Contribution of fish to animal protein consumption in daily diet

A comparative study was under taken to know the availability, composition and contribution of fish, beef, mutton, chicken, egg, dal, milk, vegetable, shak and fruits to human health in Bangladesh Agricultural University campus and near-by villages in Mymensingh sadar Upazilla. Data were collected purposively from the four group of people like teachers, officers, poor people and male and female students of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh using individual questionnaire interview, key informant interview, focus group discussion (FGD) and individual case study. Secondary data from the Government and non-government organizations and published materials were collected for this study. The data showed that the fish consumption was found to be average 26.76 Kg per capita per year in the study area. Consumption of other protein rich food such as meat, egg and milk were found to be 7.71 Kg, 138 no., and 18.24 liter per capita per year, respectively. Average per capita intake of fish, meat, egg and milk were 73.31 g, 21.12 g, 0.38 no. and 49.97 ml per day respectively. Ninety nine percent respondents of all groups preferred dry fish. The intake of animal protein in the form of fish, egg and milk had increased significantly in the region due to availability, comparatively cheap than the other protein sources and financial ability of the respondents. Among the sources, fish was found to be contributed more in protein consumption than meat, beef, mutton, milk and egg. Protein contribution of fish was 59%. On the other hand, protein contribution of meat, egg and milk were 23.83%, 9.14% and 7.95%, respectively. The study revealed that the expenditure for food was the major part of the total expenditure of the respondent's family, teachers, second class officers, poor people and students spent about 50.23%, 57.22%, 81.29% and 52.76% of the total expenditure on food items, respectively. However, food consumption pattern is closely related to the respondent's income level, their food preference and a1so their educational status