Examining Factors Driving Changes in Food Choice Behavior of Rural Households in Adola Rede District, East Guji Zone, Ethiopia

Improving nutrition across the life course from conception through adulthood is essential for the long- term well- being of families and communities and for successful economic and social advancement. A key challenge to achieving sustainable improvement in adequate food choice behavior is the limited knowledge about drivers of food choice particularly among the poor in LMIC, of which Ethiopia is one. Therefore the objective of this study is to identify factors influencing food choice behavior of rural households in Adola Rede district. Multi-stage sampling procedures were employed. Probability sampling to size and random sampling techniques were used to determine study sits, sample respondents from each study sits and draw sample respondents respectively. Survey data was collected from 150 sample respondents using interview schedule. Focus group discussions were also conducted. Descriptive statistics and ordered logit model were employed. Food choice behaviors of the rural households were categorized depending on Food Consumption Score used widely by World Food Program. Among 13 variables used in model, dependency ratio, total land holding, number of livestock owned, access to credit, education and agro- ecology were significantly related to the rural households’ food choice behavior. The food choice behaviors of the household respondents were 30% poor, 45% borderline and 25% adequate food choice behavior. An overwhelmingly, three- fourth of the respondents were found to be inappropriate food choice behavior. Therefore, local government and nongovernmental organizations should give emphasis for improving food choice behavior through continuous training, coaching, asset building and capital mobilization and improving access to different service provider institutions. Keywords: Ethiopia; drivers; food consumption score; food choice; rural households; ordered logit model DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/101-02 Publication date: September 30 th 2020