The Positive Impact of Harvesting on Adolescent Food Security and Dietary Outcomes: Examining Diet Diversity, Food Consumption, Food Security and Coping Strategies in Machakel, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa face significant food and nutrition security challenges, worsened by socio-economic factors, limited access to nutritious food, and seasonal changes. This cross-sequential, mixed-method study examined dietary diversity, food consumption, and food security among 410 high school students in Machakel district, Northwest Ethiopia, during pre-harvest and post-harvest seasons. Quantitative data were gathered using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), Food Consumption Score (FCS), and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), and analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Wilcoxon tests (STATA 17). Qualitative data on coping strategies collected through interviews and focus group discussions were analyzed using MAX QDA. Results showed a significant improvement in food security and dietary diversity after harvest. Before harvest, 26.8% of students were food secure, compared to 61.9% after harvest. Similarly, severe food insecurity dropped from 1.7% to 0.9%. Dietary diversity and food consumption scores also increased significantly after harvest, changing from mostly low scores before harvest to acceptable and high scores afterward. Socioeconomic factors, such as living arrangements, school distance, parental education, and household socioeconomic status, were significantly linked to food security and dietary diversity. During food-insecure times, coping strategies included sharing resources, community support, borrowing, and theft. This study highlighted significant seasonal and socio-economic differences in adolescent food and nutrition security. Year-round, comprehensive interventions are crucial to address these gaps, such as school feeding programs, nutrition education, and social support systems. These efforts should aim to boost adolescent resilience and promote long-term health by providing consistent access to nutritious food and reducing the effects of socio-economic vulnerabilities