Food Consumption Patterns of Adult Population in Rural and Urban Areas of Faizabad District of Uttar Pradesh, India

Background Poor dietary habit is widely recognized as an important risk factor in development of non- communicable disease (NCDs). This study was to provide a data on food consumption pattern existing among the adult population of Faizabad district, which has either negative or positive implication for nutritional deficiencies and NCDs. MethodsThis study was a cross sectional descriptive survey carried out in rural and urban area of Faizabad District. Total 400 respondents aged above 18 years were selected by simple random sampling. Two eligible participants of both sexes in each of the selected household were interviewed with a modified version of WHO stepwise questionnaires to obtain information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics as well as food consumption patterns. ResultsThe mean age of the respondents were 35 years. Majority of urban populations (28.5 %) were businessman, while the participants from rural areas were predominantly farmers (47.5).78.5 % and 60 % of both rural and urban respondents were belonging to vegetarian category respectively. Cereals consumption in rural and urban areas was quite similer in a month, it included mainly wheat and rice only, While the consumption of coarse grains was very low (2-3 days in a month). Consumption of pulses included red gram and green gram dhal had taking by rural population by 15-20 days in a month, while in urban population it was 10-15 days in a month. Only seasonal and low cost fruits were consumed by rural population while all type of fruits was consumed by urban population, but it was below 5 serving in a day. Consumption of leafy vegetables was 5-10 days in a month for both urban and rural population. The study revealed that low cost, easily available and staple foods was frequently consumed by rural population. Mustard oil was the commonest type of oil used in cooking food in rural area, while refined oil and soybean oil was frequently consumed by urban population. On other hand consumption of foods considered as less healthy such as fast foods/pastries, sweets, chocolates, soft-drinks were frequently consumed by urban population. ConclusionsClearly focused nutrition education efforts should aimed to strengthening the positive trends and combating the negative ones can go a long way in improving the dietary intake, lifestyles and nutritional status of the population.