Evaluation of Dietary Intake and Food Insecurity: A Case Study on Selected Households from Lahore,Pakistan

Saba Yousaf; Umar Bacha; Mehak Zafar; Ahmad Raza; Muhammad  Arbaz Khan; Shahar Bano; Zunaira Tauqeer; Faheem Mustafa; Muhammad  Naveed Afzal

doi:10.18502/jnfs.v6i4.7617

Saba Yousaf School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, C-II Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Umar Bacha School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, C-II Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Mehak Zafar School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, C-II Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Ahmad Raza School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, C-II Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Arbaz Khan School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, C-II Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Shahar Bano School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, C-II Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Zunaira Tauqeer School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, C-II Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Faheem Mustafa School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, C-II Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Naveed Afzal School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, C-II Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jnfs.v6i4.7617

Keywords: Dietary intake; Food insecurity; Poverty; Food diversity

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity consistently challenges middle-income countries, including Pakistan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary food intake of the households in the selected location through a semi-structured questionnaire.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 500 households comprised 2094 participants to investigate dietary intake and status of food insecurity. Furthermore, socio-demographic and weekly dietary food intake was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire in 2019. Those households who assent to participate were included in the study.

Results: Mean household size was 5.80±2.05 comprised 49.27% male and 50.61% female. Six food types were commonly consumed in the study population. Among these foods (g/capita/day) starch remained at the top 734.43 followed by fruits 256.02 and vegetables 89.77. These data highlighted limited dietary diversity and reduced dietary intake. The energy intake (per capita/day) from the food basket, contribution of the starch was the highest 32.37% versus protein 14.43%, milk 14.08%, vegetables 1.31%, and fruit 7.79% with an overall calories intake 81.08% from all food groups except tea. Finally, of the 500 households, 42.4% people were below the poverty line, 41.8% people at the poverty line, and 15.8% people were above the poverty line.

Conclusion: The results showed that dietary intake of the participants was below the reference intake, demonstrating food insecurity and unbalanced diet.