INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ON FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERN IN DISTRICT NOWSHERA

A field study was carried out to examine the influence of socio-economic factors (household size and income) on food consumption pattern in district Nowshera in year 2005. A sample size of 375- household was randomly interviewed and data were collected on a predesigned questionnaire. The survey was carried out in the cantonment area of Nowshera because the scope of the study was limited to the urban population of Nowshera. The relevant data pertaining to household size, sex, literacy rate and level of education, total household monthly income and expenditure on various food items consumed were recorded. The results of this study revealed that the average family size was 6.12 persons with a literacy rate of 97%. Average monthly total income per household was Rs. 20,004.00. The total expenditure on food items was Rs. 7340.00 per month which amounted to 35% of the totalmonthly household income. This expenditure on food items was shared in the ratio of wheat four 15.0, milk 14.5, meat 13.5, vegetables 13.3, fruit 13.0, pulses or rice 4.0 and tea 3.2 %, respectively. The econometric model employed indicated that the socio-economic factors household size and monthly total income had a positive correlation with most of food items consumed in the urban area of district Nowshera. Monthly total income had a positive influence on all food items i.e. wheat flour, milk, vegetable, meat, tea, fruit and eggs except rice, pulses, sugar and edible fats. Whereas, household size influenced wheat flour, milk, rice, pulses, fruit, vegetables, tea and eggs positively but meat, vegetables and edible fats were consumed independently of household strength. Therefore, measures to enhance production and availability of essential food items to a abate food security problems, may be considered in the urban environment.