Ma. Bendech et al., ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY-INTAKE AT HOME AND OUTSIDE THE HOME IN BAMAKO (MALI), Ecology of food and nutrition, 37(2), 1998, pp. 135-162
A food consumption survey undertaken in Mall, including 74 households
and 367 inhabitants, showed that meals prepared at home secured the da
ily energy requirement in 79%, 66% and 54% of the families of fair, mi
ddle and low socio-economic status, respectively. Likewise, the ratio
of energy supplied as high quality protein and the intake of calcium a
nd vitamin A diminished with decreasing incomes. These inadequacies we
re partly compensated for by street food. More than 91% of the childre
n, regardless of social condition or gender, ate outdoor food, which p
rovided 8-17% of their daily energy, 5-27% of their protein and up to
100% of their vitamin A needs. The dietary contribution of street food
was most important for pre-school children of poor families whose mot
hers were involved in trading food on the roadsides. Adults resorted l
ess frequently to street food (57%, 75% and 90% for individuals with f
air, middle and low incomes, respectively). Outdoor consumption has to
be assessed in food consumption surveys and measures designed to impr
ove nutrition must take account of the importance of street food. Furt
hermore, provided a few recommendations are made to its vendors, stree
t food readily amenable to innovation and changes has the potential to
offset in part the inadequacies of home food, especially for schoolch
ildren.