Street food in relation to consumers health status in selected locations of dhaka metropolitan city

Abstract

it was a descriptive type o f cross sectional study carried out on 491 street food consumers
from 40 street food-vending shops at Dhaka metropolitan city. In this study, the street food
consumer, who consuming street food regularly as a main meal at least for one month was
included. The study showed that the people o f low- e conomic status ( .s l.y'7 deficit) and
having minimum education (,s 6.4''y illiterate) mostly consuming street foods. Health status
analysis shows that 19.3'?y consumers had swollen red gum. 16..s'"/ dental carries. 1 1.4^7 have
angular stomatitis. 8.8'r bleeding gum and I'^f enlarged thyroid. In addition. 2(1.1^/ cases
suffered from diarrhoeal diseases and 1.19? hepatitis in last four weeks. Amon g diarrhoeal
diseases ll.O"; Amoebiasis. 6,7'/r Acute watery diarrhoea and 2.4'’? Uacillary desentery.
Street food consumers mean Body Mass Index (BMI ) was 19.7.S (SI) ± 1.72) and majority o f
the consumers (8()..S^X ) had BMI more than 18..5. Nutritional status (BMI) o f the consumers
shows significant change with duration o f consumption (p value <0.001) . e conomic status
(p - value < 0.002) and two groups o f consumers (one meal and two meal) (p - value <
().()() 1). In spile t)f high morbidity rale street foods maintain good nutritional status. To
maximiz e the benefits o f street food it is essential to create awareness among consumers and
vendors through health education programme. Study recommends training for street h)od
handlers, routine inspection, monitoring the food quality and salety by recognized authority.