusiveness are assessed. Finally twenty-one issues and
interventions are recommended to be considered in the preparation of the national nutrition
strategy.
Defining food security, malnutrition and related terms
The definition of food security employed for this study is availability, access and
utilization of sufficient food by all people at all times for an active and healthy life. This is
also the definition adopted by the regional bureaus, as confirmed during the consultant team’s
visit to regions for consultative meetings. Food availability is related to the production as well
as domestic marketing and import aspects of the supply side of food. Food marketing, storage,
processing, cooking practices, feeding practices and nutrition make up what is called ‘food
utilisation’. Even if the utilization aspect of food security is fulfilled, nutrition security is not
necessarily achieved.
The link between agriculture and nutrition occurs via food, either processed from
homegrown sources or procured from elsewhere. In a broader perspective the food insecurity
determinants of nutrition are related to the assessment and analysis of the quantity of food
produced, procured, or received through transfers from other households or the government;
the quality of the food; and the diversity of the diet. In this connection, the availability and
use of micronutrient-fortified food is also important.
Malnutrition is a physical condition or process that results from the interaction of
inadequate diet and infection and is most commonly reflected in poor infant growth; reduced
cognitive development, anemia, and blindness in those suffering severe micronutrient
deficiency; and excess morbidity and mortality in adults and children alike.
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