An analysis of the patterns of food consumption among households in Kenya

The study of food consumption patterns is important in improving the welfare of the population of Kenya. The study, on which this paper is based, analyzed the consumption of different foods among households using data from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey carried out in 2005-2006 in Kenya. The study also compared this to data from the Food and Agricultural Organization, for selected years, for the period 1965 to 2002 in Kenya. It was found that cereals constituted the most popular food consumed. Other important foods consumed were fruits, pulses, vegetables, milk and eggs. Meat and sugars were also represented among the foods well liked. It is therefore important for the government to implement policies to improve dietary food intake to assist the population, especially the poor. This paper is significant because, by identifying the predominant foods consumed by the population, the problem of access to food can be addressed by the government. This paper therefore contributes useful knowledge on the problem of food access as well as providing additional insight into the food and dietary patterns of the population in Kenya. This enables researchers to assess clearly the effects of past and present food policies and enables a study of how effective they have been in alleviating poverty and improving access to food.