Inappetenz und Gewichtsverlust sind bei Patienten, die an gastrointestinalen Tumoren erkrankt sind, häufige Symptome. Kenntnisse über Lebensmittelpräferenzen und Ernährungsgewohnheiten bei diesen Patienten sind wichtig für die Betreuung und diätetische Therapie dieser Tumorpatienten. Bei 100 Patienten, die an gastrointestinalen Tumoren (TP) erkrankt waren, untersuchten wir Ernährungsgewohnheiten, Verzehrhäufigkeiten und Lebensmittelpräferenzen mit Hilfe eines Fragebogens. Zusätzlich wurde zur Bestimmung der Körperzusammensetzung Größe, Gewicht, Body Maß Index (BMI), per Anthropometrie Armmuskelmasse (AMA) und Armfettmasse (AFA) und per Bioeletrischer Impedanzanalyse Impedanz Z, Resistanz R, Reaktanz Xc, Phasenwinkel phi und Körperzellmasse (BCM) ermittelt. Die erhobenen Daten wurden mit den Angaben einer gesunden Kontrollgruppe (KG) verglichen. Im Vergleich zur KG wurden Veränderungen zu Gunsten einer leicht verdaulichen Kost, z.B. häufiger Verzehr von Kartoffelpüree, Grießbrei und Tee bzw. Ablehnung von Schmalz, Hülsenfrüchten, Vollkornprodukten, alkoholische oder kohlensäurehaltige Getränke, angegeben. Eine Präferenz eines Lebensmittels durch TP konnte nicht ermittelt werden. TP, die eine Chemotherapie zum Zeitpunkt der Datenerhebung erhielten, bevorzugten kalorienreiche und geschmacksintensive Lebensmittel wie Sahne, Brühe, Salzgebäck und Schokolade. AFA und BCM waren in der TP Gruppe deutlich reduziert, obwohl Gewicht und BMI in TP und KG ähnlich waren. In der Betreuung von TP sollte auf Geschmacksveränderungen geachtet werden, um rechtzeitig eine reduzierte Nahrungsaufnahme zu erkennen. Untersuchungen, inwieweit Veränderungen des Geschmackssinns durch Tumorerkrankung oder Chemotherapie beeinflußt werden, stehen noch aus. / Low appetite and weight loss are frequent symptoms in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies (TP). Knowledge about food preferences and nutritional habits of TP are important for the care and treatment of these patients. Nutritional habits, food frequencies and food preferences of 100 patients with gastrointestinal malignancies were analyzed using a questionnaire. To characterize patient’s body composition body size, body weight, body mass index (BMI), arm-muscle-mass (AMA) and arm-fat-mass (AFA) was measured anthropometrically and impedance Z, resistance R, reactance Xc, phase angel phi and body cell mass (BCM) by bioelectrical impedance analysis was determined. All these data were compared to a healthy controlgroup in the same age. Compared to the controlgroup TP ate an easy digestive diet like smashed potatoes, semolina pudding and tea more frequent and avoided lard, legumes, whole-mead products, alcoholic and carbonated drinks. No food preference could be found. TP undergoing cytostatical treatment during the study preferred high caloric and intensive tasting food like cream, broth, salty pastry and chocolate. In TP AFA and BCM were clearly reduced, but no difference in body weight and BMI was detected. Tumorpatients should care for changes in their taste, to detect early symptoms of reduced food intake. Investigations of the influence of cytostatical treatments on taste sensitivity are still needed. Early symptoms of malnutrition can be found using anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis.

