scholarly journals A large-scale intervention to introduce orange sweet potato in rural Mozambique increases vitamin A intakes among children and women

2011 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Hotz ◽  
Cornelia Loechl ◽  
Alan de Brauw ◽  
Patrick Eozenou ◽  
Daniel Gilligan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Training Model ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Effectiveness Study ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Production And Consumption

β-Carotene-rich orange sweet potato (OSP) has been shown to improve vitamin A status of infants and young children in controlled efficacy trials and in a small-scale effectiveness study with intensive exposure to project inputs. However, the potential of this important food crop to reduce the risk of vitamin A deficiency in deficient populations will depend on the ability to distribute OSP vines and promote its household production and consumption on a large scale. In rural Mozambique, we conducted a randomised, controlled effectiveness study of a large-scale intervention to promote household-level OSP production and consumption using integrated agricultural, demand creation/behaviour change and marketing components. The following two intervention models were compared: a low-intensity (1 year) and a high-intensity (nearly 3 years) training model. The primary nutrition outcomes were OSP and vitamin A intakes by children 6–35 months and 3–5·5 years of age, and women. The intervention resulted in significant net increases in OSP intakes (model 1: 46, 48 and 97 g/d) and vitamin A intakes (model 1: 263, 254 and 492 μg retinol activity equivalents/d) among the younger children, older children and women, respectively. OSP accounted for 47–60 % of all sweet potato consumed and, among reference children, provided 80 % of total vitamin A intakes. A similar magnitude of impact was observed for both models, suggesting that group-level trainings in nutrition and agriculture could be limited to the first project year without compromising impact. Introduction of OSP to rural, sweet potato-producing communities in Mozambique is an effective way to improve vitamin A intakes.

scholarly journals Linking child travel routes and routine health data

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Mizen ◽  
Sarah Rodgers ◽  
Richard Fry ◽  
Ronan Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Data Linkage ◽  
Routine Data ◽  
Environmental Exposures ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Complete Analysis ◽  
Natural Experiments ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Household Level

ABSTRACTObjectivesLinking routinely collected health and environment data can allow for large scale evaluations of how our environment impacts our health. Our data linkage approach advances previous research where residence-based environmental exposures were anonymously linked in the SAIL databank using Residential Anonymous Linking Fields (RALFs). The dose-response relationship between exposure to food and dietary intake has not been widely investigated. Previous research found conflicting views on whether increased environmental exposure to unhealthy food contributes to higher BMIs. This may have been due to different methodological approaches, including imprecise exposures, small numbers, and the use of self-reported BMIs. ApproachThis investigation calculated food exposure environments for routes from all homes to and from school. A Geographic Information System was used to calculate the environmental exposures along all potential routes up to a maximum age-appropriate walking distance from each school. Once within the SAIL databank we selected relevant routes using linked demographic and pupil datasets. To maintain privacy, the primary (doctoral) researcher generating the environmental exposures, did not have access to the final household-level exposure data in their identifiable form. The researcher automated their method so a second researcher could run the GIS analysis. Accuracy of modelled exposures will be compared with actual routes collected from GPS traces of children walking to school. ResultsRemoving access to the final identifiable household-level route exposures enabled the primary researcher to complete analysis on the combined household and individual-level data within the secure environment. The environmental exposures were linked with routine health data from the SAIL databank; including BMI as an indicator of obesity. BMI data for 4-5 year olds, and a sample of 1300 13-14 year olds were linked to associated environmental exposures. ConclusionDepending on modelled accuracy, a GIS and data linkage approach may allow the investigation of natural experiments and intervention evaluation at the scale of the total population. This is the first step towards anonymously modelling part of the daily exposure environment using routine data. A limitation is the lack of routinely collected BMI data for older children and teenagers an age when they are more likely to have the option to choose to buy food on the school route. This work will have many potential applications, including the delivery and evaluation of multiple school and workplace commuting interventions.

scholarly journals Nutritional enhancement of Ghanaian weaning foods using the orange flesh sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas)

