SEASONAL FOOD-CONSUMPTION PATTERNS AND DIETARY DIVERSITY OF RURAL PRESCHOOL GHANAIAN AND MALAWIAN CHILDREN

Food intakes of rural Malawian (29F, 36M; 62 +/- 10 mo) and Ghanaian ( 83F, 65M; 59 +/- 10 mo) children were estimated at two seasons using 3 -day weighed records. Food patterns, dietary diversity, based on the n umber, and frequency of foods consumed, and major sources of energy an d selected nutrients were examined. The total, and average number of f ood items consumed per day were lower in Malawi (62, 6.4 +/- 1.4 per d ay) than in Ghana (70 - 76, 7.5 +/- 1.3 - 8.0 +/- 1.2 per day). More M alawian than Ghanaian children (25 and 46% versus 12 and 27%, dependin g on season) consumed 6 food items or less per day. Major energy sourc es were cereals (51-69%) in Malawi, and cereals (24-41%), and roots (2 4-37%) in Ghana; animal products contributed 3-7% of the energy. Dieta ry diversity was associated with intakes of energy (per kg BW) (r = 0. 33-0.41; p < 0.02) in Malawi, the consumption of prestigious foods and snacks in both countries, and with purchased meals in Ghana. Hence, i ncreased consumption of nutrient dense purchased meals and snacks coul d increase the diversity and energy content of some rural African diet s.