Food consumption pattern for the population of the state of Kuwait based on food balance sheets

Abstract

The population of Kuwait enjoys advanced healthcare facilities and an abundance of food. The life expectancy is 73.8 years, which is comparable with that of developed countries. However, nutrition-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease have become serious health problems in Kuwait. Diabetes mellitus, asthma, and hereditary hemolytic anemia were reported to be the three leading causes of morbidity in governmental hospitals in 1993. A comprehensive overview of food import, export, and domestic production data for the period 1973- 1989 was conducted for 28 commodities, from which average per capita available food for consumption was calculated. Utilizing these data, a detailed analysis of the average energy, protein and nutrient supply was calculated. The data indicated that more than 75 percent of the energy supply comes from food groups of vegetable origin; animal products supplied 24 percent of the energy, whereas fats and oils contributed up to 15 percent of the energy supply. Comparing the recommended dietary allowances of the population with the nutrients available in the food supply, it was found that the food supply provided an excess of RDAs at a rate of 1.19 times of energy, 2.1 times of protein, 2.59 times of vitamin A, 1.37 times of thiamine, 1.39 times of riboflavin, 1.41 times of niacin, 2.52 times of vitamin C, 1.56 times of iron, and 1.10 times of calcium daily requirements. A detailed report on food available for consumption based on food balance sheet data is presented in this article, which gives contribution of various food groups to the dietary intake of the Kuwaiti population.