Dietary pattern and nutritional status of Bangladeshi manual workers (rickshaw pullers)

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the dietary pattern and nutritional status of manual workers in Bangladesh. The study included 252 rickshaw pullers, aged 20–60 years, of Dhaka city. Daily dietary nutrient intakes and consumption of foods by food group were estimated using 24-h dietary recall method. A seven-day food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was employed to assess the usual dietary pattern. Anthropometric data were collected at the time of interview. By cut-off point for body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m², about 52% of the rickshaw pullers were found to be undernourished. Relatively more (50%) participants of the age group 50–60 years were found to suffer from chronic energy deficiency (CED) grade-I compared to that of the age groups 20–29 (36.5%), 30–39 (34.4%) and 40–49 (35.7%) years. About 6% of the age groups 20–29 and 30–39 years were found to suffer from CED grade-III; while none of the age groups 40–49 and 50–60 years did so. The usual pattern of food intake revealed that a large proportion of the participants do not take eggs (46%), milk (77%) and meat (46%). On the other hand, a good percentage of the rickshaw pullers take fish (68%), green leafy vegetables (55%) and fruits (85%) at least four times a week. Mean intakes of protein, calcium, thiamin, niacin, vitamins C and A were above the recommended dietary allowances (RDA). Nearly 49% of the participants had energy intake below the requirement. Mean energy intake of this group met 80% and lowest intake met only 39% of the requirement. Intakes of other nutrients by the participants consuming less than the RDA met varying degrees of requirements. Food consumption data revealed that cereals are the major sources of energy, protein, carbohydrate and a number of micronutrients in the diets of the rickshaw pullers. The data indicate that the diet of the rickshaw pullers is grossly deficient in energy and many micronutrients.