ABSTRACT
This work examined the milk and milk products consumption behaviour, anthropometric and calcium status of adults (18 and above) in selected rural areas of Ikwuano Local Government Area. Milk and milk products offer nutritional quality to human being which has significant impact on the health status of an adult. Intake of milk and milk products provides essential nutrients such as protein, calcium and many others. Low dietary calcium intake has been proposed as being the primary cause of some nutritional deficiency in adults such as; hypocalcaemia, osteoporosis which occur when calcium level in blood is low thereby causing the bones to become brittle and fragile. A cross sectional survey was used to carry out this research. A total of four hundred (400) respondents were pooled and a self-administered questionnaire was provided. The questionnaire was divided into 5 sections. Section A captured demographic characteristics, Section B captured multiple questions about consumption behaviour of consumers of milk and milk product, Section C dealt with 24-hours recall of milk and milk products intake, Section D contained the question about the respondents attitude towards milk and milk products and Section E captured the anthropometric measurement of the respondents, Section F Captures the urine calcium measurement of the adults using calcium urinalysis (EDTA-Ethylene diamine tetra acetate method). Data obtained were described using frequency and percentage. Result for socio-demographic characteristics showed that 51.2% of the population are male while 48.8% are female mostly within the age of 18-35years with exact mean age of 31.60±8.99 years. Majority of the respondents had tertiary education (56.8%) and some secondary school (33.8%). It was observed that most of the respondents were low income earners, Igbo and are majorly Christians. Result of milk consumption behavior showed that 94.8% of the population consumes milk mostly filled cream powdered milk, about 21% that does not consume milk indicated that it was because milk and milk products are either expensive, not available or it discomforts them, and majority (39.2%) takes milk during breakfast. Furthermore, in the 24 hours recall of milk products consumption, most of the respondent consumed peak filled instant milk powder accounting to 26.6% of the population. Collected results shows a need to provide an adequate supply of calcium in a balanced daily diet of adults and also the need to create awareness of the role calcium plays in bone development through consumption of milk and milk products in Ikwuano LGA as their urine calcium are mostly as below RDA for even adults on calcium-free diet.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE i
CERTIFICATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
LIST OF TABLES viii
ABSTRACT ix
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Statement of problem 2
1.3 Objectives 4
1.3.1 General objectives 4
1.3.2 Specific objectives 4
1.4 Significance of study 4
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW 6
2.1 Concept of milk and milk products 6
2.2 Calcium 9
2.2.1 Recommended dietary allowance (RDAs) for calcium 10
2.2.2 Sources of calcium 11
2.2.3 Calcium intake and status 13
2.3 Consumption behaviour of adults on milk and milk products 15
2.4 Factors influencing milk purchase 16
2.5 Anthropometry indicators 17
2.5.1 Weight 17
2.5.2 Body mass index (BMI) 18
2.5.3 Length and height 19
2.5.4 Weight for height 19
2.5.5 MUAC 20
2.5.6 Biochemical assessment 20
2.6 Milk products 20
2.6.1 Yoghurt 20
2.6.2 Cream 20
2.6.3 Butter 21
2.6.4 Ghee 21
2.6.5 Cheese 21
2.6.6 Far rich dairy products 22
2.6.7 Concentrated and dried products 22
2.6.8 Healthy foods 23
CHAPTER 3
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Study design 24
3.2 Area of study 24
3.3 Population of the study 24
3.4 Sampling and sampling techniques 25
3.4.1 Sample size 25
3.4.2 Sampling techniques 25
3.5 Preliminary activities 27
3.5.1 Preliminary visits 27
3.5.2 Training research assistants 27
3.5.3 Ethnical approval 27
3.5.4 Informed consent 27
3.6 Data collection 28
3.6.1 Questionnaire design 28
3.6.2 Anthropometric measurement 28
3.6.3 Body mass index (BMI) 29
3.6.4 Biochemical measurement 30
3.6.5 Urine collection 30
3.6.6 Dietary measurement 32
3.7 Data analysis 32
3.8 Statistical analysis 33
CHAPTER 4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Socio demographic characteristics of respondents 34
4.2 Milk consumption of respondents 37
4.3 Respondents knowledge of milk and milk products 43
4.4 Attitude of respondents towards milk and milk products 45
4.5 Quantity of milk and frequency of milk consumption of respondents 47
4.7 24 hours recall of type of milk products consumption during meal 50
4.8 Anthropometry status of the respondents 53
4.9 Urinary calcium content of respondents 55
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusions 57
5.2 Recommendations 57
REFERENCES 58
APPENDIX I
APPENDIX II
APPENDIX III
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1 Socio economic and demographic data of respondents 36
Table 4.2a Milk consumption of respondents 39
Table 4.2b Milk consumption of respondents 42
Table 4.3 Respondents knowledge of milk and milk products 44
Table 4.4 Attitude of respondents towards milk and milk products 46
Table 4.5 Frequency of milk consumption of respondents 48
Table 4.6 Quantity of milk consumed 49
Table 4.7a Type of milk product consumed within 24-Hour Recall 51
Table 4.7b Quantity of milk product consumed within 24-Hour Recall 52
Table 4.8 Anthropometry status of the respondents 54
Table 4.9 Urinary Calcium measurement of respondents 56
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Milk is considered to be one of the most nutritionally complex and balanced foods containing a wide range of essential nutrients required for growth, development and overall health and wellbeing throughout one´s life cycle. The National Dairy Council, (NDC)(2008). Milk can be defined as a normal secretion of white liquid fluid produced in the mammary glands of every female mammal (NDC, 2008). Milk products are a type of food produced from or containing the milk of mammals. They are primarily produced from mammals such as cattle, water buffaloes, goats, sheep, camels and humans. Milk and dairy products include but are not limited to food items such as yogurt, cheese and butter, fermented milk, yogurt, cream, butter, casein, custard and ice cream. (Ranieri and Boor, 2009).
