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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 19, No. 2, 2019, pp. 14261-14276
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Bioline Code: nd19027
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2019, pp. 14261-14276
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PERCEPTIONS OF HOUSEHOLD MEASURING UTENSILS AMONGST MMOPANE COMMUNITY IN BOTSWANA
Nnyepi, MS; Mthombeni, FM; Thekiso, DP & Dintwa, PB
Abstract
In assessing adults’ dietary intakes, nutritionists and dietitians often rely on clients’
reported food consumption, estimated in units of households measuring utensils (cups,
tablespoons and teaspoons). However, it is yet to be established whether the public can
accurately estimate the capacity of household utensils and the amount of food consumed
in units of household measuring utensils. The purpose of the study was to examine
conceptions of household measuring utensils and establish how well participants
estimate the sizes of household measuring utensils comparing with metric sizes of 250
ml for a cup, 15 ml and 5 ml for a tablespoon and a teaspoon, respectively. The study
used a cross-sectional survey design with a random sample of 253 participants aged
between 18-60 years. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires by identifying
a sample that best approximated their perception of a standard (metric) cup, tablespoon
and teaspoon. The results revealed that most adults’ perceptions of the utensils differed
from the correct measurements (metric sizes) of household utensils. Fifty eight percent
of participants identified a sample of 375 ml sample as the one that they thought best
approximated a standard / metric cup while 19% identified a 330 ml sample as the one
that best approximated a metric cup. Only 13% of participants correctly identified a
standard cup. Pertaining to tablespoon and teaspoon sizes, only about 7% and 38%
participants correctly identified a tablespoon and teaspoon, respectively. The weighted
mean size of a cup as perceived by participants was estimated at 332 ml. The mean
difference between what participant perceived best explained their understanding of a
cup (332ml) from the metric size of 250 ml was statistically significant (significant one
sample t-test; T = 20. 234, p< .001; df = 252). Similarly, the average size of a teaspoon
as perceived by participants differed from standard/ metric size of a teaspoon (T = -4.326, p< .001; n= 251). Similarly, observations were made with regard to the difference
between perceived size of tablespoon (T = -51.20, p< .001; n = 252) and metric size of
a tablespoon. Lastly, participants’ perception of sizes of household utensils was
influenced by age, education and gender. The findings underscore the importance of
establishing local notions of household measures before assessment methods that rely on
their use are administered. Further, the findings suggest the need for clients’ education
on household measures prior to use of the same in dietary assessments.
Keywords
Botswana; Dietary recall; Dietary assessment; Household measuring utensils
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