FOOD PRICE EFFECTS ON DIETARY INTAKE OF PRE-PRIMARY CHILDREN IN LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN ELDORET, UASIN GISHU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Unpredictable fluctuations in food prices have a direct impact on household’s real income. High and volatile prices of food raise malnutrition through both substitution of food commodities and income effects on consumption. When food prices increase people often shift from more costly foods to cheap foods which may be of less nutrition value to compensate for reduced income. Children in these households are immediate victims of such adjustments. The study sought to determine the food price effects on dietary intake of pre-primary children in low-income peri- urban households in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. The study was descriptive survey research by design conducted in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. Theory of Planned Behaviour and Consumer Theory informed the study. A sample size of 399 low-income households was targeted, cluster, stratified and random sampling techniques were used to select 399 low-income households with pre-primary children, using Taro Yamane (1973) formula. Data was collected using researcher administered questionnaires to the caregivers. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software version 23, for the dietary intake of pre-primary children in low-income households. The study employed descriptive techniques to understand the current dietary trends in the region. Chi-square test established relationships between food prices and dietary intake and diversity. The study findings showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between increased food prices and dietary diversity score of households with pre-primary children (10, N=399) = 28.448, p=.002). The findings showed that there was a weak relationship between dietary diversity and education level of caregivers (r=0.184, p=0.002 which is less than 0.05). Majority of pre-primary children in these low-income households had three meals in a day with the cereal group being the highest consumed. Most households had a medium dietary diversity score. They adopted different coping strategies such as eating less preferred foods. The findings indicated a significant link between food accessibility for utilization and minimum dietary diversity (8, N=399) =26.32, p=0.013). The study concludes that food prices affect the dietary intake of pre-primary children in low-income households. The study recommends that the government should protect the populace against hunger by giving money monthly to low-income household. Stakeholders to adopt multiple ways to improve food security and dietary intake of low-income households. The government should enforce the existing policies that protect consumers against unpredictable food price spikes.