DIETARY-INTAKE MEASUREMENT IN RURAL ZAIRE - MACRONUTRIENTS

A modified dietary survey method by weighing was employed to evaluate nutrient intakes in a poor rural community of Western Zaire. Energy in takes of children (4 - 11 years), equivalent to 1.1 times basal metabo lic rate (BMR) were inadequate for normal growth and activity. Intakes of adolescents (11 - 18y) were marginal (1.5 BMR). Adult women and me n had energy intakes corresponding to 2.0 and 1.5 BMR respectively. Th ese amounts were compatible with the intensive physical activity of wo men and lighter activity of men on one hand, and with their small body size on the other. Mean daily protein intakes, after correction for d igestibility and amino acid score according to FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) reco mmendations, were 0.63, 0.60 and 0.47 g/kg for children, adolescents a nd adults, respectively and corresponded to only 50 to 70% of recommen ded levels, and were thus in accordance with the commonly observed cli nical and biochemical signs of protein depletion. Protein and fat acco unted for only 4.5% and 9%, respectively, of energy intake. This situa tion is the result of the high consumption of cassava combined with th e poor availability of foods rich in protein and fat. Dietary protein inadequacy, unlikely when energy requirements are met in populations w ith cereal food staples, can be a major problem in root tuber consumin g populations.