The National Food Consumption Survey (NFCS): South Africa, 1999

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the National Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) in South Africa was to determine the nutrient intakes and anthropometric status of children (1 -9 years old), as well as factors that influence their dietary intake. Design: This was a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of all children aged 1-9 years in South Africa. A nationally representative sample with provincial representation was selected using 1996 Census information. Subjects: Of the 3120 children who were originally sampled data were obtained from 2894, a response rate of 93%. Methods: The sociodemographic status of each household was assessed by a questionnaire. Dietary intake was assessed by means of a 24-hour recall and a foodfrequency questionnaire from the caregivers of the children. Food purchasing practices were determined by means of a food procurement questionnaire. Hunger was assessed by a modified hunger scale questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined by means of anthropometric measurements: height, weight, head circumference and arm circumference. Results: At the national level, stunting (height-for-age below minus two standard deviations (,22SD) from the reference median) was by far the most common nutritional disorder, affecting nearly one in five children. The children least affected (17%) were those living in urban areas. Even with regard to the latter, however, children living in informal urban areas were more severely affected (20%) compared with those living in formal urban areas (16%). A similar pattern emerged for the prevalence of underweight (weight-for-age ,22SD), with one in 10 children being affected at the national level. Furthermore, one in 10 (13%) and one in four (26%) children aged 1-3 years had an energy intake less than half and less than two-thirds of their daily energy needs, respectively. For South African children as a whole, the intakes of energy, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamins A, D, C and E, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B 6 and folic acid were below two-thirds of the Recommended Dietary Allowances. At the national level, data from the 24-hour recalls indicated that the most commonly consumed food items were maize, sugar, tea, whole milk and brown bread. For South African children overall, one in two households (52%) experienced hunger, one in four (23%) were at risk of hunger and only one in four households (25%) appeared food-secure. Conclusion: The NFCS indicated that a large majority of households were foodinsecure and that energy deficit and micronutrient deficiencies were common, resulting in a high prevalence of stunting. These results were used as motivation for the introduction of mandatory fortification in South Africa.

Micronutrient dilution associated with added sugar intake in elderly black South African women

“…This group is at high risk of having a poor micronutrient status due to inadequate household food security (Charlton & Rose, 2001), deficient dietary intakes (Johnson & van der Westhuizen, 1992;Bester et al, 1993;) and lack of financial provision for old age (Ferreira et al, 1992). Sugar is a cheap commodity, which is consumed in relatively large amounts in black children in the country (Labadarios et al, 2000). Since most elderly South Africans live in multigenerational households (Ferreira et al, 1992), their diet is likely to reflect the types of foods eaten by younger members of the family.…”

Is the school food environment conducive to healthy eating in poorly resourced South African schools?

“…The diet has little variety (6,7) and is deficient in many of the key micronutrients (5) . Vitamin A-rich vegetables and fruit are the most neglected foods (6) .…”

Consumer testing of the preliminary paediatric food-based dietary guidelines for healthy children aged 1–7 years, among English- and Afrikaans-speaking mothers in the city of Cape Town, South Africa

“…It has previously been documented that a child's nutritional status is directly related to the educational level of the caregiver, and malnutrition is often found hand-inhand with a lack of education and resources (8,14) . Research also shows that parents strongly influence their children's eating behaviours through creating the right atmosphere, choosing which foods are available, how they are eaten and how much is consumed (15)(16)(17)19) .…”

“…According to the NFCS, there is a direct correlation between educational level and nutritional status (8) . A low educational level is correlated with undernutrition, and a high level of education is related, in some cases, with child overnutrition.…”

“…A low educational level is correlated with undernutrition, and a high level of education is related, in some cases, with child overnutrition. (8) . The nutrition information of Group A mothers was sometimes misguided or incorrect and thus they may also benefit from using the PFBDG.…”