Dietary intake and micronutrient adequacy among adults engaged in agriculture in rural Sri Lanka: findings from a cross-sectional baseline survey

Abstract Objective: To characterise food group consumption, assess the contribution of food groups to energy and micronutrient intake, and estimate usual nutrient intake among adults in rural Sri Lanka. Design: A baseline survey (December 2020–February 2021) was conducted as part of an agricultu...

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Main Authors: Caroline A Joyce, Bess L Caswell, Aulo Gelli, Sonja Y Hess, Hasara Sitisekara, Christine P Stewart, Xiuping Tan, Renuka Jayatissa, Kalana Peiris, Renuka Silva, Deanna K Olney
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:Public Health Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1368980025000072/type/journal_article
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author Caroline A Joyce
Bess L Caswell
Aulo Gelli
Sonja Y Hess
Hasara Sitisekara
Christine P Stewart
Xiuping Tan
Renuka Jayatissa
Kalana Peiris
Renuka Silva
Deanna K Olney
author_facet Caroline A Joyce
Bess L Caswell
Aulo Gelli
Sonja Y Hess
Hasara Sitisekara
Christine P Stewart
Xiuping Tan
Renuka Jayatissa
Kalana Peiris
Renuka Silva
Deanna K Olney
author_sort Caroline A Joyce
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective: To characterise food group consumption, assess the contribution of food groups to energy and micronutrient intake, and estimate usual nutrient intake among adults in rural Sri Lanka. Design: A baseline survey (December 2020–February 2021) was conducted as part of an agriculture-based, nutrition-sensitive resilience program evaluation. Dietary intake was assessed using telephone-based 24-h recalls (n 1283), with repeat recalls from 769 participants. Mean daily intake of food groups and their contribution to energy and nutrient intakes were calculated. The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate usual intakes and the prevalence of adequate micronutrient intake (PAI). Differences by sex, district, and wealth were assessed using t tests and ANOVA. Setting: Forty-five rural villages throughout Sri Lanka. Participants: Men and women from households in the program evaluation study area. Results: On average, grains and coconut milk provided 56 % and 12 % of energy, respectively. Rice, fish, dairy, and pulses were the primary sources of micronutrients. Participants consumed 118 ± 117 g of vegetables and 71 ± 243 g of fruit per day. PAI was < 25 % for calcium, zinc, niacin, folate, and vitamins B6, B12, and C, reflecting low consumption of animal-source foods (80 g/day), whole grains, fruit, and vegetables (F&V). Significant differences in food group consumption by socio-demographic subgroup were observed among districts and wealth quintiles. Conclusions: We observed high consumption of rice and coconut milk and low prevalence of micronutrient adequacy. We recommend increasing animal-source food, whole grain, and F&V consumption to close nutrient gaps, as well as research to identify effective solutions to increase micronutrient intake.
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spelling doaj-art-3e2e2e8162d04425a1bb215d4f89b6a62025-08-20T02:57:51ZengCambridge University PressPublic Health Nutrition1368-98001475-27272025-01-012810.1017/S1368980025000072Dietary intake and micronutrient adequacy among adults engaged in agriculture in rural Sri Lanka: findings from a cross-sectional baseline surveyCaroline A Joyce0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0951-2323Bess L Caswell1Aulo Gelli2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4977-2549Sonja Y Hess3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4661-277XHasara Sitisekara4Christine P Stewart5https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4575-8571Xiuping Tan6Renuka Jayatissa7Kalana Peiris8Renuka Silva9Deanna K Olney10University of California Davis, Department of Nutrition, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616-5270, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, John E. Thurman, Jr. Laboratory, 620 W Health Science Dr, Davis, CA 95616, USAInternational Food Policy Research Institute, 1201 I St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USAUniversity of California Davis, Department of Nutrition, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616-5270, USAWayamba University of Sri Lanka, Department of Applied Nutrition, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila, North Western Province, LK 60170, Sri LankaUniversity of California Davis, Department of Nutrition, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616-5270, USAUniversity of California Davis, Department of Nutrition, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616-5270, USAMedical Research Institute Sri Lanka, Dr. Danister De Silva Mawatha (Baseline road), Colombo 08, Sri LankaWorld Food Programme, No: 2 Jawatte Ave, Colombo 00500, Sri LankaWayamba University of Sri Lanka, Department of Applied Nutrition, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila, North Western Province, LK 60170, Sri LankaInternational Food Policy Research Institute, 1201 I St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA Abstract Objective: To characterise food group consumption, assess the contribution of food groups to energy and micronutrient intake, and estimate usual nutrient intake among adults in rural Sri Lanka. Design: A baseline survey (December 2020–February 2021) was conducted as part of an agriculture-based, nutrition-sensitive resilience program evaluation. Dietary intake was assessed using telephone-based 24-h recalls (n 1283), with repeat recalls from 769 participants. Mean daily intake of food groups and their contribution to energy and nutrient intakes were calculated. The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate usual intakes and the prevalence of adequate micronutrient intake (PAI). Differences by sex, district, and wealth were assessed using t tests and ANOVA. Setting: Forty-five rural villages throughout Sri Lanka. Participants: Men and women from households in the program evaluation study area. Results: On average, grains and coconut milk provided 56 % and 12 % of energy, respectively. Rice, fish, dairy, and pulses were the primary sources of micronutrients. Participants consumed 118 ± 117 g of vegetables and 71 ± 243 g of fruit per day. PAI was < 25 % for calcium, zinc, niacin, folate, and vitamins B6, B12, and C, reflecting low consumption of animal-source foods (80 g/day), whole grains, fruit, and vegetables (F&V). Significant differences in food group consumption by socio-demographic subgroup were observed among districts and wealth quintiles. Conclusions: We observed high consumption of rice and coconut milk and low prevalence of micronutrient adequacy. We recommend increasing animal-source food, whole grain, and F&V consumption to close nutrient gaps, as well as research to identify effective solutions to increase micronutrient intake. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1368980025000072/type/journal_articleDiet assessmentPrevalence of adequacyMicronutrient intakeFruit and vegetables
spellingShingle Caroline A Joyce
Bess L Caswell
Aulo Gelli
Sonja Y Hess
Hasara Sitisekara
Christine P Stewart
Xiuping Tan
Renuka Jayatissa
Kalana Peiris
Renuka Silva
Deanna K Olney
Dietary intake and micronutrient adequacy among adults engaged in agriculture in rural Sri Lanka: findings from a cross-sectional baseline survey
Public Health Nutrition
Diet assessment
Prevalence of adequacy
Micronutrient intake
Fruit and vegetables
title Dietary intake and micronutrient adequacy among adults engaged in agriculture in rural Sri Lanka: findings from a cross-sectional baseline survey
title_full Dietary intake and micronutrient adequacy among adults engaged in agriculture in rural Sri Lanka: findings from a cross-sectional baseline survey
title_fullStr Dietary intake and micronutrient adequacy among adults engaged in agriculture in rural Sri Lanka: findings from a cross-sectional baseline survey
title_full_unstemmed Dietary intake and micronutrient adequacy among adults engaged in agriculture in rural Sri Lanka: findings from a cross-sectional baseline survey
title_short Dietary intake and micronutrient adequacy among adults engaged in agriculture in rural Sri Lanka: findings from a cross-sectional baseline survey
title_sort dietary intake and micronutrient adequacy among adults engaged in agriculture in rural sri lanka findings from a cross sectional baseline survey
topic Diet assessment
Prevalence of adequacy
Micronutrient intake
Fruit and vegetables
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1368980025000072/type/journal_article
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