Adolescent Nutrition and Food Environment Study in Vietnam

Background

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a qualified Consultant to provide research inputs for data analysis of a large, complex household survey to assess food environments, diet quality and nutritional status outcomes in urban, peri-urban, and rural contexts in Viet Nam. As part of the study, 24-hour dietary recalls were collected from around 2,880 adolescents and their mothers. A second 24-hour dietary recall was collected in 15% of the sample. Additional data were collected on adolescent and caregiver characteristics, food expenditure and non-expenditure and food environment (through household and food vendor surveys, respectively).

This study is part of one of the new CGIAR Research Initiatives called Sustainable Healthy Diets through Food Systems Transformation (SHiFT). SHiFT’s main goal is to ensure sustainable healthy diets for all through food systems transformation, making it the only CGIAR initiative with this primary focus. SHiFT’s aims are to stimulate the demand for/consumption of sustainable healthy diets and the supply of nutritious, safe, affordable, and sustainably produced foods (sustainable nutritious foods), while also improving livelihoods, gender equity, and social inclusiveness in all sectors of food systems. SHiFT’s target countries are Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Viet Nam, followed by India, Benin, Senegal, Guatemala, and Honduras. SHiFT is led by IFPRI together with The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (ABC) in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research (WUR).

Scope of work

The Consultant’s objectives for this work will be to:

♦ Participate in the development of the data analysis plan.

♦ Perform various tasks involving data cleaning and data analysis of 24-hour dietary recalls and related factors at individual, household, and food environment levels.

♦ Prepare tables and figures for manuscripts.

♦ Assist in drafting of research papers, presentations, etc.

♦ Participate in SHiFT team meetings as needed.

♦ Perform other duties as needed.

Deliverables

♦ Completed analysis on dietary intake for adolescents and their mothers. Annotated do files and tables/figures related to manuscripts of dietary intake.

♦ Completed analysis on anthropometry and blood pressures for adolescents and their mothers. Annotated do files and tables/figures related to manuscripts.

♦ Completed analysis of food environment (marketing dimension). Annotated do files and tables/figures related to manuscripts.

♦ Completed analysis on food environment characteristics. Annotated do files and tables/figures related to manuscripts.

Duration: 18 months from July 2023 to December 2024.

Level of effort: Estimated at approximately 100 days.

Required qualifications

♦ Masters’ degree in nutrition, public health, or a closely related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

♦ Demonstrated experience with data management, processing, and analysis of 24-hour recall data in Stata.

♦ Familiarity with portion size estimations methods and food composition tables used in Viet Nam.

♦ Basic understanding of adolescent health and nutrition related issues.

♦ Strong analytical quantitative skills as well as writing and research skills.

♦ Experience working effectively to achieve demanding deadlines.

♦ Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to multitask, focus, and work effectively.

♦ Ability to work collaboratively and independently while establishing strong working relationships and taking direction from one or more senior research staff.

♦ High level of attention to detail and accuracy of work.

♦ Proficiency in Vietnamese and English.