scholarly journals The contribution of African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) to vitamin A intake and the influence of income in rural Kenya.

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
SO Oiye ◽  
KM Shiundu ◽  
RK Oniang’o
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Rural Kenya ◽  
African Leafy Vegetables

scholarly journals Effect of African leafy vegetables on the micronutrient status of mildly deficient farm-school children in South Africa: a randomized controlled study

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 935-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinka van der Hoeven ◽  
Mieke Faber ◽  
Jennifer Osei ◽  
Annamarie Kruger ◽  
Cornelius M Smuts
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Serum Ferritin ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
School Meal ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Serum Zn

AbstractObjectiveA randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of African leafy vegetable (ALV) consumption on Fe, Zn and vitamin A status in children.DesignChildren were randomly allocated to receive either a 300 g cooked ALV dish and school meal starch (n86) or the normal school meal (n81) five times per week for three months. ALV in the dish consisted mainly ofAmaranthus cruentus(at least 80 %) and the remainder ofCleome gynandra,Cucurbita maximaorVigna unguiculata. Nutrient content and consumer acceptance of the ALV dish were also determined.SettingNorth West Province, South Africa.SubjectsGrade R to grade 4 children (6–12 years old) of two farm schools.ResultsThe ALV dish contributed 11·6–15·8 mg Fe and 1·4–3·7 mg Zn. At baseline, prevalence of deficiencies in the intervention group was 16·0 %, 16·3 %, 7·0 % and 75·6 %, respectively, for anaemia (Hb<11·5 g/dl), Fe (serum ferritin<15 µg/l), vitamin A (serum retinol<20 μg/dl) and Zn (serum Zn<65 μg/dl); and in the control group 10·5 %, 18·5 %, 2·5 % and 75·3 %, respectively. No significant estimated intervention effect was found.ConclusionsThis randomized controlled trial showed that ALV were unable to improve serum retinol, serum ferritin or Hb if there are only mild deficiencies present. Furthermore, despite the low Zn status in the study population, ALV consumption did not improve serum Zn concentrations either.

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 Income Level but Not Nutrition Knowledge Is Associated with Dietary Diversity of Rural Pregnant Women from Northern Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Amoako Agyei ◽  
Stephen Kofi Afrifa ◽  
Adam Munkaila ◽  
Patience Kanyiri Gaa ◽  
Eugene Dogkotenge Kuugbee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Rural District ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Essential Nutrients

Essential nutrients are necessary for reducing the risk of maternal mortality, prenatal mortality, and low-birthweight infants. Dietary diversity can play an important role in supplying essential nutrients to both the mother and the foetus. We evaluated nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and dietary diversity of pregnant women. In addition, we investigated the sociodemographic determinants of dietary diversity among pregnant women from a rural district in Ghana. Participants were pregnant women receiving antenatal care from a rural district hospital in Ghana. Dietary diversity was measured using a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of dietary diversity. About 85% of the pregnant women knew that they should eat more in comparison to nonpregnant women, and only 16.9% knew the importance of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. Mean (SD) dietary diversity score of the participants was 5.27 (1.35), 85.4% did not consume any fruits, and 82.3% did not take milk and milk products. Almost all participants took at least one food item in the starchy staples and green leafy vegetables food groups. Moreover, 53% consumed vitamin A-rich fruits, vegetables, and tubers; 7.7% organ meats; and 30.8% eggs. Those who earned a monthly income of ≥GHC 500 or US$ 87 (B = 1.82; 0.90–2.73; p < 0.001 ) significantly had higher dietary diversity scores compared to those who earned less. Dietary diversity of the pregnant women was suboptimal. The consumption of vitamin A- and iron-rich foods was inadequate. Income was an important determinant of the dietary diversity of pregnant women from Northern rural Ghana.

scholarly journals Productivity of Selected African Leafy Vegetables under Varying Water Regimes

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 916
Author(s):  
Innocent Maseko ◽  
Bhekumthetho Ncube ◽  
Samson Tesfay ◽  
Melake Fessehazion ◽  
Albert Thembinkosi Modi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Chlorophyll Content ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Leaf Number ◽  
Water Regimes ◽  
Content Index ◽  
African Leafy Vegetables

