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

Objective or research question is to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics (SEC) and other factors influencing root and tuber crops (RTC) consumption in favour of wheat (imported carbohydrate substitute) in Delta State Nigeria Healthy dietary lifestyle can only be achieved by the ability to access and afford 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. RTC are the main source of carbohydrate foods in many regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the large quantity in RTC (cassava and yam) production in Nigeria, many consumers’ are neglecting the locally produced indigenous RTC in preference to wheat which is almost imported. The question is “What are the SEC of the households in relation to using (consuming) various products from RTC relative to wheat products?” Based on the household level data collected from the case study areas in Delta State of Nigeria, descriptive and multiple regression analyses were performed to achieve the research objectives. In particular, the regression models were estimated to determine the various factors affecting consumption of cassava, wheat and yam in urban as well as in rural communities. Descriptive statistical analyses of the SEC of both consumers and producers of RTC were useful to understand the important of nutritional and health befits of RTC. Demand analysis of RTC, relative to wheat, was also conducted to understand the consumer behaviour towards the consumption of RTC in relation to their nutritional and health benefits. It was identified that age, price of cassava, annual income and household size affect RTC consumption while annual income, household size and cassava price affects wheat consumption in the study area. Assessment of producers indicate that the 55 respondents comprised female producers (78%) while males were the rest (22%). Regression analysis indicates that age, educational status and farming experience are the significant factors affecting production and age, annual income, price of cassava and household size are the factors affecting the consumption of root and tuber crops in the study area. This study finds that an improved understanding of the relationship between knowledge and dietary intake is an important factor, as evidenced by previous studies, to address the low nutritional knowledge and poor management of chronic diseases. It is 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 (obesity, diabetics and cardiovascular diseases).