Consumo alimentar da população urbana de Viçosa, Minas Gerais

Resumo

In the present investigation, conducted in 1972 in Vigosa, Minas Gerais, income elasticity was estimated by measuring levels of food consumption as well as consumption functions for staple foods, Fifty families were selected and classified according to their monthly "per capita" income as follows:

Group 1 - from to Cr$ 60,00 14 families

Group 2 - more than 60,00 to Cr$ 120,00 11 families

Group 3 - more tham 120,00 11 families

Group 4 - more tham Cr$ 300,00 11 families

Consumption was the monthly "per capita" consumption obtained by dividing total monthly consumption, in quilos, by unit equivalentes of each family.

There was a predominance of women in the sampled population and the greatest age group sampled was between 5 and 9 years of age. Family heads were usually farmers or businessmen and almost always literate.

Equations with larger adjustment (R2) were selected for the calculation of coeficients of elasticity and all those above 20% were accepted.

Potato, onion, red carrots, yellow carrot, pumpkin, chuchu, avocado and butter showed lower elasticity in the low levels of income, elasticity increasing with income. As expected, roots and tubers; industrialized candies; legumes and vegetables; fruits. Incliding banana, orange, lemon, papaya pineaple, avocado; animal products incliding beef, lever poultry, eggs, milk products and, cheese showed coefficients which decreased with a decrease in income. This was true e specially in the higt protein group foods.

Beans, sugar, rice and garlic were observed in the diets of all families and macaroni, cornmeal and onion were found in the majority of the diets.

Tomato, papoultry and vegetable fat were the most frequentty consumed vegetable, meat and fat respectively. Milk was consumed by 74% of the polled families.

Cereals and cereal products were the largest source of calories followed by milk and milk products, fats, sweets, dry seeds, legumes and vegetables, eggs and fishes.

Within cereals and cereals products rice showed the largest "per capita" consumption with bread also shering a large consumption.

Potato was mast consumed root and starch product and sugar was the mostty widely consumed sweet.

In the group of dry seeds and legumes, fruits and meat, black beanstomatoes and beef respectively were consumed in the largest quantities. Beef was followed in order by poultry and pork.

Fish consumption was highest in the level 2 income and decreased in the higher income levels. Egg consumption averaged, 1 per day in the high income groups and week in the low income groups.

Milk and milk products were consumed in larger amounts by the higher income groups than by the lower income groups.

Lard was consumed in larger amounts than vegetable oils Since carbohydrates furnished 61,18% of the total calories, Proteins 20,86% fats 17,96%. Diets were classified as hyperglycidic.