As leishmanioses são protozooses de alta prevalência em regiões tropicais como o Brasil, transmitidas por vetores flebotomíneos, cujos reservatórios são compostos por diferentes espécies animais. No vetor, os parasitos assumem uma forma flagelada indistinguível entre as espécies e outros tripanossomatídeos. A doença apresenta amplo espectro pela existência de varias espécies de leishmânias e por diferenças na susceptibilidade individual dos hospedeiros. Tanto para o prognóstico individual como também nas investigações epidemiológicas, levando-se em conta futuras medidas de controle desta doença, a identificação espécie especifica é de crucial importância. Um fator importante na rede causal é a determinação da preferência alimentar dos vetores, permitindo assim a intervenção adequada no controle da doença e de seus reservatórios. Atualmente, técnicas moleculares como a PCR, permitem diagnosticar a infecção, identificar a espécie infectante no vetor e seus hospedeiros,assim como o hábito alimentar dos flebotomíneos. Observou-se um aumento significativo de notificações de leishmaniose tegumentar e visceral no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, sendo que até o presente momento, pouco se conhece a respeito de sua etiologia. Neste sentido, em colaboração com pesquisadores do Mato Grosso do Sul e por meio da técnica de PCR, temos como objetivo: determinar a infecção natural dos flebotomíneos capturados em campo; identificar as espécies de leishmânias provenientes de amostras humanas e caninas e isoladas em hamster; padronizar reação que determine a fonte alimentar de flebotomíneos; em Campo Grande e Bela Vista. Para a identificação de leishmânia, foi utilizada como alvo seqüências de mini exon e nos casos positivos para subgênero Viannia utilizou-se a técnica de RFLP. Para identificação de fonte alimentar foi utilizado como alvo regiões conservadas do gene citocromo b. Na capital Campo Grande, a captura foi realizada no período de 2003 a 2005. Entre os anos de 2003 - 2004 a taxa mínima de infecção (TM) foi de 1,6%, sendo identificado L.(V.) braziliensis, já para o período de 2004 - 2005 a TM foi de 0,38%, para L.(L.) amazonensis, cuja maioria das espécies pertencia à Lu. longipalpis. Cinco amostras humanas provenientes de Campo Grande e outros municípios e isolados em hamster foram identificadas como L.(V.) braziliensis. No município de Bela Vista, no período entre 2004-2006, a maioria das espécies capturadas pertencia à espécie Bi. flaviscutelata. Destes, foi possível identificar TM de 0,6% de L. (L.) amazonensis e taxa de 0,24% para outros tripanossomatídeos. De um total de 10 amostras de cães isoladas em hamsters, 2 foram identificadas como L.(L.) amazonensis. A PCR para identificação de fonte alimentar foi capaz de identificar sangue de humano, galinha, camundongo, cavalo, gambá, capivara, porco, cachorro doméstico e cachorro do mato. Para validação da técnica, foram utilizados flebotomíneos capturados em Campo Grande (MS). Verificou-se que 68% dos insetos capturados alimentaram-se em galinha. Acreditamos que os resultados advindos deste projeto possam contribuir no desenho de futuras medidas de controle desta doença no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. / Leishmaniases protozooses have a high incidence in tropical regions such as Brazil and they are transmitted by sand fly vectors, their reservoirs consisting of different animal species. Flagellate forms in the vector are indistinguishable among the leishmania species as well as among other trypanosomatides. The disease presents a large spectrum due to the several leishmania species and also to different individual susceptibilities of hosts. Both for the individual prognosis as well as for epidemiological investigations in the future control measures of the disease the specific species identification is of crucial importance. An important factor in the causal net of the disease is knowledge of the vectors food source preferences, thus allowing an adequate intervention to control the spreading of the disease as well as of the reservoirs. Nowadays molecular techniques such as PCR allow an infection