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (65) ◽  
pp. 9236-9256
Author(s):  
EA Bonsi ◽  
◽  
WA Plahar ◽  
R Zabawa ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Consumer Acceptability ◽  
Weaning Food ◽  
Nutrient Density ◽  
Weaning Foods ◽  
Maize Meal ◽  
Β Carotene

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a public health problem in Ghana. Research on the orange flesh sweet potato root has been given prominence because of its high β - carotene content as a means to enhance the nutritive value and vitamin A content of the traditional diets of Ghanaian children as a long -term intervention towards combating VAD. Two Ghanaian cereal -legume weaning foods: roasted maize- soy blend and fermented maize -soy blend were added to Orange Flesh Sweet potato (O FS) flour from the variety, Beauregard, to develop four weaning food formulations . To each product formulation preparation, 25% and 50% OFS flour was added to the basic cereal - legume meals , and mixed thoroughly. The four weaning formulations were evaluated for chemical composition, sensory characteristics and consumer acceptability. All samples had a range of protein (12.1% - 15%), fat (4.8% - 6.4%), carbohydrate (71.1% – 75.1%), energy (380 - 390 kcal/100g) and minerals (calcium, iron and phosphorus) to ensure good nutrient density, while the moisture content was low (5.3% - 6.1%) for storage stability. The contribution of β -carotene ( 55.18 –115.55 ug/g) by the OFS in the formulations further enhanced the nutritive value of all the blends and is enough to meet the daily β -carotene needs of the children ( 1-6 yrs of 400 -450ug/100g). A higher level of β -carotene was seen in the roasted maize meal weaning foods which make s them a better potential blend for combating VAD. Also, sensory evaluation of the products indicated the highest consumer acceptability score (87%) for the roasted maize meal porridge formulation containing 25% OFS . It is, therefore , concluded that OFS flour has the potential to be used at 25% replacement level in the soy- fortified roasted maize meal formulation, and OFS is a useful ingredient with the potential to improve the β -carotene or vitamin A content of such formulations . This will help alleviate vitamin A deficiency of children in Ghana and other countries with similar problems . It is , therefore, recommended that the orange flesh sweet potato flour be used by mothers as an entry point for enhancing the traditional weaning food preparations .

scholarly journals Improving the Dietary Vitamin A Content of Rural Communities in South Africa by Replacing Non-Biofortified White Maize and Sweet Potato with Biofortified Maize and Sweet Potato in Traditional Dishes

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurencia Govender ◽  
Kirthee Pillay ◽  
Muthulisi Siwela ◽  
Albert Thembinkosi Modi ◽  
Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Isoleucine Leucine ◽  
Lower Protein

Biofortification of staple crops has a potential for addressing micronutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin A deficiency (VAD), which are prevalent in South Africa. The poor acceptability of provitamin A (PVA)-biofortified foods could be improved by combining them with other food items to produce modified traditional dishes. The nutritional composition of the dishes could also be improved by the modification. The study aimed to investigate the effect of replacing white maize and cream-fleshed sweet potato (CFSP)] with PVA-biofortified maize and orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) on the nutritional composition of South African traditional dishes. The protein, fibre, total mineral (ash), lysine, and iron concentrations of the PVA maize phutu (traditional porridge) composite dishes (control), were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those of white maize phutu composite dishes. However, the PVA concentration of PVA maize phutu composite dishes was higher than that of the white phutu composite dishes (P > 0.05). The OFSP had a significantly lower protein concentration, but a significantly higher (P > 0.05) fibre, ash, lysine, isoleucine, leucine, and PVA concentration, relative to the CFSP. The findings indicate that composite dishes in which white maize is replaced with PVA-biofortified maize, and switching over from CFSP to OFSP, would contribute to combating VAD in South Africa, and in other developing counties.

scholarly journals A household-level sweet potato-based infant food to complement vitamin A supplementation initiatives

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis K. Amagloh ◽  
Allan Hardacre ◽  
Anthony N. Mutukumira ◽  
Janet L. Weber ◽  
Louise Brough ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Infant Food ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
Household Level

