Nutritional Requirement of Target Population Groups in the Developing Countries: A Case Study of Amala Served with Okro Soup and Jollof Beans

Abstract

Nutritional requirement of target population groups in the developing Countries was investigated. Two commonly affordable meals (Amala served with okro soup and Jollof beans) were analyzed and the percentage macronutrients obtained in them were converted to grams. The percentage wet weight composition (2.25, 0.67, 32.09 and 3.06, 3.28, 12.69) were found to be equivalent to 4.97, 1.39, 70.85 and 8.22, 8.81, 34.09 g of fat, crude protein and carbohydrate from Amala and Jollof beans meals respectively. The energy content (Kcal) from carbohydrate, the primary source of energy for Amala and Jollof beans meals was determined and found to be 283.42 and 136.34 respectively. These results were then compared with the Standard Recommended Allowance and the Standard Energy/Calorie Requirements for different age groups. The results obtained revealed that these meals did not meet the nutritional requirements of any of the different age groups. This may definitely have advert effects on these population groups.