diagnosis, identification of the parasite infection in the vectors and hosts as well as the sand flies feeding habits. A significant increase of tegument and visceral leishmaniasis notifications was detected in Mato Grosso do Sul State (MS) and so far little is known about their etiology. In collaboration with Mato Grosso do Sul researchers we aim at the following goals, applying PCR techniques: determine the natural infections of field captured sand flies; identify leishmania species originating from human and canine isolates in hamsters; standardize the reaction to determine feeding source from sand flies captured in Campo Grande and Bela Vista. For leishmania species identification mini-exon sequences were used as target and in cases positive for Viannia subgenus the RFLP was applied. For food source identification citochrome b gene conserved regions were used as targets. Captures in Campo Grande were performed between 2003 to 2005. Between the years 2003 -2004 the minimum infection rate (MR) of 1.6% was found for L.(V.) braziliensis, while for the period 2004-2005 MR for L.(L.) amazonensis was 0.38% and the majority of sandfly species were identified as Lu. longipalpis. Five human isolates from Campo Grande and other municipalities were identified as L.(V.) braziliensis. The majority of specimens captured in Bela Vista municipality between 2004-2006 were Bi. flaviscutelata. From these a MR of 0.6% were identified as L .(L.) amazonensis and 0.24% for other Kinetoplastidia species. From a total of 10 canine isolates 2 were identified as L.(L.) amazonensis. Standardization of PCR for food source identification was capable to distinguish the origin of several blood sources: human, chicken, mouse, horse, opossum, capybara, pig, domestic and bush dogs. Sandflies captured in Campo Grande (MS) were used to validate the technique. A percentage of 68% from these captures had fed on chicken. We believe that results shown in this project may contribute to the design of future control measures of this disease in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul.

As leishmanioses são protozooses de alta prevalência em regiões tropicais como o Brasil, transmitidas por vetores flebotomíneos, cujos reservatórios são compostos por diferentes espécies animais. No vetor, os parasitos assumem uma forma flagelada indistinguível entre as espécies e outros tripanossomatídeos. A doença apresenta amplo espectro pela existência de varias espécies de leishmânias e por diferenças na susceptibilidade individual dos hospedeiros. Tanto para o prognóstico individual como também nas investigações epidemiológicas, levando-se em conta futuras medidas de controle desta doença, a identificação espécie especifica é de crucial importância. Um fator importante na rede causal é a determinação da preferência alimentar dos vetores, permitindo assim a intervenção adequada no controle da doença e de seus reservatórios. Atualmente, técnicas moleculares como a PCR, permitem diagnosticar a infecção, identificar a espécie infectante no vetor e seus hospedeiros,assim como o hábito alimentar dos flebotomíneos. Observou-se um aumento significativo de notificações de leishmaniose tegumentar e visceral no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, sendo que até o presente momento, pouco se conhece a respeito de sua etiologia. Neste sentido, em colaboração com pesquisadores do Mato Grosso do Sul e por meio da técnica de PCR, temos como objetivo: determinar a infecção natural dos flebotomíneos capturados em campo; identificar as espécies de leishmânias provenientes de amostras humanas e caninas e isoladas em hamster; padronizar reação que determine a fonte alimentar de flebotomíneos; em Campo Grande e Bela Vista. Para a identificação de leishmânia, foi utilizada como alvo seqüências de mini exon e nos casos positivos para subgênero Viannia utilizou-se a técnica de RFLP. Para identificação de fonte alimentar foi utilizado como alvo regiões conservadas do gene citocromo b. Na capital Campo Grande, a captura foi realizada no período de 2003 a 2005. Entre os anos de 2003 - 2004 a taxa mínima de infecção (TM) foi de 1,6%, sendo identificado L.