scholarly journals Feeding the New Zealand Family of Five Million, 5+ a Day of Vegetables?

Earth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 797-808
Author(s):  
Fiona Curran-Cournane ◽  
Elaine Rush
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Land Area ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Dietary Guideline ◽  
Domestic Use ◽  
Dark Green

New Zealand (NZ), a food-producing, geographically isolated nation has set a domestic dietary guideline of 5 servings a day/person of vegetables. The question “does New Zealand produce enough servings and diversity of vegetables to meet dietary recommendations of 5 diverse servings/day?” was explored. Publicly available data for weight of vegetables produced and hectares of land used in relation to five vegetable diversity groups of white roots-and-tubers, vitamin-A-vegetables, other vegetables, dark-green-leafy vegetables, and legumes were examined. Overall, the equivalent of 11.7 servings of vegetables/day/NZperson was produced. Potatoes, onions, carrots, and squash were produced in the largest quantities (total 7.7 servings/day/NZperson) but most onions, squash, and some potatoes were exported (2.5 servings/day/NZperson). There was inadequate production of legumes, 0.6 servings/day/NZ person (peas and beans) and dark-green-leafy vegetables, 0.03 servings/day/NZ person (silverbeet and spinach). Only 0.2% of the total land area of NZ is used for growing vegetables. Expansion of the area used for vegetables should be considered in the context of sustainable production and irreversible pressures confronting the unique land and soils the land use requires, as well as current environmental impacts of intensive conventional outdoor vegetable production. An environmentally sustainable and diverse supply of vegetables for domestic use needs to be strategically and actively protected.

scholarly journals Telephone-Delivered Dietary Intervention in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: 3-Months Post-Intervention Findings of a Randomised Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Tang ◽  
Paul Mitchell ◽  
George Burlutsky ◽  
Gerald Liew ◽  
Victoria M. Flood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dark Green

Abstract Background: There is an evidence-practice gap between the dietary recommendations for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) presented in the literature and those practiced by patients. This study reports on the 3-months post-intervention results of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating telephone-delivered dietary counselling aiming to improve dietary behaviors among patients with AMD.Methods: 155 AMD patients (57% female, aged 78 ± 8 years; control: 78, intervention: 77), primarily residing in New South Wales, Australia were recruited into the RCT at baseline. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire and short dietary questionnaire for age-related macular degeneration (SDQ-AMD). The intervention included an evidence-based nutrition resource and four monthly calls with a dietitian in addition to usual care; the control arm only received usual care. Immediately post-intervention, participants in the intervention arm were invited to repeat the SDQ-AMD and complete a feedback form. At 3-months post-intervention, all participants were invited to repeat the SDQ-AMD. Statistical analyses included t-tests and McNemar’s test to determine change in dietary intakes and proportion of participants meeting the dietary recommendations, respectively; level of significance for all statistical analyses was p <0.05. Descriptive statistics were used to describe adherence to and acceptability of the intervention.Results: At 3-months post-intervention compared to baseline, there were significant improvements within the intervention arm including increased intakes (mean serves ± SE) of dark green leafy vegetables (0.99 ± 0.17 vs 1.71 ± 0.22; p = 0.003) and legumes (0.69 ± 0.10 vs 1.12 ± 0.16; p = 0.02), and reduced intakes of specified discretionary foods (8.31 ± 0.76 vs 6.54 ± 0.58, p = 0.01). Between study arms, intakes of nuts were significantly higher in the intervention arm (control: 2.71 ± 0.32 vs intervention: 3.96 ± 0.51; p = 0.04) at 3-months post-intervention. Overall feedback about the intervention was positive, with all completers (n = 74) finding the program worthwhile and 98.7% (n = 73) indicating they would recommend it to others. Conclusion: This novel intervention was well-received and significantly improved the dietary intakes of dark green leafy vegetables, legumes and discretionary foods within the intervention arm.Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; ACTRN12618000527268; registered 10 April 2018.

scholarly journals Determinants and Suitability of Carotenoid Reflection Score as a Measure of Carotenoid Status

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Rush ◽  
Isaac Amoah ◽  
Tung Diep ◽  
Shabnam Jalili-Moghaddam
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Carotenoid Concentration ◽  
Dairy Foods ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Negative Health Outcomes

Carotenoids, orange-coloured pigments found in vegetables, fruit, eggs and dairy foods, act as antioxidants and vitamin A precursors in the human body. Skin carotenoid concentration is a biomarker of vegetable and fruit intake. The aim was to identify determinants of skin carotenoid concentration by measuring “Veggie Meter™” carotenoid reflection spectroscopy scores (CRS) from the fingertip of adults with a range of ages, ethnicity and body size. Frequencies of daily intake of vegetables and fruit and weekly intake of pumpkin and carrot, dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV), eggs (yolk), and dairy were determined from a self-completed food-frequency-questionnaire. A total of 571 (324 Women, 247 Men) adults, aged 16 to 85 years, completed measurements. The CRS ranged from 83 to 769, with a median of 327. Women and men did not score differently. For all participants there were negative correlations of CRS with weight (r = −0.312) and BMI (r = −0.338) and positive correlations with weekly intakes of DGLV (r = 0.242) and carrots and pumpkin (r = 0.202). Based on a review of health outcomes associated with plasma carotenoids, 82% of the participants in the current study are at moderate risk, or more, of negative health outcomes. Determinants of carotenoid status were body size, intake of DGLV, carrots and pumpkin, and ethnicity.

