Nutritional and health values of indigenous root and tuber crops compared to imported carbohydrate (such as wheat): A case study example from Delta state Nigeria

A healthy and productive household can only be achieved by their ability to acquire adequate quality food. Availability of food in sufficient quantity and quality is regarded as the starting point of economic development, social interaction, political stability and security of any nation. Majority of human food sources has been provided by three main crop groups; cereals, legumes and root and tuber crops. Root and tuber crops (RTC) are the main source of carbohydrate in many regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where their total calorie consumption could reach up to 50%. Nigeria is the highest producers of the major RTC such as cassava and yams globally, in 2017 Nigeria produced over 59 million metric tons of cassava and 47 million metric tons of yams respectively. Despite the large quantity in RTC production in Nigeria, many consumers’ are neglecting its consumption in preference to wheat. Understanding the factors influencing the consumption of RTC in favour of wheat is essential for establishing effective ways to improve nutritional habits of the people in the locality and the entire nation at large. This study analyzed the socioeconomic characteristics influencing RTC consumption in favour of wheat (imported) carbohydrate substitute in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in Delta State Nigeria. It was identified that age, price of cassava, annual income and household size affect RTC consumption while annual income, household size and cassava price affect wheat consumption in the study area. Conclusion was made that a greater understanding of the relationship between knowledge and dietary intake is important as many evidence support the link between low nutritional knowledge and poor management of chronic diseases. It was recommended that nutritional knowledge programs should be designed and implemented in order to support sound dietary intake within the study area and the entire country at large to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases.