Research Data

This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 2,355 children aged 0-59 months in Tajikistan's 2023 Demographic and Health Survey to investigate whether zero consumption of fruits and vegetables (ZVF) is associated with childhood anemia. Despite 36.1% of children consuming no fruits or vegetables and 33.2% having anemia, the study found no significant association between ZVF and anemia (adjusted OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.63-1.14). Instead, maternal anemia (OR = 1.48), household wealth (richest vs. poorest: OR = 0.39), small birth size (OR = 1.92), and meal frequency emerged as the primary determinants of childhood anemia. This novel finding for Central Asia suggests that anemia interventions in Tajikistan should prioritize maternal nutrition during pregnancy, poverty reduction, and adequate feeding frequency rather than focusing solely on fruit and vegetable intake, as the latter may reflect broader socioeconomic constraints rather than being a direct causal factor in this staple-heavy dietary context.