Nutritional and health status primary schoolchildren in rural Uganda

Poor nutrition and health can affect children’s education. The nutritional status of school children (9-15 years) was assessed in Kumi district, Eastern Uganda in 2006-2007. Selection of schools was done using modified cluster sampling involving 34 schools (n= 645). Assessments for nutritional status were done anthropometrically (height and weight), biochemically (iron, n=145; iodine, n=87; and vitamin A, n=145) and assessment for health status was done following the formal ether concentration technique for examination for intestinal helminths (n=189) and a quick malaria (n=119) test for malaria parasites. Prevalence rates for stunting, underweight and thinness were 8.7% (95CI 6.7-11.1); 13.0% (95CI 10.6-15.8); and 10.1% (95CI 7.9-12.6), respectively of which males and the older age group of children were more affected. Prevalence rates for iodine deficiency, anaemia, iron deficiency and vitamin A deficiency (VAD) were 3.4% (95CI 0.9-9.1); 24.1% (95CI 17.7-31.6); 82.1% (95CI 75.2-87.7); and 30.3% (95CI 23.3- 38.2), respectively. Anaemia (measured as haemoglobin status), iron deficiency (measured as serum Ferritin) and VAD (measured as serum retinol) were higher among females (26.3%, 95CI 17.5-36.7; 83.8%, 95CI 74.4-90.7; 33.8%, 95CI 24.0-44.6) compared to males (21.5%, 95CI 12.8-32.8; 80%, 95CI 69.0-88.4; 26.2%, 95CI 16.6-37.8). Geohelminth (S.mansoni & N.americanus) and malaria parasitemia were 4.8% and 46.2%, respectively. Prevalence rates for stunting, iodine deficiency and geohelminth infections were low. The high prevalence rates of wasting/thinness, underweight, iron and vitamin A deficiencies show these as significant public health problems among school children in Kumi district. There is a need to focus attention on nutritional and health conditions of school children to improve their conditions. Much can be done to prevent malaria infection by promoting the use of Insecticide Treated Nets and chemoprophylaxis. The biennial dosage with albendazole for deworming, and universal use of iodized salt in Uganda are success stories that should continue; iron deficiency anaemia can be controlled through nutrition education, provision of nutritious school meals coupled with control of malaria and deworming. Since many children attend school, such services if delivered through school systems would assist those school children who most need them

Postharvest practices along supply chains of Solanum Aethiopicum (shum) and Amaranthus lividus (linn) leafy vegetables in Wakiso and Kampala Districts, Uganda

A cross-sectional study design was employed for the purpose of understanding the postharvest practices and entry point for losses  along the supply chains of Solanum aethiopicum and Amaranthus lividus leafy vegetables. This is important so that interventions along the supply chain may not be misplaced. The target population included chain actors: farmers (n=10), traders (n=30) and key informants (n=7) who were selected purposively for interviews. A total of 10 farms and 7 market visits were made along the two supply routes: Kabubbu-Kalerwe and Kabubbu-Kireka. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and key informant checklist. Two supply chains were observed in this study: short supply chain where the farmer doubled as a trader. Farmers in this category were the majority (90%). In the long type, farmers (10%) supplied middlemen/transporters who then delivered to the markets. Furthermore, there were no exports or value addition in either of the supply chains. A good hygiene practice observed on the farm was that of trimming off the roots of vegetables to reduce contamination from the soil and also the amount of garbage generated in the market. Packing of vegetables on hired trucks was a common practice where roots/leaves faced each other to prevent soiling of the leaves by the roots. The main transport means used was truck (100%) with alternative transportation means being motorcycle and bicycles. The cool evening hours (20:00 to 00:00hrs) were the most preferred transportation times. The packaging method observed in the market was use of either black or white polythene bags at the point of sale with only 53.3% of the traders packaging for their customers. There was no proper packaging and storage both on the farms and in the markets. Traders in the markets either sprinkled water on the leftover vegetables or covered them with a wet sack as a preservation method. Moreover,  only 16.6% sorted and graded their vegetables whereas 83.4% did not. There was inappropriate handling, storage and packaging practices along the two supply chains. Key words: handling, transport, packaging, storage, leafy vegetables, supply chain, chain  actor

Racial differences in prediabetes prevalence by test type for the US pediatric and adult population: NHANES 1999‐2016