(V.) braziliensis, já para o período de 2004 - 2005 a TM foi de 0,38%, para L.(L.) amazonensis, cuja maioria das espécies pertencia à Lu. longipalpis. Cinco amostras humanas provenientes de Campo Grande e outros municípios e isolados em hamster foram identificadas como L.(V.) braziliensis. No município de Bela Vista, no período entre 2004-2006, a maioria das espécies capturadas pertencia à espécie Bi. flaviscutelata. Destes, foi possível identificar TM de 0,6% de L. (L.) amazonensis e taxa de 0,24% para outros tripanossomatídeos. De um total de 10 amostras de cães isoladas em hamsters, 2 foram identificadas como L.(L.) amazonensis. A PCR para identificação de fonte alimentar foi capaz de identificar sangue de humano, galinha, camundongo, cavalo, gambá, capivara, porco, cachorro doméstico e cachorro do mato. Para validação da técnica, foram utilizados flebotomíneos capturados em Campo Grande (MS). Verificou-se que 68% dos insetos capturados alimentaram-se em galinha. Acreditamos que os resultados advindos deste projeto possam contribuir no desenho de futuras medidas de controle desta doença no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. / Leishmaniases protozooses have a high incidence in tropical regions such as Brazil and they are transmitted by sand fly vectors, their reservoirs consisting of different animal species. Flagellate forms in the vector are indistinguishable among the leishmania species as well as among other trypanosomatides. The disease presents a large spectrum due to the several leishmania species and also to different individual susceptibilities of hosts. Both for the individual prognosis as well as for epidemiological investigations in the future control measures of the disease the specific species identification is of crucial importance. An important factor in the causal net of the disease is knowledge of the vectors food source preferences, thus allowing an adequate intervention to control the spreading of the disease as well as of the reservoirs. Nowadays molecular techniques such as PCR allow an infection diagnosis, identification of the parasite infection in the vectors and hosts as well as the sand flies feeding habits. A significant increase of tegument and visceral leishmaniasis notifications was detected in Mato Grosso do Sul State (MS) and so far little is known about their etiology. In collaboration with Mato Grosso do Sul researchers we aim at the following goals, applying PCR techniques: determine the natural infections of field captured sand flies; identify leishmania species originating from human and canine isolates in hamsters; standardize the reaction to determine feeding source from sand flies captured in Campo Grande and Bela Vista. For leishmania species identification mini-exon sequences were used as target and in cases positive for Viannia subgenus the RFLP was applied. For food source identification citochrome b gene conserved regions were used as targets. Captures in Campo Grande were performed between 2003 to 2005. Between the years 2003 -2004 the minimum infection rate (MR) of 1.6% was found for L.(V.) braziliensis, while for the period 2004-2005 MR for L.(L.) amazonensis was 0.38% and the majority of sandfly species were identified as Lu. longipalpis. Five human isolates from Campo Grande and other municipalities were identified as L.(V.) braziliensis. The majority of specimens captured in Bela Vista municipality between 2004-2006 were Bi. flaviscutelata. From these a MR of 0.6% were identified as L .(L.) amazonensis and 0.24% for other Kinetoplastidia species. From a total of 10 canine isolates 2 were identified as L.(L.) amazonensis. Standardization of PCR for food source identification was capable to distinguish the origin of several blood sources: human, chicken, mouse, horse, opossum, capybara, pig, domestic and bush dogs. Sandflies captured in Campo Grande (MS) were used to validate the technique. A percentage of 68% from these captures had fed on chicken. We believe that results shown in this project may contribute to the design of future control measures of this disease in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul.

