Traditional food is fundamental for the cultural identity, mental and spiritual well-being, and physical and nutritional health of First Nations in Canada. Rapid environment changes including environmental contamination and degradation, climate change, urbanization and industry growth reduce the availability and diversity of traditional foods. This is concomitant with changing lifestyle and an increased prevalence of malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The goal of this thesis is to investigate the roles of traditional fish consumption for First Nations’ health in the complex interplays between environmental contaminant exposure, climate change, and food and nutrition security. Data collected from the First Nations Food Nutrition and Environment Study were used. The thesis is comprised of seven chapters presented in three sections. Section 1 addressed the importance of traditional fish consumption for food and nutritional security among First Nations in Canada. With increased income-related food insecurity, First Nations rely more on traditional foods including fish and participate more in fishing and other traditional practices. Nevertheless, many factors such as climate change, governmental restrictions, hydro and forestry operations continue to reduce the availability of traditional fish and access to traditional food sources, land and waterways. Section 2 explored the associations between locally-harvested fish consumption, long chain omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) intake and dietary exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POP) with type 2 diabetes in First Nations in Canada. Dietary POP exposure was positively associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes whereas fish consumption (n-3 FA) showed protective dose-response associations. Furthermore, we found that relatively high POP exposure from fish may outweigh the protective associations of fish on type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the balance of risks and benefits associated with fish consumption is highly dependent on the regional POP concentrations in fish. Section 3 entailed studies on the nutritional benefits of seafood consumption and modelling potential impacts of the climate-related decline in seafood abundance on the nutritional quality of adult diets and cardiovascular health among coastal First Nations in British Columbia. We estimated that projected climate change may reduce the intakes of essential nutrients by 21%– 31% by 2050 relative to 2000. Moreover, hypothetical substitution of seafood with alternative non-traditional foods would not provide adequate amounts of nutrients. Reduced fish consumption and consequent n-3 FAs intake may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in First Nations. Our findings provide important information for communities, fishery governance, local resource managers and public health professionals to promote traditional food systems, nutritional health, food security, and food sovereignty in Canadian First Nations.

EVANGELISTA, Monalisa Eva Santos. Variáveis nutricionais e nictemerais em cordeiros Santa Inês castrados e não castrados submetidos à restrição alimentar. 2015. 35 f. Dissertação (mestrado em zootecnia)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2015. / Submitted by Elineudson Ribeiro (elineudsonr@gmail.com) on 2016-04-05T19:49:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_mesevangelista.pdf: 725574 bytes, checksum: 12e6b3616de1a7f80c356331c51708c5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-05-24T22:54:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_mesevangelista.pdf: 725574 bytes, checksum: 12e6b3616de1a7f80c356331c51708c5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-24T22:54:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_mesevangelista.pdf: 725574 bytes, checksum: 12e6b3616de1a7f80c356331c51708c5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of food restriction and sexual group on intake, digestibility of nutrients: dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), mineral matter (MM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), total carbohydrates (TC), total digestible nutrients (TDN) and diel behavior patterns intake of Santa Ines lambs. A total of 30 sheep was used, with average initial weight of 13.00 ± 1.49 kg in a completely randomized design in factorial 3x2, with three levels of restriction (ad libitum, 30 and 60%) and two sexual groups (castrated and uncastrated). The animals were fed on experimental diet composed of a forage:concentrate ratio of 60:40, with Tifton-85 hay (Cynodon spp.) as roughage. There was no sexual group effect or interaction between sexual group and food restriction levels for all variables analysed (P>0.05). The consumption of all nutrients were influenced by food restriction levels (P<0.05), decreasing according to the increase in restriction levels. Conversely, nutrient digestibility coefficients increased proportionally with food restriction levels (P<0.05). The feeding behavior variables were influenced by food restriction (P<0.05). Variations in feed time (hour/day), rumination efficiency (g DM/hour) and (g NDF/hour), ruminating time (hour/day) and total chewing time (hour/day) decreased with rising levels of food restriction (P<0.05). For the „Feed efficiency‟ variable (g DM/hour) and (g NDF/hour), food restriction led to an increase in efficiency of the restricted animals (P<0.05). Similarly, the increase in levels of food restriction promoted greater time spent in idleness restriction of animals (P<0.05). The