Nutrition Journal (Apr 2011)

How diverse is the diet of adult South Africans?

  • Steyn Nelia,
  • Labadarios Demetre,
  • Nel Johanna

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-10-33
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
p. 33

Abstract

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Abstract Background 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. Methods 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 Results The provinces with the highest prevalence of poor dietary diversity (DDS Conclusion 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.

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