Urban and rural differences in dietary intake, weight status and nutritionknowledge of black female students

The objective of this study was to examine dietary intake, weight status an d nutrition knowledge of young black South African women in order to identi fy urban-rural differences. A group of 115 black female students attending a first-year pre-registration program at the University of the North partic ipated in the study. A quantified food frequency questionnaire was used to gather data on each student's diet prior to entering the university. Height , weight, waist and hip measurements were taken, and body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated for each participant. Each stu dent also completed a nutrition knowledge test (NKT). Mean dietary intakes were generally comparable to the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), with the exception of calcium, zinc and iron, which were lower. Urban women con sumed significantly more sugar (65.8 vs 52.2 g) and confectionery (290.4 vs 183.7 g), and significantly less legumes (6.3 vs 18.9 g), than did rural w omen. The prevalence of overweight (BM1 greater than or equal to 25) was hi gh in urban (22.7%) and rural (22.9%) women and WHR was significantly great er (P=0.0003) in rural women (0.76) compared with urban ones (0.73). Nutrit ion knowledge test scores were poor (mean = 40.7%) and no urban-rural diffe rences were found. There was a positive correlation between NKT and energy, protein, carbohydrate, fibre, calcium, zinc, thiamin, niacin, and folate i ntakes.