How diverse is the diet of adult South Africans?

• Main Authors: Steyn Nelia, Labadarios Demetre, Nel Johanna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-04-01
• Series: Nutrition Journal
• Subjects: Dietary diversity; Adults; Africa; Food groups; Food Security; 24 Hour Recall
• Online Access: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/33

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective of the current study was to measure dietary diversity in South Africans aged 16 years and older from all population groups as a proxy of food security.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study representative of adults from all specified ages, provinces, geographic localities, and socio-economic strata in South Africa was used (n = 3287). Trained interviewers visited participants at their homes during the survey. Dietary data was collected by means of a face validated 24 hour recall which was not quantified. A dietary diversity score (DDS) was calculated by counting each of 9 food groups. A DDS <4 was regarded as reflecting poor dietary diversity and poor food security.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The provinces with the highest prevalence of poor dietary diversity (DDS <4) were Limpopo (61.8%) and the Eastern Cape (59.6%). By contrast, only 15.7% of participants in Western Cape had a low score. Participants in tribal areas (63.9%) and informal urban areas (55.7%) were by far the worst affected. There were significant differences in DDS by Living Standards Mean (LSM) analysis (p < 0.05) with the lowest LSM group having the lowest mean DDS (2.93).The most commonly consumed food groups were cereals/roots; meat/fish; dairy and vegetables other than vitamin A rich. Eggs, legumes, and vitamin A rich fruit and vegetables were the least consumed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall the majority of South Africans consumed a diet low in dietary variety. The tribal areas and informal urban areas were worst affected and eggs, legumes and vitamin A rich fruit and vegetables, were the least consumed.</p>