Associations between dietary patterns and adequate intake of climate-sensitive micronutrients among young children living in Siaya County, Kenya: Findings from the ALIMUS study baseline data

Background Climate change impacts food security in sub-Saharan Africa due to harvest losses and micronutrient reductions in staple foods. We aimed at identifying dietary patterns and their associations with climate-sensitive micronutrients (iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin A) among young children in rural Kenya. Methods We analyzed baseline data ( N = 626; age range: 6–23 months, male sex: 54%) of a cluster-randomized controlled trial for nutrition interventions in Siaya county. Nutrient adequacy ratios (NARs) were calculated from semi-quantitative food frequency data. Dietary patterns were derived from food groups by Principal Component Analysis. In multiple-adjusted logistic regression models, we calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between dietary patterns and climate-sensitive micronutrients. Results The proportions of micronutrient inadequacy (NAR < 80%) were 85% for iron, 63% for zinc, 31% for Vitamin A, and 11% for selenium. Pattern 1 explained 12.7% of the variation in food intake and was inversely associated with iron inadequacy (OR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.37) and zinc inadequacy (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.86). Pattern 2 explained 8.0% and was positively associated with iron inadequacy (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.16). Pattern 3 explained 6.4% and showed higher odds of zinc inadequacy (OR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.43, 2.44) and selenium inadequacy (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.25, 3.06) in the fully adjusted models. Conclusions The intakes of iron, zinc, and vitamin A remain inadequate among young children in Siaya county. Pattern 1, but not the modernized diets (patterns 2 and 3), appears to support adequate intake of climate-sensitive micronutrients. Nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs are recommended to strengthen micronutrient adequacy in this region. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00019076.