African leafy vegetables (ALVs) are nutrient dense and can contribute to crop and dietary diversity, especially in water-stressed environments. However, research on their productivity under limited water availability remains scant. The objective of the study was to evaluate growth, physiology and yield responses of three ALVs (Vigna unguiculata, Corchorus. Olitorius and Amaranthus cruentus) and a reference vegetable (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) to varying water regimes [30%, 60% and 100% of crop water requirement (ETc)]. Field trials using a randomised complete block design, replicated three times, were conducted over two summer seasons, 2015/16 and 2016/17. Leaf number, plant height, chlorophyll content index (CCI), chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), and yield were measured in situ. For A. cruentus and C. olitorius, water stress (30% ETc) was shown to produce a lower yield, although leaf number, plant height and chlorophyll content index were unaffected, while for B. vulgaris, leaf number and yield were reduced by water stress. For V. unguiculata, CF, CCI, plant height, leaf number, and yield were not affected by water stress, indicating its suitability for production in water scarce environments. Using 60% ETc was suitable for the production of A. cruentus, C. olitorius and B. vulgaris var. cicla, whereas 30% ETc is recommended for V. unguiculata. The yield results of V. unguiculata indicate that it performs better, while the yield of A. cruentus and C. olitorius is comparable to that of B. vulgaris under similar conditions, indicating potential for marginal production.

scholarly journals Interrelations Between School-Based Services, Dietary Intake and Micronutrient Deficiencies Among School-Going Children and Adolescents Aged 5–19 Years in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1786-1786
Author(s):  
Mansi Chopra ◽  
Anwesha Lahiri ◽  
Priyanshu Rastogi ◽  
Arti Bhanot ◽  
Anjani Bakshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
School Meals ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
School Based

Abstract Objectives India is home to 119 million children (CH; 5–9 y) and 253 million adolescents (AD; 10–19 y), a majority of whom suffer from multiple micronutrient deficiencies (MND). Given high school enrolment levels in India (90% of CH and 75% of AD) schools are a good platform for services and behavior change interventions targeted toward this age group. We sought to analyze the prevalence and predictors of MND in school going CH and AD in India. Methods Data from India's Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey 2016–18 were analyzed separately for CH aged 5–9 y (n = 10,640), AD aged 10–14 y (n = 5390) and AD aged 15–19 y (n = 3693). Serum/plasma concentrations of ferritin, retinol, B12, erythrocyte folate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, zinc and C-reactive protein were measured. We assessed the weighted prevalence of each MND using established WHO cutoffs, after adjusting ferritin and retinol for inflammation. Primary predictors of MND were dietary intake and access to school services. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between these factors and each MND, controlling for socio-demography (sex, residence, wealth quintile, ethnicity, parental education, siblings) and hygiene-sanitation services. Results The top three micronutrient deficiencies were folate (29%), vitamin A (22%), vitamin D (19%) among CH and folate (38%), zinc and B12 (31% each) in AD. One or more MND affected 69% of CH and 83% of AD. In CH, deworming was associated with reduced odds of folate deficiency (AOR and 95% CI: 0.80, 0.68–0.94) and health camps were associated with vitamin A deficiency (0.68, 0.51–0.91). In AD 10–14y, receipt of free school meals had lower odds of B12 deficiency (0.66, 0.49–0.88). In AD 15–19y, health camps were inversely associated with vitamin D deficiency (0.69, 0.51–0.95). CH and AD who consumed green leafy vegetables, pulses and fruits daily had reduced odds of iron, folate or vitamin D deficiencies (AORs: 0.58–0.81). Consumption of fish, chicken or meat (≥2 times/week) was associated with lower odds of almost all MND in CH (AORs: 0.39–0.75), and of iron and B12 deficiencies in AD (AORs: 0.42–0.66). Conclusions Most CH and AD in India suffer from multiple MND. Improving diet quality through school meals and strengthening school-based health services may contribute to MND reductions in this population. Funding Sources UNICEF, POSHAN.

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