Effect of Germination on Cooking, Nutrient Composition and Organoleptic Qualities of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa).

The study was carried out to determine the effect of germination on the nutritional and sensory qualities of African yam bean (AYB). The AYB seeds were germinated at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs. The ungerminated sample was used as control. Germinated and ungerminated samples were cooked separately and each sample was divided into three portions. Two third of each sample was served for sensory evaluation while one third of each sample was ground into paste and used for chemical analysis. Sensory evaluation was conducted using 40-man panelist. The result showed that AYB germinated for 96 hours (GN) had the shortest cooking time (115 minutes) and gave the best nutrient composition. Results for sensory evaluation showed that sample GN had the least acceptability in terms of colour, taste and flavor compared to other samples (P<0.05). Germination can be used to improve nutrient composition and reduce cooking time and beany flavor of  the cooked AYB seeds. Key words: African yam bean, germination, cooking, organoleptic, nutrient.

The association between calf circumference and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index of black urban women in Tlokwe City

Background: Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and strength, is associated with adverse health outcomes. Calf circumference (CC) has been proposed as a surrogate measure of muscle mass in the elderly; however, ethnic/sex specific cut-off values remain to be established.Objective: A study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between CC and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), and the ASM index (ASMI), as well as to determine whether CC could be used to diagnose sarcopenia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 247 older black women living from Tlokwe, South Africa. ASM was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the ASMI was calculated. Receiver operator characteristics curves and maximum Youden index were applied to identify a CC cut-off point for sarcopenia according to low gait speed (< 0.8 m/s), low hand-grip strength (< 16 kg) and low ASMI using a South African cut-off point for sarcopenia (ASMI < 4.94 kg/m2).Results: A strong positive correlation between CC and ASMI (r = 0.84, p < 0.001) was observed. The CC to predict low hand-grip strength was 34.3 cm and 37.8 cm for low gait speed. A CC of 29.9 cm was indicative of sarcopenia. The area under the curve for all outcomes was > 0.60.Conclusion: A CC of 30 cm is proposed as a simple and inexpensive way to predict, screen or diagnose sarcopenia in black women in low-resource health settings. An accessible, inexpensive screening or diagnostic tool could facilitate timely interventions and prevention.Keywords: gait speed, geriatric, hand-grip strength, muscle strength, sarcopeni

Food security status and coping strategies of rural households with under-5 children in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State

Background: Food insecurity is a growing public health concern in Nigeria especially where all efforts towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG 1) of eradicating extreme hunger and poverty by 2015 is yet to be realized. This cross sectional study was designed to assess food security status of rural households in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo state.Methods: A total of 410 mothers with under-five children from rural households were selected using multistage sampling technique from the 16 wards that make up the LGA. A validated questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioeconomic characteristics, coping strategies and awareness of food insecurity. Food security status was assessed using a United State Department of Agriculture 18-item Food security survey module. Data were analyzed using descriptives and chi square.Results: A total of 74.6% of the rural households were food insecure (experiencing one stage of hunger or another). The main coping strategies employed to deal with food insecurity were reduction in number of meals eaten per day (49.8%) and cutting down portion sizes of food eaten (32.7%). Households size (X2=34.707; p=0.033); education (X2=72.660;p=0.041), occupation (X2= 53.011;p=0.046); number of children (X2=67.717; p=0.001) and amount of money spent on food (X2= 61.640;p=0.025) were significantly associated with food security.Conclusion: Varying levels of food insecurity was evident among the rural households in the study area. Efforts should focus on improving socio economic status of these rural households.Keywords: Food security, coping strategies, under-five children, rura