The importance of milk and milk product consumption to human health cannot be overemphasized. Milk and milk products offer nutritional quality to human being which has significant impact on the health status of an adult (Melesse et al., 2009). Apart from milk and milk products being of considerable biological value in terms of protein, they also consist other indispensable nutrients (Oni et al., 2012). Intake of milk and milk products provide essential nutrients such as protein, calcium for adult, magnesium, folate, B1 B2 B6 B12 and vitamins A D, and E (Murphy et al., 1994; Black et al., 2002; Lonnerdal, 2003). These nutrients help to make milks nature most nearly excellent food (Vabi et al., 1995). Milk consumption exhibits spato-temporal variation owing to differences in the socio-economic aspects, tastes and food habits of people across agro-climatic regions and variation in milk availability in an area. Health benefits, value and manufacturing, convenience and suitable packaging are some of the driving forces which may entice population to consume milk and milk products (Krishnadas et al., 2016).
Furthermore, milk and milk products are the major food source of calcium required for healthy bones and in most developing countries, including Nigeria. One litre of milk can provide approximately 1200 mg of calcium, representing more than the daily requirement for calcium. Calcium in milk is in a bioavailable form and is readily absorbed. The absorption of calcium is enhanced by vitamin A and lactose. Adequate intake of calcium is necessary for growth in childhood, and for the prevention of diseases like osteoporosis in adulthood. Research evidence points to an association between decreased calcium intake and osteoporosis (Dairy Council, 2014)
Calcium from milk is also needed in the diet to control hypertension. A number of studies have reported an inverse association between dietary calcium intake and blood pressure. (Senadisai et al., 2014).
Furthermore, consumption behaviour forms one of the most important parts of human behaviour (Kita et al., 2002). The use of milk is important in maintaining a calcium intake required for healthy bones. Ant restriction of bone mass during adolescence may increase the risks of osteoporosis later in life. (Guthrie and Picciano 1995).
1.1 Statement of the problem
Milk is considered to be one of the most nutritionally complex and balanced foods containing a wide range of essential nutrients required for growth, development, overall health and wellbeing throughout one´s life cycle ( NDC 2008). However, low dietary calcium intake has been proposed as being the primary cause of some nutritional deficiency in Adult such as; Hypocalcemia, commonly known as calcium deficiency disorder which occurs when calcium levels in the blood are low, dental changes as a result of long term calcium deficiency, rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults which causes bone to become brittle and fragile (Suzanne et al., 2018). Adequate calcium intake is important for bone mineralization in adult (Warren et al., 2002). It has also been reported that a persisted higher calcium intake in adult may help to promote higher bone mass in adulthood and protect against osteoporosis later in life. In addition, according to global estimate published in 2015, 3.5 billion people are at risk for calcium deficiency, calcium deficiency is a global problem, especially in the ageing population. Also, poor intake of calcium can give rise to a number of diseases common in old age such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis.
Also, many producers of milk products have failed to carry out a detailed marketing research before embarking on the producing of milk and milk products to ascertain the consumption behaviour of milk product customers. Also, knowing the consumers attitude and behaviour toward milk and milk product has been a serious issue to the producers of milk. (Global Estimate Publish, 2015).
In Nigeria, low dietary calcium intake has been found to be the primary cause of calcium deficiencies (Thacher et al., 1999). It has also been reported that a constant high intake of calcium in childhood and adolescence may help promote higher bone mass in adulthood and protect against the development of osteoporosis in later life. (Warren et al., 2002).
This therefore prompted the need to assess the calcium status of adults in selected rural areas in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State through their consumption behaviour towards milk and milk products.
1.2 Objectives of the Study
General Objective of the Study
The general objective of this study is to examine milk and milk product consumption behaviour, anthropometric and calcium status of adults in rural location in Abia State.
Specific Objectives of the Study
The specific objectives of this study are to;
i. To examine the socio-demographic characteristic of the adults using a structured questionnaire
ii. To determine the consumption behaviour of adults on the milk and milk products
iii. To evaluate the knowledge and attitude of the adults toward milk and milk products using a questionnaire
iv. To assess the anthropometric status of the adults using their body mass index (BMI).
v. To determine the calcium status of the adults using calcium urinalysis (EDTA-Ethylene diamine tetra acetate method)
1.3 Significance of the study
The study will focus on milk and milk product consumption behaviour, anthropometric and calcium status of adults in the selected locations in Abia State. The study will be of immense importance to the general public, dietetians and nutritionists, doctor’s etc. as it would give data information of calcium status and consumption behaviour of adults towards milk and milk products in the study area.
The findings and recommendations of the study will assist consumers of milk and milk product on knowing the importance of the product.
The findings and recommendations of the study will assist Government in implementing policies that will help consumers of milk and milk product in getting the product at cheaper price, this can be accomplished when consumers have knowledge of the milk and milk products they buy through advertisements, seminars/workshops, schools e.t.c.
In addition, the findings will also be important for the Human Nutrition and Dietetics department of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and other learning institutions in designing and initiating nutrition awareness programs to enlighten other students on milk and milk product consumption behaviour, anthropometric and calcium status.
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