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that US estimates of prediabetes or diabetes differ depending on test type, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) vs hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Given age, race, and test differences reported in the literature, we sought to further examine these differences in prediabetes detection using a nationally representative sample.MethodsUsing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999‐2016, individuals were identified as having prediabetes with an HbA1c of 5.7% to 6.4% or a FPG of 100 to 125 mg/dL. We excluded individuals with measurements in the diabetic range. We ran generalized estimating equation logistic regressions to examine the relationship between age, race, and test type with interactions, controlling for sex and body mass index. We compared the difference in predicted prediabetes prevalence detected by impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) vs HbA1c by race/ethnicity among children and adults separately using adjusted Wald tests.ResultsThe absolute difference in predicted prediabetes detected by IFG vs HbA1c was 19.9% for white adolescents, 0% for black adolescents, and 20.1% for Hispanic adolescents; 21.4% for white adults, −1.2% for black adults, and 19.2% for Hispanic adults. Using adjusted Wald tests, we found the absolute differences between black vs white and black vs Hispanic individuals to be significant, but, not between Hispanic and white individuals among children and adults separately.ConclusionsThese observations highlight differences in test performance among racial/ethnic groups. Our findings corroborate the need for further studies to determine appropriate HbA1c cutoff levels for diagnosis of prediabetes by age group and race.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163459/2/pedi13083_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163459/1/pedi13083.pd

Effect of post-harvest handling practices, storage technologies and packaging material on post-harvest quality and antioxidant potential of Solanum Aethiopicum (Shum) leafy vegetable

Several studies have supported the use of vegetables as foods as well as medicinal plants. However, most especially for the leafy types of vegetables, their high moisture content gives them a short shelf life. On average Solanum aethiopicum (Shum) has a shelf life of one day, making it unable to keep fresh for a long time. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of post-harvest handling practices and storage technology on the post-harvest quality and antioxidant activity in S. aethiopicum, as well as determine the packaging material that could be able to maintain a high post-harvest quality during storage. The post-harvest handling and storage technologies were tested under three experimental conditions. Experiment one involved placing 2.0 kg of the harvested S. aethiopicum with roots intact (RI) and others with roots cut-off (RC) in a charcoal cooler (-CC), 21.0±1.00 °C, 95.67±3.01 %rh; in ambient storage (-AC), 23.8±2.86 °C, 69.38±6.72 % rh; and in cold room (-CR), 7.17±1.30 °C, 95.80±3.19 %rh. Experiment two involved storing 2.0 kg of S. aethiopicum in charcoal cooler with no water treatment (TT-) and in ambient storage while immersing in portable water for 2 to 3 seconds during the day (TT+). Experiment three involved packing 1.0 kg of S. aethiopicum sample of both RC and RI state to assess the effectiveness of the packaging materials (0.1 cm meshed perforated polyethylene (RC0.1), 0.5 cm meshed perforated polyethylene (RC0.5) and a 60 μm perforated polyethylene (RC60μm) in maintaining quality of the vegetables. The edible parts of the vegetable were tested for moisture content, percentage weight loss, chlorophyll content, polyphenol content and total antioxidant activity (as measures of post-harvest quality and shelf life) after every 24 hours. The antioxidant activity was determined by screening for free radical scavenging properties using diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ascorbic acid as standard. The results revealed that Shelf life was found to increase (from one day to four days) when the vegetable was intermittently immersed in portable water for 2 to 3 seconds after every one hour during the day for vegetables in ambient storage both with roots intact (RI(TT+)-AC and with roots cut-off RC(TT+)-AC). The samples stored in cold room and charcoal cooler showed slow and comparable reduction (percent) of weight for both intact and roots cut. The chlorophyll content decreased in all storage conditions, with ambient conditions showing the most rapid decrease. The total polyphenol fluctuated within relatively small limits for both with intact and roots cut-off when stored in cold room and charcoal cooler (6.25±0.05 to 9.35±0.05 mgGAE/gfw; respectively) within the four days of storage. Storage in ambient conditions indicated an increase in total polyphenol content from 9.35±0.05 to 14.77±0.12 mgGAE/gfw for that with roots intact (RI-AC) and to 13.65±0.06 mgGAE/gfw for roots cut-off (RC-AC). The increase in total polyphenol content in the ambient storage led to increased total antioxidant activity compared to that stored in cold room and charcoal cooler that remained almost constant. The 60 μm perforated polyethylene and 0.1 cm meshed perforated polyethylene retained more moisture (84.55±0.18 % and 85.20±0.03 %; respectively) and showed minimal percentage of weight loss (9.69±0.25 %) with the highest chlorophyll content (8.06±0.02 mg/g dwb) on day four when stored in the charcoal cooler, making it the best tested packaging material

