Knowledge and behaviors regarding salt intake in Mozambique

Background/objectives: Health education and regulatory measures may contribute to lower population salt intake. Therefore, we aimed to describe knowledge and behaviors related to salt intake in Mozambique. Subjects/methods: A cross-sectional evaluation of a representative sample of the population aged 15–64 years (n = 3116) was conducted in 2014/2015, following the Stepwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance, including a 12-question module for evaluation of dietary salt. Results: Three dimensions were identified in the questionnaire, named “self-reported salt intake”, “knowledge of health effects of salt intake”, and “behaviors for control of salt intake”. A total of 7.4% of the participants perceived that they consumed too much/far too much salt and 25.9% reported adding salt/salty seasoning often/always to prepared foods. The proportion considering that it was not important to decrease the salt contents of their diet was 8%, and 16.9% were not aware that high salt intake could be deleterious for health. Prevalences of lack of behaviors for reducing salt intake ranged from 74.9% for not limiting consumption of processed foods, to 95% for not buying low salt alternatives. There were few differences according to socio-demographic variables, but awareness of hypertension was, in general, associated with better knowledge and less frequent behaviors likely to contribute to a high salt intake. Conclusions: Most Mozambicans were aware that high salt intake can cause health problems, but the self-reported salt intake and behaviors for its control show an ample margin for improvement. This study provides evidence to guide population level salt-reducing policies

Genetic Diversity for Grain Nutrients Content in Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana (L.) Gaertn.) Germplasm

Knowledge of existing genetic variability is essential for initiating a successful plant breeding program. This chapter reviews nutrient diversity studies conducted on finger millet germplasm globally. In all the studies, very high variability was observed in all the quality traits determined. Most of the nutrients were positively correlated with each other, implying that they can simultaneously be improved. Grain color and glume covering were associated with nutrient content, with darker grains having higher compared to white-colored and enclosed grains having higher nutrient content than intermediate covered having higher content. These two can be used as morphological markers. Local cultivars and varieties released in the East and South Asia (ESA) region had significantly lower levels of the main essential nutrients (Ca, Fe, and Zn) found in finger millet, most likely as a result of farmers selecting for varieties with brown-colored grain. Country of origin was highly significant for all the nutrients, with accessions from eastern and southern Africa having significantly lower nutrient contents. Grain color was associated with nutrient content with darker grains having higher compared to white colored. All nutrients were positively correlated (P < 0.001) with each other. Grain yield was not significantly correlated with any nutrient content. The substantial variability for the grain nutrients observed in the finger millet core collection and local germplasm indicates the possibility for the selection of nutrient-rich accessions for use in the breeding program