scholarly journals Dietary Diversity in Cambodian Garment Workers: The Role of Free Lunch Provision

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Makurat ◽  
Eleonore Kretz ◽  
Frank Wieringa ◽  
Chhoun Chamnan ◽  
Michael Krawinkel
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Garment Workers ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Randomised Controlled

The objective of this paper is to compare food consumption by Cambodian garment workers with and without access to a free model lunch provision through a factory-based canteen. Data from an exploratory randomised controlled trial were analysed. In total, 223 female Cambodian garment workers were allocated to an intervention arm (six-month lunch provision) or a control arm. Dietary intake on workdays was assessed by qualitative 24-h recalls at baseline and twice at follow-ups during the period of lunch provision using the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) guideline on assessing women’s dietary diversity. In total, 158 participants provided complete data on the dietary intake over workdays at all interviews. Lunch provision resulted in a more frequent consumption of dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV), vitamin A-rich fruits, other fruits, and oils and fats during lunch breaks. In contrast, flesh meats, legumes, nuts and seeds, as well as sweets, were eaten at a lower frequency. Except for a higher consumption rate of vitamin A-rich fruits and a lower intake frequency of sweets, lunch provision had a less clear impact on total 24-h intake from different food groups and was not associated with a higher women’s dietary diversity score (WDDS). A more gap-oriented design of the lunch sets taking into account underutilised foods and the nutritional status of the workers is recommended.

scholarly journals Considerations for the design of nutrition-sensitive production programmes in rural South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Hendriks ◽  
A. Viljoen ◽  
D. Marais ◽  
F. A. M. Wenhold ◽  
A. M. McIntyre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Home Consumption

Abstract Background Very little has been researched about the efficacy, effectiveness, feasibility, sustainability and impact of food-based approaches on the diets and nutritional status of populations at risk of hunger and food insecurity. This study contributes knowledge about the impact of food-based approaches on the diets of populations at risk of hunger and food insecurity in four of the poorest rural communities in South Africa. The study investigated the consumption and production patterns of rural households (278 in summer and 280 in winter) in four sites in the poorest municipalities in South Africa. Methods A multistage stratified random sampling technique was applied to identify the communities and sample households for the quantitative survey and qualitative assessments. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected between 2013 and 2015 through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews and the two-round panel survey to cover both the summer and winter seasons at each site. Results Home gardening led to a significant positive increase in the consumption of white roots and tubers, dark green leafy vegetables, orange-coloured fruit and other fruit in the 24 h prior to the survey. Participation in a community garden led to significant increases in the consumption of dark green leafy vegetables and other vegetables. School gardening did not demonstrate any statistical relationships with the consumption of foods from the crop-related food groups. Crop production improved dietary diversity. Selling produce and irrigation showed a stronger improvement in dietary diversity. Seasonality affected the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables for home consumption in winter. Conclusions Producing beyond that solely for home consumption has greater benefits for dietary diversity and a consumption-smoothing effect during the post-harvest period. Politicians and the scientific community should recognise the role that household and small-scale crop production plays in supporting household consumption and the provision of essential micronutrients despite constraints and disincentives. Production and education programmes should focus on strengthening existing good consumption patterns and promoting the consumption of foods that can improve dietary diversity.

scholarly journals Lack of improvement in vitamin A status with increased consumption of dark-green leafy vegetables

The Lancet ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 346 (8967) ◽  
pp. 75-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
S de Pee ◽  
C.E West ◽  
J.G.A.J Hautvast ◽  
Muhilal ◽  
D Karyadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Dark Green

scholarly journals Nutritional Compositions of Selected Green Leafy Vegetables in Oyo State, Nigeria

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
S. A. Okewole ◽  
L. O. Oyekunle ◽  
O. O. Akande ◽  
T. T. Adebisi ◽  
T. P. Olubode
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Proximate Analysis ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Amaranthus Hybridus ◽  
Healthy Life ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Moisture Contents ◽  
Celosia Argentea

The nutritional compositions of selected green leafy vegetables obtained from major towns in Oyo State, Nigeria, (March and April) were determined using standard analytical methods for proximate analysis. The following nutrients in percentage were determined; moisture contents, ash, fat, crude fibre and crude protein. The green leafy vegetable used are Talium triangulare, Amaranthus hybridus, Launaena taraxacifolia Ocimum gratissimum, Celosia argentea, Cucuribita maxima, Abelimoschus esculentus, Solanum macrocarpon, Vernonia  amygdalina  and Sesamum indicum. All nutrients were present in appreciable quantities. Moisture contents ranged from 5.33 ± 0.06% - 8.33 ± 0.06%, ash (23.07 ± 0.06% - 61.27 ± 0.06%), fat (1.13 ± 0.06% - 3.37 ± 0.06%), crude fibre (2.43 ± 0.12% - 22.03 ± 0.06%), and crude protein (18.50 ± 0.10% - 55.23 ± 0.06%). The functional properties of vegetables were close in term of high protein level indicating that they are more nutritious. Also, the level of their ash content showed that the vegetables are very rich in essential minerals for healthy life when compared with one another and recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Thus, there is a need for farmers in the area to engage in dry season vegetable production so as to ensure availability of leafy vegetables throughout the year.

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