Abstract
A cross-sectional survey have been conducted among a sample of 641 adults aged from 19 to 65 in Cotonou, an urban area in Benin. We collected information on the socio-economic status of the household, the frequency of consumption of legumes and cowpea-based dishes and on the reasons of non-consumption of those dishes. We also evaluated the quantities consumed for each dish using a food portion photograph books presenting different sizes of these cowpea foods. The study showed that cowpea is a very popular legume consumed by the population because only 2% of the population interviewed are not consumers. In Cotonou, nine cowpea-based dishes have been identified. Among them, the percentage of consumption during the last week before the survey varied highly and the most cowpea’s dishes consumed are the stews (in local name: Vêyi and Abobo) and the donuts (in local name: Ata and Ata-doco) (72% and 60% of cowpea’s consumers respectively). However, digestive problems encountered after the consumption of legumes appear to be the factor that decrease cowpea consumption.