This document outlines a pilot study investigating the relationship between livestock value chains and the nutritional status of women and children in Kenya. The study aims to evaluate the nutritional status and diets of households using different types of livestock value chains. A survey of 200 households in poor areas of Nairobi will assess the nutritional indicators like anthropometrics, diets, and hemoglobin of children and mothers. The value chains used by households for livestock products will also be analyzed. The study hypothesizes that access to livestock value chains is associated with better nutritional status. The objectives are to evaluate diets and nutrition in association with livestock consumption patterns and value chain use. This may help leverage animal source foods for improved nutrition in Kenya.

1. Investigation of the relationship
between livestock value chains and
nutritional status of women and
children: a pilot study in Kenya
A4NH Component 1: Enhancing Nutrition
in Value Chains

2. The paradox
Agricultural interventions Nutrition outcomes
Food interventions Nutrition outcomes

3. The questions
 Are livestock keepers, livestock eaters?
 How much do different ASF contribute to diets? Who gains
nutrition benefits and bears health risks?
 Are there health risks associated with dietary
transition/excessive consumption?
 What are the major constraints to ASF availability?
 How do consumers perceive quality & safety?
 How do culture & gender influence pathogen exposure &
nutritional benefits?
 Are there trade offs between food safety and nutritional
quality?
 Are there trade offs between food and feed?
 How does VC development influence safety & quality?

4. Hypothesis
There is an association between consumers’
access to and use of different food sources, in
particular livestock value chains, and their
nutritional status

5. Objectives
– To evaluate nutritional status, dietary adequacy and
dietary diversity of women and children.
– To assess consumer behaviour, preferences, choices and
consumption patterns.
– To investigate associations between nutritional
indicators, and the different types or clusters of livestock
value chains used by these consumers.
– To describe determinants of the livestock value chains
associated with poor nutritional status.
– To determine how animal source foods might help ensure
dietary adequacy by use of linear programming analysis.
– To develop a major research proposal on leveraging animal
source foods for nutrition based on the findings and
recommendations of the research.

6. Methods
- 200 household survey in poor areas of Nairobi
- Assess nutritional status of:
- Children between 1 and 3 years old
- Mother
- Nutritional indicators:
- Anthropometric measurement
- Dietary assessment (Diet recall 24h)
- Haemoglobin measurement

7. Methods II
- Assess livestock value chains used:
- Household products used: Type, origin, access,
affordability, temporal changes and other factors
- Livestock value chain analysis (Data obtained from another
project – Urban Zoonosis project)

8. Plan
- Post-doc full time (start August/September)
- Household Survey in October – February : 3 numerators will be
hired for 3 month  2 teams of 2 persons for data collection
- Value chain analysis: Preliminary results expected beginning of
January
Extra funding secured:
- LCIRAH
- ILRI (Nutrition and Health component)

9. Thanks
Kathleen Colverson (ILRI)
Delia Grace (ILRI)
Silvia Alonso (ILRI)
Jonathan Rushton (RVC)
Barbara Häsler (RVC)
Pablo Alarcon (RVC)
Elaine Ferguson (LHSTM)
Eric Fèvre (UoE)