Evaluation of vegetable consumption in South Eastern Nigeria

Vegetable consumption in the South East of Nigeria was evaluated with the objective of identifying the effects of cost and availability of vegetables in the areas and adequacy of consumption. A market survey was done in 9 markets spread across the zones including Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States. Questionnaires were used to assess 24 h vegetable consumption. The quantity of vegetable consumed was estimated indirectly from the market cost. The results show that the highest vegetable diet consumed in area is mixed vegetable soup (170.6 g/meal), followed by mixed okra/”ugu” soup (154 g/meal). The results showed that cost and availability do not affect vegetable consumption, and that the quantity of vegetable consumed in the area is lower than 400 g/day as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). It was recommended that nurses and health educators who work with homemakers (mothers) should sensitize them on the need for increase in vegetable consumption.