MENVSC / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / Certain communities in Sekhukhune area are known to be practicing geophagia. Existing standard questionnaires as adopted to generate data on human geophagia included aspects on demography, socio-economics, cultural, ecological, physico-chemical aspects, indigenous knowledge and health effects of geophagic consumers. These data were gathered through distribution of questionnaires to 200 geophagic participants, of which 135 were from Ga-Nchabeleng Village and 65 from Mphanama Village. Both the Villages were based in the rural settlements in Sekhukhune area. In this study the behaviour of geophagic individuals was investigated and cytotoxicity of plant remains consumed in geophagic soils was evaluated for any toxicity. A total of 17 different geophagic sites were identified. Six geophagic sites each were from Ga-Nchabeleng Village and six from Mphanama Village. Five other sites were selected from sites where geophagia was not practiced and were recorded as the control sites. All the 17 soil samples were analysed using Munsell Soil Color charts for soil colour classification. Samples of plant remains were collected from the same geophagic sites where soil samples were collected. Due to similar plants and vegetation type from 17 different geophagic sites, a composite study was adopted. Geophagic consumers in Ga-Nchabeleng Village identified four plant species of plant remains consumed in the soil in the area and Mphanama village identified five species different from Ga-Nchabeleng plants. Samples of plant remains were grouped according to comparable features or characteristics. Sample 1 of plant remains was composed mainly of grasses; Cynodon dactylon, Aristida congesta and Eragrostis rigidior whereas sample 2 of plant remains was composed of Acacia plant; Vachellia tortilis. The two samples of plant remains were collected from Ga-Nchabeleng Village. Sample 3 of plant remains was composed of creeping, perennial weed herbs; Alternanthera pungens Kunth and Alternanthera lorentzii. Sample 4 of plant remains was composed of prominent woody plants; Combretum apiculutum, Kirkia wilmsii and Boscia albitrunca. Samples of plant remains 3 and 4 were collected from Mphanama Village study sites. Sample 5 of plant remains was the control site and composed mainly of Acacia plants; Vachellia nilotica, Acacia vii mearnsii and Vachellia tortilis and were collected from sites not used for geophagic practices. The plant remains parts mostly consumed were roots (50%) in Ga-Nchabeleng, whereas in Mphanama Village they were stems (54.5%) and the control site had leaves at 62.5%. The five samples of plant remains were recovered using physical separation method. The plant remains were washed and dried. Retch Muhle grinding machine was used to ground the samples. Methanol was used in the extraction of all the samples of plant remains. The result from the administration of the questionnaire revealed that geophagia in this area was practiced by both male and female Sepedi-speaking individuals. Ga-Nchabeleng Village had more female geophagic participants, whereas Mphanama Village had more males who have almost undergone secondary school. However, in general for the study there were more female geophagic consumers. Geophagic consumers ingest soil known locally as Mobu, Letsopa or Leraga collected mostly from the riverbanks, mountains/hills and valleys with only a few that indicated termite mounds. Geophagic consumers in the study used colour, among other things, to describe their soil of preference. The study consisted of 200 participants of whom 172 represented the geophagic group and 28 were the control group, aged between 18-65 years analysed using chi-square crosstabulation. There was no significant difference in human health effects associated with geophagia between the geophagic group and the control group. There was also no association established between soil consumption and other non-food substances between geophagic group and control group. Chi-square (χ2) analyses revealed a significant association of gender with geophagic habits (p<0.05), while there was no association of age, educational level, income source and marital status (p>0.05) with geophagic habits. Findings of the survey when two villages are combined revealed that more females (75.60%) practice geophagia compared to males (24.40%). The respondents from both study sites preferred digging technique when collecting the soil. It was established that craving was mainly the reason behind the practice in the study area. Hygiene and environmental conditions were not considered when mining viii geophagic soil as the majority of them used dirty utensils, hands for collection and non-sterile bags and tins for packaging. Some of the soils were collected close to waste dumping sites as seen whilst visiting geophagic mining sites. Majority of the consumers had little or no knowledge that the soil could be harmful or if it contained any contaminants. This sample of interviewees provided valuable information on human geophagic practices in Sekhukhune area. It became clear that this practice was entrenched in the cultural behaviour of people in the area and a need for educating them on health related aspects. The cytotoxicity of methanolic extracts of plant remains on HEK-293T cell line was evaluated using MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay for cell viability. The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) was defined as the compound’s concentration (500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.625 and 7.8125 μg/ml) required for the reduction of cell viability by 50%. Evaluation of cell viability showed the methanolic extracts of plant remains on HEK-293T cell line ranged in the order of plant remains extract=3>1>4>2>5 according to their cytotoxicity activities. Plant remains extract 3 from Mphanama Village showed high cytotoxicity with a CC50 of 13.75 μg/ml, followed by plant remains extract 1 at 16.68 μg/ml, plant remains extract 4 at 58.95 μg/ml, plant remains extract 2 at 92.75 μg/ml and the control at 251.4 μg/ml, respectively. In the study only the methanolic extract was investigated for cytotoxicity using HEK-293T cell line. Further research need to be conducted on the individual plants of each plant remains to be able to have conclusive results on the cytotoxicity profile. This will indicate which specific plant part is toxic or whether they exhibit a higher CC50 only when in combination.

