Seasonal variation in dietary diversity score and food variety score among an indigenous Karen population in western Thailand: A cross-sectional study
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Issued Date
2025-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
13689800
eISSN
14752727
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105017457123
Journal Title
Public Health Nutrition
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Public Health Nutrition (2025)
Suggested Citation
Joompa P., Gowachirapant S., Chotiboriboon S., Sarasak R., Thongkam N., Kongpunya P., Kriengsinyos W. Seasonal variation in dietary diversity score and food variety score among an indigenous Karen population in western Thailand: A cross-sectional study. Public Health Nutrition (2025). doi:10.1017/S1368980025101225 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/112471
Title
Seasonal variation in dietary diversity score and food variety score among an indigenous Karen population in western Thailand: A cross-sectional study
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Abstract
Objective: This study compared dietary diversity and nutrient adequacy across age groups and seasons within an indigenous Karen community. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Dietary intake was assessed using a single-day 24-hour dietary recall among Karen community members living in two villages of Laiwo subdistrict, Sangkhlaburi district, Kanchanaburi province, Thailand. Participants: In total, 312 Karen people participated during the rainy season and 344 during the dry season, including school-age children (6-12 years), working-age people (19-59 years), and older people (≥60 years). Results: Dietary diversity scores (DDS) and food variety scores (FVS) significantly differed across age groups for both seasons. However, seasonal DDS differences were not observed within any group, except for the FVS of school-age children. Over 70% of participants in all age groups had inadequate intake of key micronutrients - calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 - as indicated by nutrient adequacy ratios (NARs) < 0.75. Moderate to strong positive correlations between DDS and NARs for energy, vitamin B2, vitamin C, niacin, and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) (r = 0.418-0.691, p < 0.001) were observed exclusively in the dry season and across all age groups. Conclusion: Among the Karen people, who are also facing triple burden malnutrition, dietary diversity is limited, micronutrient inadequacy is prevalent, and overall dietary quality is insufficient despite frequent vegetable consumption. Findings highlight the need to address systemic challenges related to food variety and to promote education on appropriate food quantities, preparation methods, and sustainable traditional food systems to improve nutrition.