World Nutrition

Introduction to the second issue of World Nutrition for 2024

Ted Greiner — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0600

1st International Conference on Sustainable Health and Nutrition During the Life Cycle, 19-21 March 2024: an introduction

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 07:00:40 -0600

The 1st Conference on Sustainable Health and Nutrition during the Life Cycle, held at Rio de Janeiro State University, was a great success, aiming to democratise knowledge and foster networking within the field. The conference featured diverse presentations, including keynote sessions highlighting critical issues such as childhood obesity prevention and the links between agroecology and nutrition. Discussions underscored the need for interventions targeting healthy-weight children and promoting sustainable food practices rooted in cultural heritage.

The event embraced sustainability by adopting a paperless approach and incorporating community action initiatives promoting food sovereignty and security. The launch of a book on non-conventional edible plants further emphasised the importance of sustainable food systems.

The coffee break sessions showcasing products from local farmers and nutritional education led by undergraduate students fostered active engagement with the audience. The success of this inaugural conference signals a promising future for international collaboration in sustainable health and nutrition.

In conclusion, the conference provided a vital platform for dialogue, community engagement, and knowledge exchange, setting a high standard for future events in the field.

Conference on Sustainable Health and Nutrition During the Life Cycle: Poster Presentations

Amanda Rodrigues Amorim Adegboye — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0600

The 1st International Conference on Sustainable Health and Nutrition during the Life Cycle, hosted by Rio de Janeiro State University in March 2024, convened diverse attendees from various disciplines. The conference aimed to democratize knowledge on sustainable health and nutrition while fostering networking opportunities. Abstract submissions came from students, healthcare professionals, educators, and researchers, leading to a rigorous selection process for oral and poster presentations.

Embracing sustainability, the conference adopted a paperless approach with digital poster presentations. Keynote sessions addressed pressing issues like childhood obesity prevention and the intricate links between agroecology and nutrition. Discussions highlighted community action initiatives, including Afro-ancestral perspectives on healthy eating and the promotion of urban gardens. The launch of a book on non-conventional edible plants underscored the importance of food sovereignty and security.

Engaging coffee breaks showcased products from family farming, featuring nutritional and gastronomic education activities. The conference's success paves the way for future events, signaling a strong likelihood of future editions. Overall, it provided a vital platform for dialogue, community building, and inclusivity in sustainable health and nutrition, setting a high standard for future endeavors.

diverse attendees from various disciplines, the conference aimed to democratize knowledge on sustainable health and nutrition while fostering networking opportunities. Abstract submissions came from students, healthcare professionals, educators, and researchers, leading to a rigorous selection process for oral and poster presentations.

Engaging coffee breaks showcased products from family farming, featuring nutritional and gastronomic education activities. The conference's success paves the way for future events, signalling a strong likelihood of future editions. Overall, it provided a vital platform for dialogue, community building, and inclusivity in sustainable health and nutrition, setting a high standard for future endeavours.

Conference on Sustainable Health and Nutrition During the Life Cycle: Keynote Sessions and Oral Presentations

Amanda Rodrigues Amorim Adegboye — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0600

The 1st International Conference on Sustainable Health and Nutrition during the Life Cycle, hosted by Rio de Janeiro State University, convened diverse attendees from various disciplines in March 2024. The conference aimed to democratise knowledge on sustainable health and nutrition while fostering networking opportunities. Abstract submissions came from students, healthcare professionals, educators, and researchers, leading to a rigorous selection process for oral and poster presentations.

Engaging coffee breaks showcased products from family farming, featuring nutritional and gastronomic education activities. The conference's success paves the way for future events, signalling a strong likelihood of future editions. Overall, it provided a vital platform for dialogue, community building, and inclusivity in sustainable health and nutrition, setting a high standard for future endeavours.