variable number of ruminal bolus (No./day) and ruminating chewing number reduced with food restriction (P<0.05). However, chewing ruminating time increased with the restriction (P<0.05). As conclusion, food restriction promotes a reduction in nutrient intake and increased digestibility of the diet, thus providing increased efficiency in the absorption of nutrients in animals undergoing the level of 60% food restriction. The feeding behavior patterns are also altered by dietary restriction, especially the food expenditures times, ruminating and idleness and ruminating chewing patterns. / Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar o efeito da restrição alimentar e da classe sexual sobre o consumo, digestibilidade dos nutrientes: matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), matéria mineral (MM), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), carboidratos totais (CHOT), carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e os padrões nictemerais do comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Santa Inês. Foram utilizados 30 ovinos com peso médio inicial de 13,00 ± 1,49 kg, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3x2, com três níveis de restrição (ad libitum, 30 e 60%) e duas classes sexuais (castrados e não castrados). Os animais foram alimentados com dieta experimental em relação volumoso:concentrado de 60:40, sendo o feno de capim-Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) utilizado como volumoso. Não houve efeito de classe sexual ou interação entre classe sexual e nível de restrição alimentar para todas as variáveis analisadas (P>0,05). O consumo de todos os nutrientes foi influenciado pelos níveis de restrição alimentar (P<0,05), decrescendo de acordo com o aumento nos níveis de restrição. Inversamente, os coeficientes de digestibilidade dos nutrientes aumentaram proporcionalmente aos níveis de restrição alimentar (P<0,05). As variáveis de comportamento ingestivo foram influenciadas pela restrição alimentar (P<0,05). As variáveis tempo de alimentação (h/dia), eficiência de ruminação (g MS/h) e (g FDN/h), tempo de ruminação (h/dia) e tempo de mastigação total (h/dia) decresceram com o aumento nos níveis de restrição alimentar (P<0,05). Já para a eficiência de alimentação (g MS/h) e (g FDN/h), a restrição alimentar ocasionou um aumento desta variável dos animais em restrição (P<0,05). De forma semelhante, o aumento nos níveis de restrição alimentar, promoveu uma maior permanência em ócio dos animais em restrição (P<0,05). As variáveis número de bolos ruminais (nº/dia) e números de mastigação merícicas reduziram com a restrição alimentar (P<0,05). No entanto, o tempo de mastigação merícica aumentou com a restrição (P<0,05). Conclui-se que a restrição alimentar promove a redução no consumo de nutrientes e o aumento na digestibilidade da dieta, proporcionando assim, uma maior eficiência na absorção dos nutrientes nos animais submetidos ao nível de 60% de restrição alimentar. Os padrões de comportamento ingestivo também são alterados pela restrição alimentar, principalmente os tempos gastos com alimentação, ruminação e ócio e os padrões de mastigação merícicas.

Os anos 90 marcaram a expansão dos programas sociais em países em desenvolvimento, sendo que muitos desses programas consistem em aliviar a pobreza extrema e promover melhoras à vida dos indivíduos vulneráveis a tal condição. Com isso, tornou-se importante avaliar os efeitos de programas sociais a fim de verificar se o dinheiro designado pelos governos tinha o impacto esperado sobre seus beneficiados. Levando em consideração a importância dessa avaliação, diversos pesquisadores iniciaram estudos tendo como foco o principal programa federal brasileiro: o Bolsa Família. O presente estudo busca contribuir analisando os efeitos do Bolsa Família sobre o consumo de nutrientes e os índices antropométricos, utilizando dados da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares (POF) de 2008-2009. Para o consumo de nutrientes, lançou-se mão de uma subamostra constituída por 25% da amostra original da POF, com pessoas com 10 anos ou mais de idade, às quais foi solicitado que registrassem todo o alimento consumido durante 24 horas em dois dias não consecutivos. A partir disso, a quantidade de alimentos da caderneta pessoal foi transformada em quantidades de nutrientes, as quais foram utilizadas nesse estudo para analisar os efeitos do PBF sobre o consumo de nutrientes. Os índices antropométricos, baseados na amostra original, foram obtidos usando a altura e peso dos indivíduos para calcular os escores Z de altura-para-idade, peso-para-idade e IMC-para-idade. Para atingir o objetivo proposto, os dados foram separados em dois grupos: os beneficiados e os não beneficiados pelo PBF. Inicialmente analisou-se a probabilidade de um indivíduo receber ou não o benefício, para encontrar pessoas beneficiadas com características muito próximas às das não beneficiadas. Essa comparação baseada em escores de propensão d´a o nome ao método utilizado nesse estudo: Propensity Score Matching. