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Oct 24, 2005Article Details
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Nutrient intake and consumption of indigenous foods among college students in Limpopo Province
Abstract
Objective. To determine the habitual diet and the consumption of indigenous foods among college students in Limpopo province.
Design. The sample consisted of 37 healthy student volunteers (18 males and 19 females) aged 23.3 ±2.38 years, with a body mass index of 22.7 ±2.32 kg/m2. A validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect information on the habitual diet of the participants. Nutrient analysis was done using FoodFinder.
Results. Mean dietary intakes were 10 042 kJ, 16.3% protein energy, 28.9% fat energy and 54.8% carbohydrate energy for females, and 12 050 kJ, 16.7% protein energy, 26.4% fat energy and 56.9% carbohydrate energy for males. The contribution of fat, carbohydrate and protein to total energy intake was similar for males and females. Frequency of food item consumption varied among students with indigenous foods consumed less often. Consumption of indigenous foods was similar in male and female subjects.
Conclusion. The habitual diet of the college students was estimated, and compared favourably with other reported data. However, patterns of indigenous food consumption were difficult to estimate. Although the number of indigenous foods used was high at 28 of 60 food items, consumption in terms of both quantity and the total number of students consuming these foods was low. Further studies are needed to determine the patterns of indigenous food intake and the contribution of these foods to total nutrient intake.
South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 18 (1) 2005: 32-38
Design. The sample consisted of 37 healthy student volunteers (18 males and 19 females) aged 23.3 ±2.38 years, with a body mass index of 22.7 ±2.32 kg/m2. A validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect information on the habitual diet of the participants. Nutrient analysis was done using FoodFinder.
Results. Mean dietary intakes were 10 042 kJ, 16.3% protein energy, 28.9% fat energy and 54.8% carbohydrate energy for females, and 12 050 kJ, 16.7% protein energy, 26.4% fat energy and 56.9% carbohydrate energy for males. The contribution of fat, carbohydrate and protein to total energy intake was similar for males and females. Frequency of food item consumption varied among students with indigenous foods consumed less often. Consumption of indigenous foods was similar in male and female subjects.
Conclusion. The habitual diet of the college students was estimated, and compared favourably with other reported data. However, patterns of indigenous food consumption were difficult to estimate. Although the number of indigenous foods used was high at 28 of 60 food items, consumption in terms of both quantity and the total number of students consuming these foods was low. Further studies are needed to determine the patterns of indigenous food intake and the contribution of these foods to total nutrient intake.
South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 18 (1) 2005: 32-38