Evaluation of the Improved Feeding Practices for the First 1000 Days Project in Ghana

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Background
Sub-optimal nutrition during the first 1000 days of life can impair the physical and
cognitive development of children, as well as limit their health and wellbeing. The
improved feeding practices for the first 1,000 days (IFP) project aimed to improve the
dietary practices of women of reproductive age (pregnant and lactating) and children below
ages two years in three selected districts (Kassena-Nankana West [KNW], Sekyere East[SE],
and Kintampo South[KS]) in Ghana. This integrated project combined interventions on
micronutrient powder (MNP) distribution, social behaviour-change communication, and
nutrition-sensitive agriculture to catalyse enhanced awareness and consumption of
nutrient-rich foods in selected communities.
Objective
This paper evaluates the IFP project based on measures associated with relevance,
effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.
Methods
Using a mixed-methods design, data from in-depth interviews of project beneficiaries, and
key community-based actors involved in the project’s implementation were triangulated
with routine project monitoring data, and documentation to answer the evaluation
questions. The evaluation questions and our analyses were guided by the Development
Assistance Committee evaluation criteria. Interviews with key stakeholders were
conducted in June 2023. Key project data were compared between baseline and endline
assessments to ascertain the extent to which the project met its intended objectives and
targets.
Results
The project demonstrated high relevance of the proposed project among the target groups;
for example, nearly half the children were eating low quality, non-diverse diets (49% in
KNW, 46% in KS and 35 in SE). The project enabled almost 14,000 children to be reached
with MNP. While 96,000 eggs were produced, <10% was consumed at home. About 35,000
kilograms of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) were produced, resulting in improved
access to the nutrient-rich foods produced. Nutrition messages were disseminated widely
and were reported to have contributed to improved awareness of nutrition among
caregivers. Data-based and reported evidence both indicated there was improved child
dietary diversity between baseline and endline of the project; in KNW, 90% of children met
minimum dietary diversity at endline compared to 75% at baseline. In KS and SE, the
endline estimates of dietary diversity were 71% and 70%, up from 65% in both districts at
baseline, respectively. Multiple strategies aiming to support project sustainability that
were built into the project design were implemented. Additional sustainability strategies
evolved during the project’s lifetime, including crossbreeding of project chickens with
hardier local breeds, continued multiplication of OFSP vines, and transfer of Village
Savings and Loans Association funds accumulated from MNP sale to Village-Based
Entrepreneurs to sustain MNP supply.
Conclusions
IFP project delivered interventions successfully, leading to improved awareness and
practices related to diets of women in reproductive age and young children, in project
communities. These strategies can be extended to women and children living in similar
settings to improve the diet quality of women and children.

Anaemia prevention among pregnant women: Views and experiences of pregnant women and antenatal care providers in Accra, Ghana

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Background and Objective
Anaemia among pregnant women is a public health challenge in Ghana. Although there is
a national programme of routine iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation, coverage is
suboptimal. The current study explored experiences and perceptions of anaemia
prevention, and IFA use among pregnant women and antenatal care providers at two
hospitals in Accra, Ghana, for enhancing the supplementation programme.
Methods
Utilizing a qualitative approach, 6 focus group discussions with 48 purposively selected
pregnant women, and 10 in-depth interviews with care providers in two hospitals were
conducted. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Using both deductive and inductive
approaches, priori themes that informed the design of the interview guides, and emerging
codes from transcripts were used in data analysis.
Results
In both hospitals, pregnant women reported awareness of anaemia and identified poor
quality diets and failure to take IFA as the predominant causes. Regular IFA
supplementation, and consumption of fruits, vegetables, and animal-source foods were
indicated as the main anaemia remedies by the pregnant women. Turkey berry, beetroot,
and hibiscus flower were also reported as therapeutic remedies for anaemia. IFA use was
linked with improved appetite, haemoglobin, and health status of mothers and their fetus.
Both providers and pregnant women indicated that IFA is freely accessible through
government facilities but may also be purchased. IFA supplements are recommended to be
taken daily but three times for treatment; however, non-adherence to the recommended
frequency was reported. This was attributed to adverse reactions including nausea and
vomiting, unanticipated cost of increased appetite, forgetfulness to take IFA,
misperceptions about adverse effects of IFA, transportation cost to access IFA, and long
waiting time at hospitals. Community-level focused antenatal care, follow-up visits, and
phone calls were reported by providers as strategies to improve IFA uptake. Community
sensitization, enhanced access to IFA, and participatory approach to ANC services were
suggested by pregnant women as strategies for improving IFA uptake.
Conclusions
Food insecurity and misperceptions about IFA should be addressed as part of efforts to
address low IFA adherence and high maternal and child anaemia rates in Ghana.

