Open AccessFood consumption pattern and dietary diversity of a vegetarian population in Ghana
Author(s) -
Matilda Asante,
Benjamin Frimpong,
Freda Dzifa Intiful,
Portia Nkumsah-Riverson,
Somah A. Nkansah,
Boadiwaa Ofori-Amanfo,
Yaunuick Y. Dogbe,
George Awuku Asare
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ghana medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.294
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2616-163X
pISSN - 0016-9560
DOI - 10.4314/gmj.v55i1.5
Subject(s) - medicine , food group , environmental health , dietary diversity , population , diversity (politics) , food science , nutrient , food frequency questionnaire , biology , agriculture , food security , anthropology , ecology , sociology
Objective: This study examined the food consumption pattern and dietary diversity of a vegetarian population in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed to examine the nutritional status of four (4) vegetarian groups in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. One hundred and twenty-two (122) vegetarians were recruited using the total enumeration technique. Food consumption pattern and dietary diversity were assessed using a validated qualitative food frequency questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall, respectively. Dietary diversity was calculated using the FAO guidelines.Results: Sixty eight percent (68%) of the vegetarians reported daily intakes of vegetable protein. Majority of the vegetarians (80.6%) reported daily intakes of cereals and grains while 54% reported daily intakes of tubers. Eighty two percent (82%) and 72% of the vegetarians consumed vegetables and fruits on daily basis respectively. A few ofthe vegetarians (29%) reported daily intakes of fruit juices. Soft drinks, deep fried foods and fast foods were occasionally consumed. About 40.3% of the vegetarians obtained a dietary diversity score of four (4). Majority of them (68.9%) had low dietary diversity.Conclusion: The vegetarians had low dietary diversity which may lead to inadequate nutrient intakes. Thus, there is the need for nutrition-related professionals to give appropriate information on a vegetarian diet and educate vegetarians to include a variety of foods in their diet.