ENERGY INTAKE, EXPENDITURE AND BODY COMPOSITION OF ADULT FEMALE CASSAVA FARMERS IN EDO STATE

Abstract

One hundred and fifty three apparently healthy lactating and non-lactating women between the ages of 20-49 years, mean body weight (BW) (53.8 ± 10.1kg) and mean body height (159.0 ± 5.3 cm) were randomly selected for energy cost of activities. A sub –sample of thirty women were investigated for two consecutive days to access their energy intake(ET), Expenditure (EE) and body composition. Total body Fat (TBF) was obtained from four skinfold thickness measurements (SFTmm) using a generalised equation. Food intake (FI) of each subject was obtained by direct weighing method and energy value of the food calculated using food composition table. The energy cost of activity was determined by indirect calorimetric method. Daily energy expenditure was obtained for each subject by multiplying the total time spent on each activity by its energy cost. Finding indicated that lactating women expended more energy 9196 ± 7694 kj (2199 ± 113 kcal /d) than non lactating women 9021 ±54747 kj (2199 ± 113 kcal /d). However , the difference was not significant (p<0.05). Similarity, there was no significant differences between the mean energy intake obtained from two groups (p>0.05), although the mean energy intake obtained was lower in lactating 10589 ±3772kj (2531 ± 902 kcal/d) than non lactating women 11471 ±3667 kj(2743 ± 877 kcal/d). The mean energy cost obtained for cassava production for the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.01). The mean values obtained were 8.5 ± 1.8kj (2.04 ± 0.42 kcal/min) an 5.9 ± 2.5 kj (1.41 ± 0.6 kcal/min) for non-lactating and lactating women respectively. Time spent on various daily activities by non-lactating was lower 1042 min/d than lactating women 1110 min/d. However, time and energy expended in cassava processing were generally higher than domestic farming activities. The association between Bw and E1 was not significant in both groups. The values obtained were (r= 0.18, p>00.1)lactating and (r=-0.40, p<0.01) for non –lactating women. There was no significant relationship between EE and BW (r=0.26, P>00.1) for lactating. However, the relationship correlated significantly (r=0.70, p< 0.001) for non-LACTATING women. Women leisure activity daily expenditure and intake were remarkably high. Further research should involve whether the effect is seasonal or a usual situation in the population.