Dietary change, noncommunicable disease and local knowledge: results of a small-scale study of the views of older Malawians

Vaughan, M., Dube, A., Namadingo, H., Crampin, A. , Gondwe, L., Kapira, G., Mbughi, J. and Nyasulu, M. (2018) Dietary change, noncommunicable disease and local knowledge: results of a small-scale study of the views of older Malawians. Wellcome Open Research, 3, 158. (doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14887.1)

Abstract

Interviews were conducted with a small group of Malawians over the age of 60 in rural Karonga district and in Area 25 of the capital, Lilongwe. We asked their views on the changes in diet that had taken place over their lifetimes and also on the causes of 'noncommunicable' diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension in their communities. Their answers generally confirmed research showing that dietary diversity is decreasing in Malawi, but many of our interviewees also recalled that hunger was more frequently experienced in the past. Our interviews revealed that though the essential rural diet based on either maize or cassava appears superficially largely unchanged, there have been significant changes in the varieties of crops grown, methods of production and food processing. Many of our interviewees were concerned that the application of chemical fertiliser and pesticides was harming their health.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust through an Investigator Award to MV [106534].
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Crampin, Professor Mia

Creator Roles

Crampin, A.: Resources, Supervision, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Vaughan, M., Dube, A., Namadingo, H., Crampin, A., Gondwe, L., Kapira, G., Mbughi, J., and Nyasulu, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Wellcome Open Research
• Publisher: F1000Research
• ISSN: 2398-502X
• ISSN (Online): 2398-502X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 Vaughan M et al.
• First Published: First published in Wellcome Open Research 3:158
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License