Relationship of household diversity dietary score with, caloric, nutriment adequacy levels and socio-demographic factors, a case of urban poor household members of charity, Constantine, Algeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess dietary diversity of Algerian urban poor household with household dietary diversity (HDDS) and to study its relationship with nutrient adequacy level and socio-demographic factors. A survey was followed by three 24 h dietary recalls during one year, with household’s members of charity in Constantine. Qualitative method has been realised using household dietary diversity score and quantitative method was done by calculating ratio of caloric and nutritional intakes to household needs. The study showed that the mean HDDS was 6.8±0.7 food groups. Animal proteins percentage, caloric adequacy level and adequacy levels of fourteen vitamins and minerals had positive correlation with HDDS. Household with less than six persons and those with children less than five years had a higher HDDS (p<0.035 and p<0.0001, respectively).   Key words: Household dietary diversity (HDDS), poor, caloric, nutriment, adequacy level, constantine, Algeria.