Contribution of street food to dietary intake of habitual urban consumers: A cross-sectional study in Kampala city, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Street food has continued to be a popular food source in the urban settings of developing countries and is proving to be a vital urban dietary source. However, its dietary contribution among urban populations is yet to be comprehensively understood. Aim: To assess how street food contributes to the dietary intake of habitual street food consumers. Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among habitual street food consumers in Kampala city. We defined habitual intake as consumption of a serving of any street food for ≥2 days/week regardless of the food group and number of times it was consumed in a particular day. Questionnaires were used to capture quantitative data on sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometry, 24-hour diet intake and 2-month street food consumption frequency. The Nutritics® diet analysis software version 4.3 and STATA version 13.0 were used for nutrient and statistical analyses respectively. Results: Street food contributed considerably to the daily intake of fat (49.1%), sodium (38.4%) and calcium (36.5%) and least towards the daily intake of vitamin A (11.3%). The majority of consumers opted for street food at breakfast (50%) whereas lunch and snacks featured the least for overall street food inclusion (all 20%). Overall, men demonstrated more dietary intake and inclusion at meals from street food than women. Conclusions: This study indicates a significant contribution of street food for urban consumers but men derive more benefit than women in terms of nutrient intake and inclusion of street food in meals.

Eating away from home is associated with overweight and obesity among Ugandan adults: the 2014 Uganda non-communicable disease risk factor survey

“…The dietary and nutrient compositions of meals eaten away from home could explain the positive associations between EAFH and overweight and obesity. EAFH is associated with the consumption of foods that are high in energy, fat, sugar, and salt, but low in fruits, vegetables, and micronutrients [ 5 8 26 ]. Orfanous and colleagues reported that EAFH was associated with excessive energy intake and lower physical activity, which are both risk factors of weight gain [ 13 ].…”

“…Culturally, this can be explained by the fact that women are responsible for food preparation in Uganda. Previous studies have reported that in urban areas of Uganda, more men eat at street food establishments than women [ 8 ], which suggests that men are more susceptible than women to the dietary deficiencies and/or excesses of away-from-home foods. In one recent Ugandan study, men consumed more energy and fat from street foods than women [ 8 ], which concurs with the findings of a Kenyan study [ 29 ].…”

“…Previous studies have reported that in urban areas of Uganda, more men eat at street food establishments than women [ 8 ], which suggests that men are more susceptible than women to the dietary deficiencies and/or excesses of away-from-home foods. In one recent Ugandan study, men consumed more energy and fat from street foods than women [ 8 ], which concurs with the findings of a Kenyan study [ 29 ]. Although street foods and kiosks are the most popular sources of away-from-home foods, further research is needed to determine the differential and independent contributions of various types of away-from-home meals to overall dietary and nutrient intake among Ugandan men.…”

“…Socio-demographic factors also influence consumers’ choices of the type of away-from-home food establishments. For example, street foods are considered an important source of diet by the urban and rural poor in Uganda, as is the case in other developing countries [ 8 28 ]. In Kenya, street foods are frequently consumed in low-income slum areas and by individuals without a regular income because of their convenience and affordability [ 35 ].…”

“…In this paper, we examined EAFH regardless of the type of establishment. The contribution of EAFH to dietary intake in Uganda has not been extensively studied, but reports indicate that street foods contribute 49.1% to daily fat intake, 38.4% to daily sodium intake, and little to vitamin A intake in urban areas [ 8 ]. These results indicate that street foods comprise excess fat and salt, but little fruits and vegetables, and may predispose individuals to the development of NCDs.…”