Seasonal variation in the dietary sources of energy for pregnant women in Lungwena, rural Malawi

We conducted a nutritional survey to describe monthly variation in food con sumption among subsistence farmers in Malawi, Southeastern Africa. Of speci al interest was the identification of foods whose intake changes contribute d:most to the seasonal fluctuation of overall energy intake. For-this purpo se, dietary intakes of 593 pregnant women were analysed with 24-h recall me thodology. Mean daily energy intakes varied from 1520 kcal/woman in Februar y (rainy season) to 2250 kcal/woman in April (post-harvest period). On aver age, maize provided two-thirds (63%) of the energy. Other important sources were roots and tubers (11%:), fish (5%), fruit (4%), legumes (4%) and vege tables (3%). The rainy season decrease in energy intakes was associated wit h a marked reduction in the consumption of roots and tubers, fruit, legumes and vegetables. Storage of selected food items and development of agricult ural market could alleviate nutritional problems associated with climatic s easonality in rural Malawi.