Assessment of nutrient intake among rural farming households in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Adequate nutrient intake is one of the key promoters of good health. An inadequate diet, poor in both quantity and quality constitutes the major reason for high level of malnutrition among farming households.

Objective: The study assessed nutrient intake among rural farming households in Imo State, Nigeria.

Methods: A four-staged sampling technique was used to select a total of 122 farming households in Imo state. Purposively, caregivers in each of the selected households were interviewed. Analysis of nutrient intake was performed using Food Processor Software version 11.7.1, while all statistical analysis were performed using SPSS version 23.0. Usual nutrient intake of the farming households' caregivers were compared with the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). Caregivers' anthropometric parameters were obtained using standard instruments

Results: Averagely, households' breadwinner's monthly income, years spent in education by households' caregivers, and household size were ₦45000±33500, 12.99±2.53, and 5±2 respectively. Almost half (51.6%) of the households' caregivers had normal weight. Average contribution of protein, fat and carbohydrate to the total energy intake were adequate for the households' caregivers. Compared to recommendations, all the caregivers aged 19-30 years had inadequate intakes of vitamins D and K. Over 83.0% of the households' caregivers aged 31-50 years had inadequate intake of calcium. However, more than 78.0% of the households' caregivers in each of the age group had excess intake of copper.

Conclusion: The study therefore concludes that mean intake of potassium, calcium, vitamins D and K for the farming households in the study area were inadequate, while protein intake was adequate.