Comparative Analysis of Dietary Intake Patterns of Rural and Urban Communities of Southern Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Luqman1*, Roshan Hussain1, Muhammad Yaseen1, Muhammad Umer Mehmood1, Ijaz Asghar2 and Usman Saleem1
ABSTRACT
This study draws the attention towards dietary intake patterns and their health impacts according to different communities in the southern Punjab, Pakistan. Southern Punjab has the most impoverished segments of society as compared to other parts of Punjab province. This transverse study was conducted in purposively selected three districts of Southern Punjab. Exactly sample size of 600 respondents (300 rural respondents and 300 urban respondents) was randomly selected through equal distribution technique and interviewed by using structured interview schedule. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and the following key results were obtained. Most of the respondents from the study were above the 30 years of age (mature), illiteracy was high in rural area and most of the respondents were dependent upon business and farming as their livelihood source. Among rural communities, food group of fats and sugars was much popular and urban community of study area was much inclined towards the food group of carbohydrates. Specifically, in breakfast both of the communities prefer proteins with fats and sugar commodities. In lunch rural community is much attracted towards carbohydrates and dairy products, while urban community prefers wheat bread with fruits and vegetables. Fruits, dry fruits and legumes are a best source of attaining maximum micro and macro nutrients. In comparison to this rural community of the study area perceived that vegetables and fruits are rich in macro and micro nutrients. Keeping in view the dietary pattern of rural as well as urban localities, best suitable timing must be kept in mind for specific food group to be included in the meal. Less nutritious food items must be used rarely as they contribute less to develop human health.
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