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Do home gardens improve the nutrition of rural pre-schoolers in Lesotho?

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  • Likeleli Makhotla
  • Sheryl Hendriks

Abstract

In this study, the contribution of household gardens to the nutritional status of pre-schoolers in Lesotho was investigated. The anthropometric status of children under five years of age was measured in five randomly selected villages in five districts of Lesotho during November and December 1999. In each district, the nutritional status of an average of 538 children was assessed. Production from household gardens was investigated to determine whether households had access to vegetables throughout the year. Despite a significant association between the presence of home gardens and lower incidences of wasting and underweight, the nutritional status of children in households with or without home gardens in sampled areas is poor. Some 49 per cent of children from households with food gardens were stunted, 29 per cent were underweight, and 24 per cent showed wasting. Many households do not produce enough vegetables rich in vitamin A to meet both their consumption and nutritional needs. Recommendations include intensified production of a wider mix of crops that include starchy crops, vitamin A-rich vegetables and fruit trees to ensure a significant impact on children's nutritional status.

Suggested Citation

  • Likeleli Makhotla & Sheryl Hendriks, 2004. "Do home gardens improve the nutrition of rural pre-schoolers in Lesotho?," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(3), pages 575-581.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:deveza:v:21:y:2004:i:3:p:575-581
    DOI: 10.1080/0376835042000265496
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    Cited by:

    1. Corinna May Walsh & Michelle Shannon Fouché & Mariette Nel & Frederik Booysen, 2020. "The Impact of a Household Food Garden Intervention on Food Security in Lesotho," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Jean de Dieu Habimana & Aline Uwase & Noel Korukire & Sara Jewett & Maryse Umugwaneza & Lawrence Rugema & Cyprien Munyanshongore, 2023. "Prevalence and Correlates of Stunting among Children Aged 6–23 Months from Poor Households in Rwanda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Michael Takudzwa Pasara & Steven Henry Dunga, 2022. "Value Chains And Climate Change Mitigation Strategies: A Case Of Nutritional Gardens In Zimbabwe," Eurasian Journal of Business and Management, Eurasian Publications, vol. 10(1), pages 62-75.
    4. World Bank, 2010. "Lesotho - Sharing Growth by Reducing Inequality and Vulnerability : Choices for Change A Poverty, Gender, and Social Assessment," World Bank Publications - Reports 2884, The World Bank Group.

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