NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

Evaluation of Dietary Quality and Adequacy of Botswana Dishes for Utilization in the Community Home Base Care Program - A pilot Study in the Southern District.

A study was conducted in the Southern District and the main objective of this study was to identify major traditional dishes and patterns in food combinations consumed at community/household level in . In addition, the extent to which these dietary patterns were compatible with nutritional adequacy and diversity to meet the requirements of the target population was also determined. A questionnaire was administered to establish the food security situation in the households and the main meal (lunch) was collected for chemical composition and nutritional quality analysis.

The findings indicated that 41% of the households visited live below the poverty datum line and 24% earn only marginal incomes, therefore, 65% of the population is at risk for food insecurity. In addition, the study findings considered indicate significant inadequacy in dietary protein and a major deficit in dietary energy on the basis of reference Estimated Average Requirements and Estimated Energy Requirement values respectively. Further, the study indicates significant inadequacy prevalence in dietary fat at 40% on the basis of . Moderate levels of inadequacy prevalence for protein carbohydrate at 10% and 25% respectively are indicated. This suggests that communities need to change their diets to reflect more adequate nutrition. Meals with adequate nutritional balance and diversity have been suggested. Further, education on appropriate dietary guidelines will be required to support this.