MESHWR / Department of Hydrology and Water Resources / Communities in South Africa have been noted to consume earthy materials such a soil among others. Geophagy is largely practised in the rural areas as opposed to urban places, and in these places the level of sanitation is low and people usual practice open defecation. The practice of Geophagia has been associated with cultural, medicinal, psychological, religious and nutritional deficiency among others. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of open defecation on geophagic soils and water resources in Siloam village. The study also aimed to understand the reasons why people practice geophagia in Siloam village and the health effect associated with consumption of geophagic soils. To carry out the aim of the study, a questionnaire survey was conducted among women who practice geophagia between the ages of 18 and above in Siloam village. Two hundred and eighty-three (283) women were selected using snowball sampling method to take part in the study. From the (283) women, (200) women represent the geophagic group and (83) women represent the control group. The existing standard questionnaire adopted to generate data on human geophagia included aspects on demography, socio-economic, cultural, ecological, physicochemical aspects, indigenous knowledge and health effects of geophagic consumers. Participants were asked basic questions on why they practice geophagy, their geophagic material preferences, where they collect the geophagic material and other related questions. A total of twelve soil samples were collected from Siloam village, from the twelve soil samples collected eight were collected from sites known for geophagic practice and another four soil samples were collected from sites where geophagia is not practiced and the samples were used as control soil samples. All the twelve soil samples were analysed for the presence of geohelminths ova using Ammonium Bicarbonate Protocol (AMBIC protocol). The AMBIC protocol consists of four analytical procedures, namely, sample preparation, sample washing with AMBIC solution, geohelminths ova recovery through a modified zinc flotation method and microscopic analysis. vi Furthermore, a total of twelve water samples were collected from Nzhelele River and ponds water in Siloam village. From the twelve water samples, eight samples were collected close to where geophagic materials were collected and where open defecation is reported to be taking place and the remaining four water samples were collected randomly from Nzhelele river and water ponds in Siloam village and was recorded as a control group. A total of 12 water samples were analysed for total coliform and faecal coliform Escherichia Coli (E.coli) indicator using the membrane filter technique. The results from the administration of the questionnaire revealed there was prevalence in the practice of geophagia in the area. The study found that most of the villagers in Siloam consumed soil nearly on daily basis. According to the results, only women were involved in the geophagic practices in the area. Additionally, the study revealed that geophagic consumers were mainly in the age of child bearing age group and reddish and yellowish soils were the most preferred. Furthermore, the results showed that geophagic consumers in the area generally consumed soil commonly because of cravings and pregnancy, however, those who were not pregnant also consumed soil. The respondents reported that they mostly consumed clay and this material was consumed in its dry state and mostly unprocessed, if processed, it would be baked. This geophagic material was mainly found in the wild (riverbed, valley etc.); it was also found that most of the soil consumers did not know that the substances they consumed could be harmful to them. Among those who knew the consequences of consuming the material stated that soil consumption causes constipation, tooth decay, body poisoning, and abdominal pains. The results from the control group, 83 women who do not practice geophagia, aged between 18 and above, analysed using chi-square revealed a significant association of age with consuming soils (p<0.05), while there was no association of income source (p>0.05) and educational level (p>0.05) with consuming soils. Chi-square (χ2) analyses further revealed that there was no association of knowledge on the harmful nature of the substance (p>0.05), frequency of getting infections (p>0.05) and experiencing chronic illnesses (p>0.05) with frequency of consuming soils. vii The results of geophagic soils revealed the absence of geohelminths ova in the entire geophagic sample. Meaning geophagic consumers in Siloam village are not at risk of acquiring geohelminths infection which may be of potential risk to human health. However, geophagic consumers may be exposed to various other potentially hazardous biological and non-biological soil contents. The results of the water samples revealed that most of the water samples in the areas where open defection is reported to be practised