Dietary Pattern among People of Rural Areas in Ardabil, 2000

Nutritional status of individuals and community are influenced by different factors. Investigating nutrition and food problems as well as determining dietary pattern play a crucial role in determining nutrition programs and policies, preventing food deficiency, improving nutrition level and preventing malnutrition diseases. The aim of this study was to determine calorie and nutrients intake, food habit and dietary pattern in rural areas of Ardabil. In this cross-sectional study 250 families from 15 rural areas of Ardabil were selected using simple random method. Nutrition status of all the individuals was studied using 24 hour recall and food frequency. Data were analyzed using SPSS and Food processor. This study showed that intake of some nutrients (Zinc, Selenium, Folic acid and Vitamin B2) in the subjects were significantly less than Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of WHO (P<0.001), but intake of protein, iron and calcium was more than the RDA of WHO (P<0.001). Calorie intake of 20% of rural people was less than 75% of RDA(mostly seen among men). The findings of food frequency showed that main foods of rural individuals in Ardabil were local bread (Lavash), potato, egg, milk, biscuit, yogurt, garlic, onion, vegetable fat, butter and tomato. This study showed unsuitable intake of some nutrients. In order to improve the nutritional status of these people, regular intake of different groups of foods should be instructed.