A Community-Based Approach to Integrating Socio, Cultural and Environmental Contexts in the Development of a Food Database for Indigenous and Rural Populations: The Case of the Batwa and Bakiga in South-Western Uganda.
Comprehensive food lists and databases are a critical input for programs aiming to alleviate undernutrition. However, standard methods for developing them may produce databases that are irrelevant for marginalised groups where nutritional needs are highest. Our study provides a method for identifying critical contextual information required to build relevant food lists for Indigenous populations. For our study, we used mixed-methods study design with a community-based approach. Between July and October 2019, we interviewed 74 participants among Batwa and Bakiga communities in south-western Uganda. We conducted focus groups discussions (FGDs), individual dietary surveys and markets and shops assessment. Locally validated information on foods consumed among Indigenous populations can provide results that differ from foods listed in the national food composition tables; in fact, the construction of food lists is influenced by multiple factors such as food culture and meaning of food, environmental changes, dietary transition, and social context. Without using a community-based approach to understanding socio-environmental contexts, we would have missed 33 commonly consumed recipes and foods, and we would not have known the variety of ingredients' quantity in each recipe, and traditional foraged foods. The food culture, food systems and nutrition of Indigenous and vulnerable communities are unique, and need to be considered when developing food lists.
['Scarpa|Giulia|G|0000-0002-4810-4293', 'Berrang-Ford|Lea|L|', 'Twesigomwe|Sabastian|S|', 'Kakwangire|Paul|P|', 'Peters|Remco|R|', 'Zavaleta-Cortijo|Carol|C|0000-0003-4969-8959', 'Patterson|Kaitlin|K|0000-0002-3444-0472', 'Namanya|Didacus B|DB|', 'Lwasa|Shuaib|S|0000-0003-4312-2836', 'Nowembabazi|Ester|E|', 'Kesande|Charity|C|', 'Harris-Fry|Helen|H|', 'Cade|Janet E|JE|0000-0003-3421-0121']
D044383:Blacks D003469:Culture D000079803:Data Management D016208:Databases, Factual D004032:Diet D004034:Diet Surveys D017144:Focus Groups D063105:Food Assistance D005523:Food Supply D006801:Humans D000081034:Indigenous Peoples D012424:Rural Population D012931:Social Environment D014454:Uganda
Indigenous and rural populations south-western Uganda food list food culture environmental changes community-based research food composition database