International Journal of Innovative Research & Development,
may result to poor nutritional status. However, determining the level of nutrient intakes may be used to establish nutritional
adequacy of the diet consumed. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing nutrient adequacy of diet consumed by adult’s
population in urban area of Dar-es-salaam. A cross sectional study was conducted among 270 adult’s population aged 25 to
64 years. Dietary intake was assessed by using a repeated 24hr dietary recall method and Nutrient adequacy ratio for energy,
protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, cholesterol, iron, zinc and calcium was calculated. Mean age (years) of the subject was 38 ±
10.5 years. On average energy intake was2295.6 ± 264.6 Kcal. Average intake for protein, fat and carbohydrate were 65.6 ±
11.5g, 79 ± 18.5g and 337.2 ± 46.8g respectively. Mean saturated fat intake was 53.9 ± 14.9g. Other nutrients analyzed were
fibre (23.9 ± 5.3g), iron (11.7 ± 2.8mg), zinc (8.2 ± 1.5mg) and calcium (299.8 ± 204.4mg). Mean dietary diversity score was
8where by more than 50% of the subjects consumed at least 8 food groups. Average nutrient adequacy ratio for energy was
(0.86), fat (1.27), protein (1.05), carbohydrate (1.1), saturated fat (4.15), fiber (1.07), iron (0.31), zinc (0.89), calcium
(0.3)and the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) for energy intake and 8nutrients was 1.22. Food consumed provided adequate
nutrients due to composition of different foods groups. However, the nutrient adequacy ratio for calcium was very low
compared to saturated fat which had a cut-off of 1, indicating that more fat has been consumed than recommended level.
This may result in developing metabolic risk factors that contribute to the increase of non-communicable diseases. Therefore,
promotion of diversified diets in a right proportion should be advocated to build a health society.