Iron and zinc content of selected foods in the diet of schoolchildren in Kumi district, east of Uganda: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Iron and zinc are essential micronutrients for humans and deficiency of the two elements is widespread in the world with the highest prevalence in less developed countries. There are few data on dietary intake of iron and zinc in Uganda, and no food composition table is available. There is hardly any widely published literature that clearly documents the quality of Ugandan children's diet. Thus information of both food intake and the concentration of these trace elements in local food ingredients are needed in order to assess daily intake.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The present study focused on the iron and zinc content in selected foods and intake of the micronutrients iron and zinc among schoolchildren in Kumi District, Uganda. Over a period of 4 weeks single 24-hour dietary recall interviews were carried out on a convenience sample of 178 schoolchildren (9-15 years old). Data from the dietary recalls was used when selecting foods for chemical analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results from this study showed that the iron concentrations varied, and were high in some cereals and vegetables. The zinc concentrations in foods generally corresponded with results from other African countries (Mali and Kenya). Data from the 24-hour dietary recall showed that the daily Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) was met for iron but not for zinc.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The schoolchildren of Kumi district had a predominantly vegetable based diet. Foods of animal origin were consumed occasionally. The iron content in the selected foods was high and variable, and higher than in similar ingredients from Kenya and Mali, while the zinc concentrations were generally in accordance with reported values. The total daily zinc (mg) intake does not meet the daily RNI. The iron intake is adequate according to RNI, but due to iron contamination and reduced bioavailability, RNI may not be met in a vegetable based diet. More studies are needed to investigate possible sources of contamination.</p

Low aerobic mitochondrial energy metabolism in poorly- or undifferentiated neuroblastoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) has been associated with carcinogenesis in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. In the present study we investigated components of the oxidative phosphorylation system in human neuroblastoma tissue samples.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Spectrophotometric measurements, immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot analysis were used to characterize the aerobic mitochondrial energy metabolism in neuroblastomas (NB).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to mitochondrial citrate synthase, SDH activity was severely reduced in NB (n = 14) versus kidney tissue. However no pathogenic mutations could be identified in any of the four subunits of SDH. Furthermore, no genetic alterations could be identified in the two novel SDH assembly factors SDHAF1 and SDH5. Alterations in genes encoding nfs-1, frataxin and isd-11 that could lead to a diminished SDH activity have not been detected in NB.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Because downregulation of other complexes of the oxidative phosphorylation system was also observed, a more generalized reduction of mitochondrial respiration seems to be present in neuroblastoma in contrast to the single enzyme defect found in hereditary pheochromocytomas.</p

Determinants of dietary diversity among pregnant women in Laikipia County, Kenya: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Dietary diversity has continued to gain widespread attention among the population since it has evidently been associated with nutrient adequacy. A diverse diet has been shown to reflect nutrient adequacy since no one food can meet the nutritional requirement of a person. Pregnant women have been considered vulnerable to malnutrition due to their increased nutrient requirement and therefore a variety of foods in their diet is considered imperative in ensuring adequate nutrient intake. To promote dietary diversity, it is important to understand the factors associated with it. This paper therefore assessed the determinants of dietary diversity among pregnant women in Laikipia County, Kenya. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional analytical study consisting of 254 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital in Laikipia County, Kenya. RESULTS: The mean Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was 6.84 ± 1.46 Standard Deviation (SD), with cereals being the most (99%) commonly consumed food group. Adjusted Logistic Regression (AOR) analyses revealed education level (AOR = 2.78; (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.06, 5.32; p &lt; 0.001), employment status (AOR = 2.29; CI 1.18, 4.14; p = 0.003), monthly income (AOR = 2.08; CI 1.32, 3.03; p &lt; 0.001), household assets (AOR = 1.93; CI 0.73, 6.90; p = 0.030), land ownership (AOR = 0.64; CI 0.44, 2.25; p = 0.040), and morbidity (AOR = 0.78; CI 0.36, 2.34; p = 0.010) among the pregnant women as the variables that influenced their dietary diversity. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic factors (education level, employment status, monthly income, household assets and land ownership) have been shown to influence dietary diversity in this study. New policies and intervention programmes targeting these determinants of dietary diversity should therefore be enacted, while the existing ones should be supported and monitored particularly among the vulnerable populations. Such policies and programmes among pregnant women will ensure improved dietary diversity and adequate nutrient intake. Similarly, since morbidity incidence among pregnant women have been shown to significantly influence dietary diversity, public health awareness campaign on the importance of early detection and timely treatment of diseases among pregnant women should be launched by the relevant stakeholders

Social circumstances and cultural beliefs influence maternal nutrition, breastfeeding and child feeding practices in South Africa:

Maternal and child undernutrition remain prevalent in developing countries with 45 and 11% of child deaths linked to poor nutrition and suboptimal breastfeeding, respectively. This also has adverse effects on child growth and development. The study determined maternal dietary diversity, breastfeeding and, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and identified reasons for such behavior in five rural communities in South Africa, in the context of cultural beliefs and social aspects