Food Consumption Practice and Nutrient Intake of Ethnic People of Chittagong Hill Tracts

Abstract

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) is the home of estimated 1.4 million ethnic people, making up 1.1 percent (CHTBD). Thirteen ethnic communities comprising Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tangchangya, Bawm, Murong, Khumi, Chhak, Pankhoa, Kuki, khyang, lushai and Sautal live in three disctrics of CHTs. Ethnic people have distinct colorful culture and lifestyle. They are healthy and hardworking, and have less morbidity and higher life expectancy. The food consumption practice of ethnic people is far diverse. They eat almost all of the plant animal foods, particularly, those eaten by monkey and birds. This help them in selection of edible and poisonous foods. In addition to exclusively consuming the ethnic foods, they also eat the general foods those are consuming the plain land people. The present study has attempted to investigate the food consumption practice and nutrient intake of ethnic people living CHTs districts. In addition, attempt has also been taken to evaluate the socioeconomic condition, hygienic and sanitation, cooking practice, as well as morbidity of this ethnic population. Diverse method namely quantitative and qualitative in natures were employed. Food consumption data were obtainedfrom Comprehensive Food Consumption Survey (CFCS) and by conducting Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) among the ethnic communities living in Rangamati, Khagrachori and Bandarban. Nutrient intake was assessed using 24h dietary recall method, which provided the type and quantity of different foods consumed. Then the foods consumed by the ethnic households were converted to type and quantity of nutrient taken with use of FCTs. Per capita per day different nutrient intake was computed using consumption equivalent. SPSS (version 21) was applied for data analysis. CFCS and FGDs revealed that a total of 194 foods comprising 146 general and 48 exclusive ethnic foods were found to consume by the ethnic households. Energy intake per capita per day was 2542 Kcal in male and 2593 Kcal in female. It was highest in Bandarban male (2606 kcal) and Kharachori female (2616 kcal). Energy intake was found to be high in under five yearaged

female as compared to the same aged male, while it was less in female of 5-9+ yearaged

female. At or above 10 years aged, energy intake was found to be somewhat same. Protein intake was higher in female (87 g.) than the male (84 g.). Similarly pattern of higher fat consumption in female was present. Higher intake of micronutrients such as Ca, Zn, Fe and vitamin C was also noted amongst the ethnic female as compared to the male (768 mg vs 746 mg; 7.57 mg vs 7.43 mg; 19.42 mg vs 17.55 mg and 100 mg vs 99 mg respectively). In case of RDA fulfillment, it was found that the consumption of ≥ RDA of energy by the ethnic people including infant and elderly were 26 to 64%, about 60.0% of ethnic infant fulfilled their RDA of protein followed by only 13.3% of infant met RDA of Iron. Only 10% and 46.7% elderly female fulfilled their RDA of calcium and Iron respectively.