Abstract：
This mixed-methods cross-sectional study examines food consumption patterns, dietary diversity, and factors affecting food intake and malnutrition in the rural Mbale District in Eastern Uganda, during both wet and dry seasons. Participants (n = 100; 66% females) completed a food frequency questionnaire identifying foods and beverages consumed in the preceding 12 months. Individual interviews (n = 8) were conducted with key workers. Analysis of seventeen food items revealed seasonal variations in carbohydrate and protein sources. During the dry season, staples like matooke (mashed boiled plantains) and sweet and Irish potatoes were affected, while protein-rich foods such as beans and groundnuts saw increased consumption in the wet season. Fruit and vegetable intake also rose during the wet season. The main causes of malnutrition that emerged from the interviews were the lack of knowledge about food and nutrition, financial struggles, climate impact, and cultural beliefs. The last theme covered strategies to combat malnutrition. Although carbohydrate intake remains consistent throughout seasons due to reliance on posho (maize flour porridge) and cassava, variations in the number of meals and protein sources, particularly beans and groundnuts, were observed. Both of these, being the primary protein sources in rural households\' diets, are highly susceptible to climate fluctuations. This may pose significant implications for food security, as heightened climate instability may impede their production. Solutions to combat malnutrition discussed by the interviewees include education, employment, family planning, and healthcare improvements. Professionals emphasise the need for comprehensive approaches to address these complex issues. In addition, data on food consumption during the dry and wet seasons should be collected as a difference in food consumption during the seasons may become more prominent with the need to implement tailored interventions.
摘要：
这项混合方法的横断面研究检查了食物消费模式，饮食多样性，以及影响乌干达东部Mbale地区农村食物摄入和营养不良的因素，在潮湿和干燥的季节。参与者（n=100;66％的女性）完成了食物频率问卷，确定了前12个月消耗的食物和饮料。对关键工人进行了个人访谈(n=8)。对17种食品的分析显示，碳水化合物和蛋白质来源的季节性变化。在旱季,诸如matooke（捣碎的大本植物）以及甜土豆和爱尔兰土豆等主食受到影响，而豆类和花生等富含蛋白质的食物在雨季的消费量却有所增加。在雨季，水果和蔬菜的摄入量也有所增加。访谈中出现的营养不良的主要原因是缺乏有关食物和营养的知识,财政斗争,气候影响,和文化信仰。最后一个主题涵盖了与营养不良作斗争的战略。尽管由于对posho（玉米粉粥）和木薯的依赖，碳水化合物的摄入量在整个季节都保持一致，膳食和蛋白质来源数量的变化，尤其是豆类和花生，被观察到。这两个,作为农村家庭饮食中的主要蛋白质来源，极易受到气候波动的影响。这可能对粮食安全产生重大影响，因为加剧的气候不稳定可能会阻碍它们的生产。受访者讨论的对抗营养不良的解决方案包括教育，employment,计划生育,和医疗保健的改善。专业人士强调需要采取全面的方法来解决这些复杂的问题。此外,由于需要实施量身定制的干预措施，因此应收集旱季和雨季的食物消费数据，因为季节的食物消费差异可能会变得更加突出。
