Report on South African food
consumption studies undertaken
amongst different population groups
(1983-2000):
Average intakes of foods most
commonly consumed

Johanna Helena Nel (DSc)
(BB and A Hons)(Pr.Sci.Nat.)

and

Nelia Patricia Steyn (PhD)(RD SA)

The authors acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Mrs Annette Casey
(Department of Health, Directorate: Food Control) and
Dr Carl Lombard (Biostatistics, Medical Research Council)
Funded by the World Health Organization

Department of Health Republic of South Africa	Medical Research Council	World Health Organisation

© COPYRIGHT: Directorate: Food Control, Department of Health

All comments and queries emanating from this report should be directed to:

The Department of Health
Directorate: Food Control
Private Bag X828
PRETORIA, 0001
South Africa
Tel: 27 12 312 0155
Fax: 27 12 326 4374
e-mail: caseya@health.gov.za

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Executive summary (HTML)

Part 1 (pdf format, 246 kb)

2. Introduction
3. Objectives of the study
4. Methodology

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Dietary survey databases utilised in the development of the food tables

4.2.1 National Food Consumption Survey
4.2.2 The Lebowa Study
4.2.3 The Dikgale Study
4.2.4 The Black Risk Factor Study
4.2.5 The Transition, Health and Urbanisation Study
4.2.6 The Transition, Health and Urbanisation Bana Study
4.2.7 First Year Female Students Project
4.2.8 Weight and Risk Factor Study
4.2.9 Coronary Risk Factor Study
4.2.10 Food Balance Sheets for South Africa - 1989/99
4.2.11 A liquid consumption survey of individuals in Greater Cape Town
4.2.12 Summary

4.3 Structuring of the existing databases
4.4 Preparation of databases for the generation of tables comprising commonly consumed food items

4.4.1 Introduction
4.4.2 Selection of age groups
4.4.3 Comparison of data collected by different Dietary methods
4.4.4 Differentiation between areas of residence
4.4.5 Selection of output in final tables

4.5 Calculation of data for adults using 24-hour recalls

4.5.1 Introduction
4.5.2 Correlations, factor analyses and equations
4.5.3 Methods used to calculate adult data in the provinces
4.5.4 Final equations used to estimate adult intake for Africans

4.6 Calculation of data for adults using the food frequency method
4.7 Comparison of food subgroups with food balance sheets for South Africa
4.8 Inclusion of water
4.9 Body weight of South Africans

Part 2 (pdf format, 369 kb)

5. Results and discussion

5.1 Food items consumed by South African children and adults
5.2 Food items consumed by rural children and adults in South Africa
5.3 Food items consumed by urban children and adults in South Africa
5.4 Food items consumed by children and adults in the Lebowa Study
5.5 Food items consumed by adults in the Dikgale Study
5.6 Food items consumed by children and adults in the Black Risk Factor Study
5.7 Food items consumed by adults in the Transition, Health and Urbanisation in South Africa Study
5.8 Food items consumed by the 10+ year-old group in the Transition, Health and Urbanisation in South Africa Bana Study

Part 3 (pdf format, 374 kb)

5.9 Food items consumed by adults in the First Year Female Students Project
5.10 Food items consumed by adults in the Weight and Risk Factor Study
5.11 Food items consumed by adults in the Coronary Risk Factor Study
5.12 Food items consumed by children and adults in South Africa compared with the food balance sheets
5.13 Mean weights of South African children and adults

6. Recommendations (HTML)
7. References

Table 44: Summary of food items commonly consumed by children and adults in South Africa (HTML)