Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40228849›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Patterns, socioeconomic inequalities and determinants of healthy eating in Kenya: results from a national cross-sectional survey.

Elvis Omondi Achach Wambiya, Hermann P P Donfouet, Samuel Kipruto, Lyagamula Kisia, Jane Osindo, Isaac Kisiangani, James Odhiambo Oguta, Patrick G Ilboudo, Shukri F Mohamed

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Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Elvis Omondi Achach WambiyaSheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK eowambiya@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4149-3417
Hermann P P DonfouetWorld Bank, Washington, DC, USA.
Samuel KiprutoKenya National Bureau of Statistics, Nairobi, Kenya.
Lyagamula KisiaEmerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya.
Jane OsindoEmerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya.
Isaac KisianganiEmerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya.
James Odhiambo OgutaSheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Patrick G IlboudoMaternal and Child Wellbeing Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1956-6971
Shukri F MohamedChronic Disease Management Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8693-1943

Funding

Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe burden of non-communicable diseases is rising in low-and-middle-income countries, with diet being a key risk factor. This study aimed to assess the patterns, socioeconomic inequalities and determinants of eating healthy in Kenya. The study is the first in Kenya to use a healthy diet index to assess dietary patterns. DESIGN AND

methodsWe analysed cross-sectional data from the 2015/16 Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey. The study's outcome variable was a continuous healthy diet index (HDI) constructed using principal component analysis from nine WHO/Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) healthy diet recommendations. The HDI score and WHO/FAO healthy diet recommendations met were summarised for Kenyan households. Using the concentration index, we examined the socioeconomic disparities in healthy eating. In addition, multivariable linear regression was used to determine factors that influence healthy eating in Kenya.

resultsA total of 21 512 households in Kenya were included, of which 60% were rural and about two-thirds headed by males. The HDI score ranged between -1.13 and 1.70, with a higher value indicating healthier eating. Overall, the average HDI score was 0.24 (95% CI: 0.24 to 0.25), interpreted as moderate. We identified key determinants including socioeconomic status and urban-rural residency differences. Healthy eating was concentrated among higher socioeconomic households, regardless of gender or location. Higher socioeconomic status (β=0.28, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.30), rural residence (β=0.18, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.20), household head being in union (β=0.04, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.06) or employed (β=0.05, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.08) were significantly associated with increased HDI scores, whereas male-headed households and lack of education were associated with significant decreases in HDI scores on average.

conclusionsMost Kenyan households do not meet all the healthy dietary recommendations, and socioeconomic inequalities exist in eating healthy. Targeted interventions that promote healthy eating based on key determinants in Kenya are required.

Indexed as

Diet, HealthyAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFamily CharacteristicsFeeding BehaviorFemaleHumansKenyaLinear ModelsMaleMiddle AgedRural PopulationSocial ClassSocioeconomic FactorsUrban PopulationChronic DiseaseEPIDEMIOLOGYNUTRITION & DIETETICSPUBLIC HEALTH

Identifiers

PMID40228849
PMCPMC11997820

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.