Comparative study of the food habits of populations in southern Benin

Abstract

An unbalanced or inappropriate diet promotes the onset of the metabolic syndrome, one of the risk factors in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to analyze the food habits of four ethnic groups in southern Benin to assess their impact on the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome. This was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study that took place over 4 months and identified volunteers aged 18 years or more in four ethnic groups of southern Benin. An interview using a questionnaire collected anthropometric, socio-demographic, behavioral and physical activity data. Informed consent was obtained from each participant in the study. The study population consisted of 497 participants recruited from both departments. The Goun, Tori, Nago and Yoruba ethnic groups were concerned. The average age of participants was 38.85 ± 14.4 years. The sex ratio was 1.67. The preferred foods at breakfast were: porridge (26.76%), attassi (18.91%), pasta (18.51%) and akassa (11.67%) with a female predominance in consumption. Food consumed at lunch was akassa (37.17%), pasta (34.54%), rice (10.9%) and gari (8.08%). Those of the dinner were pasta (62.57%) and akassa (32.19%). The four ethnic groups, have almost the same food habits composed largely of oil and starchy foods.