Chemical and sensory assessment of Ujuju (Myrianthus arboreus) leaf and soup

Background: Micronutrient deficiency is a major challenge around the globe. Consumption of traditional leafy vegetables has been identified as one of the strategies towards alleviating micronutrient deficiency. Objective: The study determined the chemical composition of Myrianthus arboreus (ujuju) leafand sensory properties of soups prepared with the vegetable. Methods: Fresh leaves of Myrianthus arboreus were obtained from farmlands in Oboro, Ikwuano, processed and analyzed for proximate, vitamin, mineral and anti-nutrient composition. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)soups were prepared using standard recipe and leaves of Myrianthus arboreus (OUJ) and Telfeira occidentalis (OUG) added to the soups. Sensory evaluation was done on the soup samples with Telfeira occidentalis soup as control (OUG). Data obtained were analyzed and expressed as means (standard deviation) and T-test was used to determine differences in sensory scores of the soup samples. Results: The result of the proximate analysis revealed that Myrianthus arboreus leaf had 66.1g moisture, crude lipid 0.96g, ash 6.02g, carbohydrate 9.49g, crude protein12.00g, crude fibre 5.38% and metabolizable energy value 94.6kcal. The vitamin values for  A and Cwere 6861.3 µg/100 g and 40.47mg/100g, respectively. The leaf contained calcium (89.92mg/100g), sodium (17.98mg/100g), iron (7.41mg/100g), potassium (70.55mg/100g), zinc (1.77mg/100g) and phosphorus (7.00mg/100g). There were alkaloids (3.00mg/100g), flavonoids (40.10mg/100g), tannins (6.81mg/100g), phenols (6.91mg/100g) and oxalate (13.00mg/100g) in ujuju leaf.  Okra (Telfeira occidentalis) soup had higher mean scores for sensory attributes, however, taste was similar for both soup samples. Conclusion: Myrianthus arboreus had appreciable amounts of protein, ash, vitamins and minerals. Its antinutrient content was within the acceptable limit. The vegetable could serve as a constituent of human diet.Keywords: Myrianthus arboreus, soup, underutilized, micronutrients, macro nutrient

Bacterial Load In Expressed And Stored Breast Milk Of Lactating Mothers In Abia State, Nigeria

The use of expressed breast milk has been advocated as an effective way of encouraging and maintaining lactation when the mother is separated from the baby for a while. However, prospects of storage of expressed breast milk for any considerable period of time is hindered by the possibility of bacterial contamination and growth of infectious pathogens in the stored milk. Previous research worldwide has focused on optimal conditions for storing expressed breast milk. This study investigated bacterial growth in expressed breast milk stored at two different conditions and time periods. A total of 240 randomly selected lactating mothers participated in a survey used to elicit information on their practices concerning expressed and stored breast milk. Out of this, 20 lactating mothers were willing to donate their breast milk, which was used for microbial studies. Using antiseptic procedures, breast milk samples were collected from these 20 lactating mothers by manual expression and put into sterile containers. One half was stored at room temperature (30°C), while the other half was immersed in a container of water (26°C) for 0, 3, 6 and 9hrs. The samples at different time periods in both storage conditions were plated on three different culture media (Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar and Chocolate agar) and incubated for 24hrs. Bacterial load was enumerated and isolates were characterized and identified. Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA and presented as frequencies, percentages means and standard deviations. Results showed that in all the culture media, bacterial load was higher in breast milk samples stored at room temperature for up to 9hrs compared to that immersed in water (p<0.05). However, the average colony counts were within acceptable limits (<104CFU/ml). Enterococcus faecalis , Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the predominant bacteria isolated in the breast milk samples under both storage conditions. The findings from this study revealed that storage of breast milk either at room temperature or immersed in a container of water appeared to be safe for up to 9 hours of storage in a tropical environment. Generally, the number of microbes was within levels considered acceptable in expressed breast milk

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and use of nutrition information on food labels in Aba, Abia State

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess consumers' knowledge, attitude and use of nutrition information on foodlabels.Methodology: A total of 440 randomly approached food shoppers willing to participate in the study were selected from shops in Aba South Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia state, Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaires were used to elicit information on the socioeconomic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and use of nutrition information on food labels. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression.Results: Self-reported use of labels was high (96.6%) among the respondents with about half of them (52.7%) consulting it regularly before making purchases. The commonly sought information on labels was the product expiry date (45.7%) and nutrient information (36.1%). Consumers had more interest in the cholesterol/fat (48%) and sugar (38.6%) content of foods they are purchasing. Good knowledge and attitude were observed in 26.6% and 44.5% of consumers, respectively. Consumers' attitude was significantly associated with nutrition knowledge (r=-0.598;P=0.02) and use of food labels (r=- 0.95;p=0.04). Linear regression analysis showed that marital status had a positive significant effect and educational status had a negative significant effect (p&lt;0.05) on usage of nutrition information on food labels.Conclusion: The findings indicated that self-reported use of food labels was high; however, lack of nutrition education on other benefits of reading labels aside from the expiry date was observed. Regulatory bodies should put in more effort to adequately sensitize consumers on its importance.Keywords: Nutrition information, food labels, Abia stat