Vegetable consumption and diet diversity among households with and without vegetable gardens in Quezon city, Philippines

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Background
Dietary diversity is key in determining the quality of a person’s diet by including the
consumption of several food groups. Vegetable gardening is a holistic approach to
producing nutritious food and reducing food insecurity. Higher vegetable consumption is
closely associated with better diet quality and dietary diversity score.
Objective
This study aims to analyze the vegetable consumption and diet diversity of households
with vegetable gardens and households without vegetable gardens.
Methods
The study used a quantitative method and a descriptive and inferential research design.
Given the specific profile of respondents, purposive sampling was employed. However,
quotas per profile were set. The data were collected using quantitative tools such as guided
questionnaires and a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire.
Results
The majority of the gardeners were female, ages 54 to 64, mainly living in the Barangay UP
campus, with high school as their highest educational attainment. The non-gardeners
were Vegetable gardeners who earned less than ₱20,000 compared to the non-gardeners
who earned. Vegetable gardeners were likelier to meet the recommended vegetable
consumption and had a higher Dietary Diversity Score.
Conclusions
The respondents who met the recommended vegetable intake of three to five servings were
mostly vegetable gardeners. Thus, vegetable gardening aids in increasing the vegetable
consumption of households because of the accessibility they have to nutritious foods
compared to households that do not practice home gardening.

Region, Location, and Age-Specific Comparison of Nutritional Status of In-School Adolescent Girls (10-19 years) in Nigeria

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of adolescent girls using anthropometric indices.

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study of 2261 in-school adolescent girls aged 10 -19 was conducted. A multistage stratified random sampling procedure was used to select participants from three geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Two states selected from each zone; North Central (Kogi and Niger States), South East (Abia and Imo States) and South West (Osun and Ondo States). Body Mass Index-for-age, Waist-Hip-Ratio (WHR), and Waist-Height-Ratio were calculated by anthropometry of weight, height, hip, waist and Mid-Upper Arm Circumferences. Data were analysed on SPSS Version 24. Frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviations were used for descriptive while logistic regression and chi-square analyses were used for inferential statistics. Significance was taken at p<0.05.

Results: Mean age was 14.86 years (± 1.78 years) and actual body weight was 47.81 kg (± 9.02 kg), which is lower than the ideal weight of 54.52 kg (± 9.05 kg). The negative variance of -6.71 kg shows that the girls weighed 6.71 (±9.73) kg less than their ideal weight. Overweight/Obesity/Risk of Abdominal Obesity was highest in South East region (p = .005) while underweight/undernourishment was highest in South West (p = .005). However, no significant difference was recorded between the urban and peri-urban populations (p = .005). Older girls; 14 -16yrs (OR = 2.311, 95%CI = 1.263 – 4.229) and 17 -19yrs (OR = 2.182, 95%CI = 1.253 – 3.799) were twice more likely to be Overweight/Obesity compared to 10 -13yrs. Those who were within the 14 -16yrs age range were thrice more likely to have higher WHR (OR = 3.043 95%CI = 2.334 -3.978) than those younger.

Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the nutritional status of adolescent girls across regions and age ranges hence a need for regional nutrition-sensitive intervention programmes among adolescent girls.

