DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i01.018

Pages: 102-108

Oils are an important ingredient in food worldwide. The consumption pattern in terms of quantity, blending/combination and cooking process including reuse and reheat of oils are of interest to all concerned with heath. The literature, on ill effects of excess consumption and unhealthy cooking process of reheating/reusing are indicative of the need for knowing the behaviour pattern of the population in the consumption of oil. In this context, the present study was undertaken in Chidambaram town, Tamilnadu among 218 households. Dietary assessment was made using 24 hours recall method. The results showed that a majority of the households were consuming more than recommended level. The per capita intake of oil was found to be 13.2 kg per annum. The reuse of oil was reported by 58.3% and percentage of energy from fat was with in the recommended level for a majority of the households (82.6%). The pattern of consumption in terms of changing and combination of oil usage was found to be associated with education and income of the head of the households. However, the excess intake and reuse of oil are of concern. To address these two issues of excess consumption and reuse, specific messages are to be delivered at community level.