Summary by Alison Ridington, Research Assistant, TSEDEQ
August 2004
Maternal Nutrition Knowledge and the Demand for Micronutrient-Rich Foods: Evidence from Indonesia, Steven Block, J. Developmental Studies, 40:6, 8-105.
The basic knowledge for shifting form a rice to a micronutrient society.
This study concerns mothers' knowledge of nutrients in their family diets. It compares the cost of nutrients to the fundamental staple in the Indonesian society: rice. Through extensive surveys in villages across Indonesia, the Helen Keller International in coordination with UNICEF conclude that nutrition education by schools and alternatively health centers is the key to a better nourished generation.
Two thirds of the sample had completed primary schooling. Through schooling the mothers had a wider base of knowledge of which foods would provide more nutrients to their family. Rice is the staple of the society and makes up approximately half of the daily caloric intake. Health centers are trying to produce ideas of alternatives to this carbohydrate diet, including increased leafy greens and eggs to provide protein, vitamin A and iron. In a world where iron is the highest deficiency, this intake is essential to diets and will decrease anemia and premature death.
Nutrition training is a positive alternative to schooling. In many poor cities families can not afford, monetarily or time, to send their children or themselves to school since they need the hands for labor. Through this nutrition focused training they will be able to reach an outcome that will enhance life potential.
Food budgets differ from levels of households and incomes. Educated mothers significantly devote a larger amount of their budget to micronutrient-rich foods as compared to uneducated mothers. Whatever the income, mothers that have a base of knowledge due to education commit a large portion of their budget to nutritious foods. With this knowledge their diets are slowly changing from their once rice binge.
The first step to a change is educating women on the significance of a health center. Over 47% of the women have learned about nutrition through public health workers, but a mere 12% knew the health facilities' functions. This is a readily available resource, shown to be at longest a twenty minute walk from a village. If women can not and have not received a full formal education, health centers are a primary resource that will specifically train them in enhancing the lives of their families. A nutrient rich diet will increase cognitive and intellectual development, which will lead to a healthier intellectual and physical society.