Dietary Intake and Anthropometric Status Differ for Anaemic and Non-anaemic Rural South African Infants Aged 6–12 Months

The study was undertaken to determine anthropometric measurements, sociodemographic data, and dietary intake of 238 anaemic and 241 non-anaemic rural South African infants aged 6–12 months. Logistic regression with anaemia as a dependent variable showed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–3.52) for low birth-weight, 2.04 (CI 1.29–3.22) for maternal age 20 years or younger, 2.21 (CI 1.29–3.76) for consumption of tea, and 0.40 (CI 0.26–0.63) for formula feeding. The anaemic infants, aged 6−<9 months, had a lower average weight gain per month than the non-anaemic infants (727 g vs 772 g; p=0.040, analysis of variance). Logistic regression with underweight as a dependent variable showed an OR of 3.55 (CI 1.26–10.01) for anaemia, and with stunting as a dependent variable, the OR was 2.71 (CI 1.46–5.02). Low birth-weight, a young mother aged 20 years or younger, and consumption of tea were identified as risk factors for anaemia, while formula feeding was shown to have a protective effect. The anaemic infants were more likely to show growth faltering

Nutrition in contemporary South Africa

In South Africa, both under- and over-nutrition exist. At national level, more than half of the females are either overweight or obese, while children suffer from under-nutrition. Childhood malnutrition starts early in life, with the first two years being the most vulnerable period. Chronic malnutrition (as indicated by the prevalence of stunting) is a bigger problem than acute malnutrition (as indicated by the prevalence of wasting). Stunted children have a higher risk for being overweight. At national level, 33.3% of preschool children are vitamin A deficient, 21.4% are anaemic and 5.0% suffer from iron deficiency anaemia. Prevalence figures for childhood malnutrition differ between and within provinces. South African children consume a maizebased diet that is inadequate in energy and of low nutrient density. Inadequate intake of micronutrients starts during infancy. Strategies to address micronutrient malnutrition include high-dose vitamin A supplementation, food fortification, biofortification and dietary diversification. The availability of a greater variety of nutritious foods at community and household level can be increased through mixed cropping, the introduction of new crops, the promotion of underexploited traditional food crops, and home-gardens. A broad multifaceted comprehensive health intervention programme is needed to address childhood malnutrition.Keywords: nutritional status, adults, children, dietary diversification, South Afric

Rising food prices and household food security

No Abstrac

Healthy ageing: Is it achievable?

No Abstrac

Field-testing of food-based dietary guidelines

No abstract

Dietary Intake and Anthropometric Status Differ for Anaemic and Non-anaemic Rural South African Infants Aged 6-12 Months

The study was undertaken to determine anthropometric measurements, sociodemographic data, and dietary intake of 238 anaemic and 241 non-anaemic rural South African infants aged 6-12 months. Logistic regression with anaemia as a dependent variable showed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.89 (95% confidence inter\uadval [CI] 1.01-3.52) for low birth-weight, 2.04 (CI 1.29-3.22) for maternal age 20 years or younger, 2.21 (CI 1.29-3.76) for consumption of tea, and 0.40 (CI 0.26-0.63) for formula feeding. The anaemic infants, aged 6-&lt;9 months, had a lower average weight gain per month than the non-anaemic infants (727 g vs 772 g; p=0.040, analysis of variance). Logistic regression with underweight as a dependent variable showed an OR of 3.55 (CI 1.26-10.01) for anaemia, and with stunting as a dependent variable, the OR was 2.71 (CI 1.46-5.02). Low birth-weight, a young mother aged 20 years or younger, and consumption of tea were identi\uadfied as risk factors for anaemia, while formula feeding was shown to have a protective effect. The anaemic infants were more likely to show growth faltering

The contribution of dark-green leafy vegetables to total micronutrient intake of two- to five-year-old children in a rural setting

This study determined the contribution of dark-green leafy vegetables (DGLV) to total micronutrient intake of two- to fiveyear- old children residing in two neighbouring rural villages in KwaZulu-Natal where production and consumption of these vegetables were promoted. A repeated cross-sectional study that included five repeated 24 h dietary recalls per study period was done during February (n=79), May (n=74), August (n=75) and November (n=78) of 2005 by interviewing the caregivers. Consumption of spinach (mostly Swiss chard) and imifino (a collective term for various dark-green leaves) complemented each other, with imifino being consumed mostly during the first and last quarter of the year, and spinach (mostly Swiss chard) during the 3rd quarter. The proportion of children who consumed DGLV during the 5 d recall period ranged from 36% (May survey) to 86% (February survey), and the average number of times that children consumed it ranged from 1.4 (May survey) to 2.2 (February survey). The average portion size consumed was approximately ½ cup (87 ± 56 g for spinach; 87 ± 38 g for imifino). For children consuming DGLV, these vegetables contributed significantly to dietary intake of calcium (21 to 39% of total intake), iron (19 to 39%), vitamin A (42 to 68%) and riboflavin (9 to 22%).In conclusion, DGLV made a significant contribution towards total nutrient intake of the children for several of the micronutrients. This contribution can potentially be increased should these vegetables be consumed more frequently and by a larger proportion of the children.Keywords: dark-green leafy vegetables, dietary intake, micronutrients, children, rural, South Afric

Assessment of food gardens as nutrition tool in primary schools in South Africa

Objectives: To assess knowledge, perceptions and practices on food production  amongst learners and educators, gardening activities and management of school food gardens in schools participating in the National School Nutrition Programme.Design: Cross-sectional survey.Setting: Ten purposively selected primary schools in each of the nine provinces of South Africa (total: n = 90).Subjects and outcome measures: Questionnaire data were collected from the garden administrators (n = 66), garden workers (n = 55), educators (n = 687) and learners (n = 2 547). A checklist was completed for the school garden (n = 66) by  observation.Results: Sixty-six (73%) schools had a food garden, varying in size (100 m2 – 6  000 m2). A variety of vegetables, but few fruit, were grown. Problems experienced  with gardens were mostly lack of funds (59%), tools and infrastructure (47%),  garden workers (53%) and technical support (50%). Few schools received external funding for food gardens. In 50% of gardens, crops were growing for &gt; 6 months, and 30% of gardens provided fresh produce for school meals more than twice a week. Fifty-four percent (54%) of learners were involved in school gardens, and 67% had food gardens at home. Attitudes of learners and educators towards both food  gardening and eating vegetables and fruit were generally positive; 68.4% of learners and 86.4% of educators indicated they like to eat vegetables every day.Conclusions: School food gardens as a vehicle for improving nutrition should be strengthened through training of educators and garden personnel, and support by external role players and policy directives are needed to enhance sustainability.Keywords: agriculture, National school nutrition program, school food garden

Total β-carotene content of orange sweetpotato cultivated under optimal conditions and at a rural village

At community level, sweetpotato is often cultivated in marginal soils, with low agricultural inputs and is harvested when needed. Total β-carotene content of orange sweetpotato harvested four, five and six months after planting at optimal cultivation conditions and at a rural village was determined. Compared to those produced under optimal conditions, sweetpotato produced under rural village conditions were smaller, had higher β-carotene content and required a smaller serving size to provide 100% of the dietary vitamin A requirements. Harvesting at four, five and six months after planting at a rural village showed gradual increases in β-carotene content; no change was observed under optimal conditions. Differences in β-carotene content due to harvesting time and management level should be considered in food-based interventions addressing vitamin A deficiency.Keywords: Provitamin A content, orange sweet potato, cultivation conditionsAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(25), pp. 3947-395