Driving Forces of Landscape Change at the Upriver of Minjiang, China

2011 ◽  
Vol 219-220 ◽  
pp. 532-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Hua Zhao ◽  
Xiao Feng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Change ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Technology Policy ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Good Method ◽  
Human Dimensions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Planned Parenthood ◽  
Household Level ◽  
The Great Leap Forward

Research into landscape change was one of two major fields of interdisciplinary research into the human dimensions of environmental change, the other being the approach of socio-economic metabolism; the causes of which were complicated and comprehensive. Based on the household level interview, analyzing the causes of change by the multifactor was a good method. We applied the household level interview data to analyze the causes of landscape cover change at the upper reach of Minjiang, China. The causes of landscape change at the upper reach of Minjiang included agriculture, wood, infrastructure, economy, technology, policy & institution, demography and culture variables, etc. The results showed that the primary causes of landscape change at the upper reach of Minjiang were the correlative country policies (such as the Great Leap Forward, the Deforestation, the Institutional Revolution, the Planned Parenthood, the Open-up, the Natural Forest Conservation Program) and triggered event (such as the three years’ natural disaster) at the large scale, however, at the small scale such as at the village level, the principal cause of which was different, and there were the interplay among different factors. So we thought that the landscape cover change was the result of multifactor interplay at the upper reach of Minjiang, China.

scholarly journals Factors to consider in Micronesian food-based interventions: a case study of preventing vitamin A deficiency

2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Englberger ◽  
GC Marks ◽  
MH Fitzgerald
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Content Consumption ◽  
Staple Foods ◽  
Locally Grown

AbstractBackground:Many factors need to be considered in a food-based intervention. Vitamin A deficiency and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, have become serious problems in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) following the decreased production and consumption of locally grown foods. However, agricultural and social conditions are still favourable for local food production.Aim:To identify key factors to consider in a Micronesian food-based intervention focusing on increased production and consumption of four major Micronesian staple foods: banana, breadfruit, giant swamp taro and pandanus.Methods:Ethnographic methods including key informant interviews and a literature review.Results:Pacific and Micronesian values, concepts of food and disease, and food classifications differ sharply from Western concepts. There are few FSM professionals with nutrition expertise. Traditional foods and food cultivars vary in nutrient content, consumption level, cost, availability, status, convenience in growing, storing and cooking, and organoleptic factors.Conclusions:A systematic consideration of the factors that relate to a food-based intervention is critical to its success. The evaluation of which food and cultivar of that food that might be most effectively promoted is also critical. Regional differences, for example FSM inter-island differences between the staple foods and cultivars, must be considered carefully. The evaluation framework presented here may be relevant to Pacific Island and other countries with similar foods where food-based interventions are being planned. An ethnographic approach was found to be essential in understanding the cultural context and in data collection and analysis.

scholarly journals Diallel Analysis of Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] Genotypes for Combined Beta Carotene and Dry Matter Content in Southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
M. S. Afolabi ◽  
O. B. Bello ◽  
G. O. Agbowuro ◽  
C. O. Aremu ◽  
M. O. Akoroda
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Ipomoea Batatas ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Quality Trait ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Β Carotene

Roots of orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties currently available in Nigeria contain high quantities of β-carotene or pro-vitamin A but have high moisture content. These varieties have been found to be a cheap and crucially important remedy for vitamin A deficiency. The cream or white-fleshed varieties, on the other hand, have a sweet taste with high dry matter content, giving a dry texture, a quality trait preferred in Nigeria. Development of sweet potato genotypes that can combine these two important quality traits is the objective of this breeding work. A diallel experiment using six parental sweet potato genotypes crossed in all possible combinations were carried out and thirty progenies were evaluated for beta carotene (β-carotene) and dry matter content in Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria. The 30 F1 progenies along with their parental lines were planted in the same field trial. The trial was laid out in 6 x 6 triple lattice in two replications. Highly significant (P≤ 0.01) differences were observed among the genotypes for the traits. The average β-carotene content among the progenies was 2.86 (mg/100g.f.w) while the dry matter cttgontent had a mean value of 31.89%. The cross progenies 199024.2 x Excel had the highest beta carotene (14.37mg/100g.f.w) content with the highest dry matter content (40.10%) and are therefore recommended for further evaluation.

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