Keywords: High School Girls; Health Status; Body Stature; Body Measurement; Nigeria Region

Evaluation of chapattis fortified-diet with raw and fermented carrot powder in persons with type 2 diabetes: A randomized control pilot study

Asad Abbas, Saeed Akhtar, Tariq Ismail, Hassan Raza, Stanley I.R. Okoduwa — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Background
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is common and growing rapidly. It is characterised by high blood sugar levels and related complications to vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, and eyes. The most common kind of diabetes affecting people globally is type 2 diabetes (T2D). An increasing number of people are looking at natural foods and dietary supplements to manage their T2D.
Objective
The aim of this pilot study was to assess the glycemic index, glycemic response, sensory qualities, nutritional composition, and possible antidiabetic benefits of chapattis fortified with raw and fermented carrot powder.
Methods
Seven preparations of chapattis were prepared into three variants from whole wheat flour chapattis (WWFC) as control group, raw carrot-supplemented chapattis (RCSC) with subtypes T1, T2, and T3, and fermented carrot-supplemented chapattis (FCSC) with subtypes T4, T5, and T6. The variants were provided to 11 professionally trained sensory panelists for organoleptic evaluation. The chapattis subtype with the best organoleptic properties together with the WWFC were then given randomly to a group of 30 persons with T2D respectively to see how their blood sugar levels were affected over a period of 4 weeks.
Results The panelist adjudged RCSC (T2) and FCSC (T5) as the best organoleptically. The randomised control investigation demonstrated that the fasting blood glucose levels for WWFC, RCSC, and FCSC decreased (P<0.05) significantly by 6.42%, 7.24%, and 12.75%, respectively. However, there was no significant different in the fasting blood sugar between the WWFC and RCSC. As for the glycemic load values of WWC, RCSC, and FCSC, which were 21, 14, and 13, respectively, there was no statistically significant difference between RCSC and FCSC, suggesting that both types of chapattis could help T2D patients regulate their blood sugar levels. The most significant changes were consistently shown by the FCSC: 17.50% reduction in random blood sugar (p = 0.03), 21.85% reduction in serum low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.051), 16.67% increase in serum HDL (p = 0.01), 11.09% decrease in serum cholesterol (p = 0.02), and 12.575% reduction in serum triglycerides (p = 0.048).
Conclusions
A beneficial dietary intervention for people with T2D may involve mixing fermented carrot powder into regular chapattis. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence in favour of using natural food-based treatments for the management of diabetes.

The association and interactions of malnutrition, micronutrients, and drug therapy in the management of tuberculosis

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Tuberculosis is an infectious lung disease that is the leading cause of death worldwide. Globally, over 3,500 people lose their lives to tuberculosis each day – totalling 1.3 million deaths each year. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the acid-fast bacteria that causes tuberculosis. Fever, coughing, exhaustion, and weight loss are among the symptoms that patients with tuberculosis display. Tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person by inhaling airborne droplets. Immune compromised individuals are at high risk for developing tuberculosis. Direct microscopy of sputum smears and solid media cultures are used as tuberculosis diagnostic techniques. The global effort to combat tuberculosis has so far saved an estimated 75 million lives since 2000. The present review focuses on the association between malnutrition and tuberculosis, micronutrient status, and drugs used in tuberculosis therapy. The greatest risk factor for TB is malnutrition, which weakens immunity by lowering the cells' ability to fight off infections. Many micronutrients are useful in controlling tuberculosis and boosting the host's immunity. These include copper, zinc, selenium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and vitamin E. Furthermore, the longevity of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) depends on their micronutrient status. Several medications, such as isoniazid, ethambutol, rifabutin, levofloxacin, amikacin, streptomycin, and capreomycin, are used to treat tuberculosis for a certain period of time. Anti-tuberculosis medications can cause vitamin B6 deficiency, arthralgias, gastrointestinal issues, hepatotoxic effects, and allergic reactions as adverse effects. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed to end the global tuberculosis epidemic by 2023 but more work remains to be done.