Knowledge of Obesity and its Implications on the Reproductive Health Outcomes of young Female Adults (19-35years) in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Background: Obesity is a worldwide health epidemic and a major public health concern globally with negative impact on reproductive health.Objective: The study assessed the Knowledge of Obesity on Reproductive Health Outcomes of young Female Adults in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.Materials and methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study which involved 500 young female's adults who were systematically sampled. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to source information from participants. Knowledge of Health implications (HIs) of obesity was assessed on a 9point scale. Score lower or equal (≤3), was regarded as low knowledge while Score (≥4≤6), was regarded as average knowledge and those who score greater or equals (≥7≤9) are treated as excellent knowledge of HIs.Obesity was assessed using Body mass index. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square. A probability of P&lt;0.05 was taken to indicate level of significance.Result: Findings show that hospital, radio/television and school are the major sources of information about obesity by the respondents. The study shows that 50.2%of the participants perceived that obesity increase the risk of miscarriage, while 35.2%, irregular period, 35.2% infertility, and 42.0% cesarean section. Knowledge score of health implications of obesity revealed that only 5% had an excellentknowledge, about 62.2% had average knowledge while 32.8% had low knowledge.Conclusion: Knowledge of the health implication of obesity was low among the participants. Therefore, health enlightenment&nbsp; programmes with emphasis on health implications of obesity for young adults is urgently needed. Keywords: Obesity, Young Females, Health Implication, miscarriag

The association between anthropometric measures and physical performance in black adults of the North West Province, South Africa

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated associations between anthropometric measures and physical performance in black South African adults. It was hypothesized that noninvasive, simple anthropometric measurements, such as calf circumference (CC) and body mass index (BMI), may be useful predictors of physical performance and strength. METHODS: Black human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative men and women (aged 32-93 years) participating in the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study were enrolled at baseline in 2005 = 1428). Men and women's anthropometry, socio-demographics and physical activity (PA) were assessed at baseline, 5- and 10-year follow-up. Physical performance (walk speed, chair stand and handgrip strength [HGS]) were assessed at 10-year follow-up. Linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders were used to evaluate the association between anthropometric measures and physical performance. RESULTS: The combined overweight and obesity prevalence among both men (P = .02) and women (P < .001) increased significantly over 10 years, with significant increases over time in BMI and CC in the women, whereas PA decreased significantly over time in both men and women (P < .0001). BMI and CC were positively associated with HGS in the men (P = .02, P < .0001) and women (P < .0001), while CC was positively associated with walk speed in men only (P = .006) in the cross-sectional analysis of 2015 measurements. CONCLUSION: BMI and CC in both men and women were positively associated with HGS, but CC was associated with walk speed in the men only. Our study suggests that CC may be a useful predictor of physical performance in black men and to a limited extent in black wome

Assessment of anaemia and iron status of school age children (aged 7-12 years) in rural communities of Abia state, Nigeria

The objective of this study was to investigate iron status of school children aged 7-12 years in some rural communities in Nigeria as well as identify factors associated with anemia in the children. A total of 249 school children, 120 males and 129 females aged between 7-12 years were used in the study. Haemomoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (PCV) and serum ferritin were used to determine anaemia and iron status in 208 children. The subjects were also screened for malaria parasites and worm infection to determine their impact on anaemia. C-reactive protein (CRP) was used as an indicator of inflammation or infection. Socioeconomic, anthropometric and body composition information were collected from the children, while dietary iron intake was determined using a combination of 24 hour dietary recall, food frequency questionnaire and weighed inventory technique. The values obtained for energy and nutrient intakes were compared with RDA recommendations. Anaemia was defined as Hb < 11.0mg/dl and iron deficiency was defined as serum ferritin levels below 12ug/dl. Correlation coefficient was used to evaluate association between anaemia and nutritional as well as health factors. The results showed that the prevalence of anaemia was 82.6%, while iron deficiency was 77.8%. The average daily iron intake was 30% below the recommended allowance. There was a high prevalence of inflammatory disorders as indicated by CRP. Malaria parasite and worm infestations were high in the children (93.2% and 41.8%, respectively). Anaemia was significantly associated with helminth infestation, malaria parasite and CRP. The children had a mean weight and height below the recommended standards. Of all the children in the study (n=249), 77% were both stunted and underweight while 56% were wasted. The body composition values of normal children (body fat, triceps, subscapula skinfold thicknesses and abdominal circumference) were significantly higher than those of the malnourished children (