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

Abstract

We conducted a nutritional survey to describe monthly variation in food consumption among subsistence farmers in Malawi, Southeastern Africa. Of special interest was the identification of foods whose intake changes contributed most to the seasonal fluctuation of overall energy intake. For this purpose, dietary intakes of 593 pregnant women were analysed with 24‐h recall methodology. Mean daily energy intakes varied from 1520 kcal/woman in February (rainy season) to 2250 kcal/woman in April (post‐harvest period). On average, maize provided two‐thirds (63%) of the energy. Other important sources were roots and tubers (11%), fish (5%), fruit (4%), legumes (4%) and vegetables (3%). The rainy season decrease in energy intakes was associated with a marked reduction in the consumption of roots and tubers, fruit, legumes and vegetables. Storage of selected food items and development of agricultural market could alleviate nutritional problems associated with climatic seasonality in rural Malawi.