had higher composition of faecal and total coliform bacteria. The composition was above the South African recommended standard for negligible risk of microbial infection. This has caused a great threat to those who consume soil collected near water resources, especially from riverbed and those who also use these water sources on their daily basis. The study recommends that geophagic consumers should continue to bake their materials before consumption as it might reduce the bacteria and toxic substances found in soils. The study also recommends that the residents of Siloam be made aware of the potential health hazards that might be posed to soil consumers and the effects of practicing open defecation near community water resources as high level of faecal coliform (E. coli) were found in the water. / NRF

A high rate of micronutrient deficiencies persists in Africa with the most vulnerable groups being women and children. The Moringa oleifera tree has been identified to help alleviate malnutrition at household level because of its rich content of vitamin A in its plant form - beta-carotene, iron and vitamin C. The objectives of this study was to identify households that consumed Moringa, to identify households that required diet diversification through the use of a Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and to determine the acceptability of various dishes prepared from Moringa leaves as a possible contribution to the alleviation of malnutrition in resource poor communities. The dietary diversity score of the traditional Bapedi community is 4.7 and the results of the acceptability test of dishes prepared with Moringa indicated that Moringa could be recommended as an additional food ingredient to add micronutrient to the diet of Bapedi communities. / Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / M.A. (Human Ecology)

A high rate of micronutrient deficiencies persists in Africa with the most vulnerable groups being women and children. The Moringa oleifera tree has been identified to help alleviate malnutrition at household level because of its rich content of vitamin A in its plant form - beta-carotene, iron and vitamin C. The objectives of this study was to identify households that consumed Moringa, to identify households that required diet diversification through the use of a Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and to determine the acceptability of various dishes prepared from Moringa leaves as a possible contribution to the alleviation of malnutrition in resource poor communities. The dietary diversity score of the traditional Bapedi community is 4.7 and the results of the acceptability test of dishes prepared with Moringa indicated that Moringa could be recommended as an additional food ingredient to add micronutrient to the diet of Bapedi communities. / Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / M.A. (Human Ecology)

Life and Consumer Sciences / M.A. (Consumer Science)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The study was conducted to examine the communication between the customer and the cashier at the point of purchase in the process of determining the impact of the labeling laws. This study used an inductive qualitative design for data collection and data analysis. Data from this study suggest that calorie counts on menu labels are discussed frequently between the customer and the cashier at the point of sale at fast-casual restaurants. The data found gives us a framework and rationale as to why previous research on the effectiveness of the calorie labeling law in the Affordable Care Act have yet to make a significant impact in reducing consumer’s total daily caloric intake when eating food away from the home and found three specific reasons as to why the calorie labeling law may not be working the way the government intended it to. First, consumers at fast-casual restaurants rely on the cashiers as calorie guides because they are not aware or knowledgeable about the recommended daily caloric intake and often underestimate the total calories in their meals. Secondly, the study’s findings indicate that when restaurants offer lower calorie choices and downsizing options like a “small pita” at Pita Pit instead of a “regular pita”, many consumers buy the downsized item or smaller portion but food chains are not downsizing their signature items. Third, the study examined if the cashiers are trained in any way to discuss new regulations and calorie count/nutritional value and not one cashier was trained specifically about the calorie labeling law and why certain foods on the menu have more calories than others even though they are influencing decision making. Conversations at the point of sale have been routinely ignored in research about the calorie labeling law and this research helps to understand the choices consumers are making with the newly implemented calorie labeling regulation. The results from this study helps us further advance our understanding as to why consumers make the food choices they do while eating at restaurants.