Pattern of Dietary Intake and Consumption of Street Foods among Nigerian Students

Abstract

An assessment of the food and nutrient intake of 81 male and 35 female University students was conducted using structured questionnaires and 24-hr. diet recall procedures. The contribution of Street Foods (SF) to their nutrients intakes was also assessed. The major dietary sources of nutrients for both groups were Cereals, Roots and Tubers and Legumes. Energy intake by males (9.81 MJ or 83.9% RDA) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than intake (8.59 MJ or 81.8% RDA) by female subjects. Street Foods contributed 50.3% and 48.3% of energy to male and female subjects respectively. Total Protein intake approximated RDA for both groups although on average only 25% of this was from animal sources. Intakes of minerals and vitamins were generally below RDA except for Calcium and vitamin A. Female subjects had significantly higher intakes of Iron, Thiamin and vitamin A than males. Overall Street food's contribution to RDA ranged from 23.0% (Iron in males) to 80.0% (vitamin A, also in males).