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74 © European Journal of Scientific Research, Vol 7, No 5, 2005 FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERN AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD INSECURITY IN TWO COMMUNITIES IN IBADAN, OYO STATE. NIGERIA *Sanusi RA,**Manyong VM, *Akinyele IO,***Bamire ASA, *Oginni AB. *Department of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, ** International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. Nigeria and Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University. ABSTRACT Food consumption pattern and food security status of households were assessed in two communities (Akobo and Abadina) in Ibadan, Oyo State, Southwest, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine the food consumption pattern of the households, to measure the prevalence of food insecurity and adequacy of dietary intake among the households. One hundred and six households were subjects for the study; 53 households from each community. The households were chosen using a simple random sampling technique from the sampling frame of all households with at least a motherchild pair, the child being less than 60 months old. The prevalence of food insecurity was measured using the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Security Module Questionnaires and Scale. The food consumption pattern of the households was determined by using food frequency questionnaires. Data obtained was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and test of significance of differences between means and proportion in the two communities. The results of the study show that 10% of the households in these communities were food secure, thus, meaning that the prevalence of household food insecurity was very high. About 49% of the households in Akobo community were food insecure with hunger while 42% were food insecure without hunger in Abadina community. The frequently consumed foods among the households were carbohydrate foods such as rice, bread, pap, garri, and complemented by fish, moinmoin and beef. The frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables was low. In conclusion, the high consumption of carbohydrate foods, with low consumption of protein foods and a relatively low consumption of fruits and vegetables observed among the target households could be attributed to the high prevalence of household food insecurity in the two communities. Key words: Food consumption, Household, Food insecurity, INTRODUCTION Hunger and malnutrition prevalence is perceived to be high among households in Nigeria. Nutritional deficiencies have been found to be associated with the high rates of disability, morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, especially among infants and young children (NPC and UNICEF, 2001). Thus, the importance of adequate nutrition for women and children cannot be overemphasized and remains a great a concern in the
© European Journal of Scientific Research, Vol 7, No 5, 2005 country (NDHS, 2003). The types, quantity, quality and frequency of food eaten is reported to have declined over recent years (Todd, 1995). In spite of this, the 2003 NDHS Report shows that one-fifth of Nigerian women weigh more than they should: 15% are overweight and 6% are obese. While about two-third of women (64%) have body mass index (BMI) in the normal range, 15% are thin, and 2% are severely thin. This therefore implies that both forms of malnutrition (undernutrition and overnutrition) coexist in the population. This has been described as a double burden of disease (Hawkes et al 2005). The implication of this on the health budget is ominous. The population of Nigeria is predominantly rural; approximately one-third live in urban areas (NDHS, 2003). Despite her wealth of human and natural resources, Nigeria is ranked among the 13 poorest countries in the world and two of every three Nigerians live below the poverty line of US$1 a day (World Bank, 2001). It is a paradox that Nigeria is rich but Nigerians are poor (World Bank, 1995). Poverty directly and indirectly affects dietary intake and food consumption is influenced by household food insecurity. While 80% of Nigerians spend more than 80% of their income on food, the food insecurity level among the households is perceived to be high. The conclusion drawn from Federal Office of Statistics (FOS) surveys show that poor households face food insecurity before harvest time and are often limited to starch-based consumption, particularly such items as cassava products (World Bank, 1996). The high prevalence of poverty observed in the country is one of the basic factors responsible for the problem of food insecurity at the household level. Although studies conducted in recent times have been able to help determine and measure the prevalence of malnutrition in infants, young children and women populations, the magnitude of household food insecurity has not been adequately measured using a standard household food security scale. Therefore, the gap in knowledge in this area is undermining the evaluation various nutrition intervention programmes put in place to mitigate and control malnutrition in the country. Food-based approach has been identified as a cost effective means of reducing malnutrition. Biofortification of commonly consumed staples has been one of the proposed strategies to mitigate and control the problem of hidden hunger. However, the success of such programme is dependent on how well the staple foods are identified, the quantity and frequency of consumption are known, and the household food security status is measured. The Nigeria Food Consumption and Nutrition Survey (NFCNS) conducted in 2001 identified the affordability and availability and frequency of consumption of major staples consumed in Nigeria. However, the findings of the survey were national in scope; hence its use in designing targeted intervention programme for a particular socioeconomic class is limited. It is therefore essential that the level of household food insecurity be determined using a standard scale, and the staple foods including the quantity and frequency of their consumption in different socioeconomic classes and geopolitical zones be identified. This present study is a response to the need to answer some questions arising from this trend. 1. What is the prevalence of household food insecurity in the study communities?. 2. Why are they food insecure? 3. What do Nigerians especially of low income status consume as staple foods? 75
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