DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS IN DESIGNING NUTRITION INTERVENTION PROGRAMS IN RURAL-AREAS OF KENYA

A comparative study was carried out in three localities in Kenya: Kwal e, Mbooni and Lwak in an attempt to identify dietary factors important in designing community based nutrition interventions. The data indica te geographical differences in age at weaning, reasons for termination of breastfeeding, the variety in the diets consumed and the nutrient intake adequacy. However, there was no difference in the duration in b reastfeeding and, for children above 6 months (a period when weaning i s recommended) rarely was there any food termed as ''baby food'' but c hildren consumed bits and portions of the family food. In all the loca lities, there was no statistical difference between households with ma lnourished children and those without in most of the factors. Househol ds with children admitted in the nutritional rehabilitation centres in the localities were, however, different in most of the characteristic s examined. It is concluded that dietary interventions should be targe ted to households and not children, mothers' care and nutrition are of paramount importance if the nutrition condition of their children is to be improved and, planning of nutritional interventions should be sp ecific to the districts.