Awareness and Practice of Consumption of Mixed Diet among Rural Farm Households in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This study focused on and practice of consumption of mixed diet among rural farm households in Afikpo North Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Specifically, it determined; awareness of mixed diet among the households; expressed level of consumption of mixed diet among the households; and constraints to consumption of mixed diet among the households. Survey research design was adopted. A total of 220 registered homemakers made up the population for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyzed data. Results show, among others, that the rural households
are aware of only three indicators of awareness of mixed diets (X̅ ≥ 2.50), most of which are starchy staples. Further results include high expressed consumption of the starchy staples (X̅ = 2.89), and dietary fibre (X̅ = 93); while protein diets obtained lower expressed consumption score (X̅ =1.18). Other findings are, eight constraints to consumption of mixed diets among rural farm households in the area. Based on the findings, six recommendations were made for enhancing consumption of mixed by the rural farm households.