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que o Bolsa Família contribuiu para que as pessoas tivessem acesso a alimentos saudáveis. Encontrou-se aumento no consumo de fibras, carboidratos e algumas vitaminas e minerais. Houve também uma redução no consumo de colesterol e de sódio. Ademais, ressalta-se o consumo maior de ácidos graxos essenciais para a saúde. Aliado à prática de boa alimentação, constatou-se que o PBF colaborou para que crianças e adolescentes obtivessem índices antropométricos considerados adequados em comparação com seus pares não beneficiados. / The 1990s marked the expansion of social programs in developing countries, many of which were designed to alleviate extreme poverty and promote better living conditions for extremely poor individuals. Thus, it became important to evaluate the effects of social programs to check whether the funds allocated to them by governments had the expected impact on their beneficiaries. Considering the importance of this evaluation, several researchers began to conduct studies focused on the main Brazilian federal program: the Bolsa Família Program (Family Stipendium). This study is intended to contribute to this effort by analyzing the effects of the Bolsa Família Program on nutrient intake and anthropometric indices based on data from Brazil\'s 2008-2009 Consumer Expenditure Survey (Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares - POF). For nutrient intake, a subsample comprising 25% of the original POF sample was used with people aged 10 or older, who were asked to report all the food they had consumed in 24 hours over two nonconsecutive days. Based on this information, the reported amount of food was converted into nutrients, which were used in this study to analyze the effects of the Bolsa Família Program on nutrient intake. Based on the original sample, anthropometric indices were calculated according to the height and weight of the individuals in the form of Z-scores for height-for-age, weight-for-age, and BMI-for-age. For the proposed objective to be achieved, the data were separated into two groups, namely, beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program, and the probability of an individual receiving or not receiving the benefit was thus estimated. It was therefore possible to identify beneficiaries with very similar features to those on non-beneficiaries, and this comparison based on propensity scores gave name to the method used in this study: Propensity Score Matching. The results suggest that the Bolsa Família Program contributed to people having access to healthy food. An increase in the consumption of fibers, carbohydrates, and some vitamins and minerals was observed. A greater consumption of essential fatty acids was also observed. In addition, the fact that a decrease in the consumption of cholesterol and sodium was identified deserves special mention. Combined with good nutrition practices, it was seen that the Bolsa Família Program contributed for children and adolescents to have indices that are considered appropriate as compared to those of their non-beneficiary peers.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes nÃveis de xiquexique (0, 12, 24 e 36%) em substituiÃÃo ao feno de capim Tifton sobre o consumo de nutrientes, respostas fisiolÃgicas e o comportamento ingestivo de vacas em lactaÃÃo. Foram utilizadas oito vacas leiteiras mestiÃas plurÃparas, com aproximadamente 100 dias em lactaÃÃo, produÃÃo mÃdia de 15 kg de leite/dia e com peso corporal mÃdio de 465,20  39,37 kg. Os animais foram distribuÃdos em quadrado latino 4x4, duplo (4 perÃodos, 4 nÃveis de xiquexique e 8 animais). Cada perÃodo teve duraÃÃo de 16 dias, sendo 10 dias de adaptaÃÃo e 6 dias de coleta de dados, totalizando 64 dias experimentais. A relaÃÃo volumoso:concentrado foi de 60:40, com base na matÃria seca (MS). O xiquexique foi colhido e transportado da caatinga, onde, diariamente foram queimados os espinhos com lanÃa-chamas a gÃs para posterior trituraÃÃo em mÃquina forrageira. O feno de capim Tifton foi cortado com aproximadamente 50 dias de idade. Na avaliaÃÃo do consumo de nutrientes, o consumo de MS e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) nas trÃs unidades analisadas (kg/dia, %PC e g/kg0,75), assim como, os consumos de matÃria orgÃnica (MO), proteÃna bruta (PB), extrato etÃreo (EE) e carboidratos totais (CT) expressos em kg/dia, apresentaram comportamento linear decrescente com os nÃveis de xiquexique na raÃÃo. A produÃÃo de leite (kg/dia) decresceu, mas a eficiÃncia alimentar nÃo foi influenciada pela introduÃÃo do xiquexique na raÃÃo. O consumo de Ãgua via alimento (CAAlimento), expresso em kg/dia e %PC, aumentou linearmente com a elevaÃÃo da participaÃÃo do xiquexique na raÃÃo total, entretanto, houve reduÃÃo linear no consumo voluntÃrio de Ãgua (CAVoluntÃrio) expresso em kg/dia e %PC e ausÃncia de efeito sobre o consumo de Ãgua total (CATotal). A participaÃÃo do CAVoluntÃrio no CATotal reduziu linearmente com os nÃveis de xiquexique na raÃÃo. A frequÃncia respiratÃria, temperatura superficial e temperatura retal pela manhà nÃo foram influenciadas pelos nÃveis de xiquexique nas raÃÃes experimentais. Jà a temperatura retal à tarde foi reduzida com os nÃveis de xiquexique na raÃÃo. O tempo de alimentaÃÃo e ruminaÃÃo expressos em hora/dia e o tempo de mastigaÃÃo total diminuiram linearmente com os nÃveis crescentes de xiquexique nas raÃÃes experimentais. Consequentemente, houve aumento linear no tempo em Ãcio. Os nÃveis de xiquexique na raÃÃo de vacas leiteiras em lactaÃÃo nÃo influenciaram a eficiÃncia de alimentaÃÃo (EAL) e ruminaÃÃo (ERU), expressas em gMS/h, nÃmero de mastigaÃÃes merÃcicas por bolo ruminal e tempo de mastigaÃÃes merÃcica por bolo ruminal. A EAL e ERU expressas em gFDN/h, o nÃmero de bolos ruminais por dia e nÃmero de mastigaÃÃes merÃcica por dia apresentaram efeito linear decrescente com a inclusÃo de xiquexique nas raÃÃes. O xiquexique pode ser utilizado na alimentaÃÃo de vacas em lactaÃÃo de mÃdia e baixa produÃÃo, pois promove reduÃÃo do consumo de nutrientes, produÃÃo de leite, consumo voluntÃrio de Ãgua e altera o comportamento ingestivo, sem alterar a eficiÃncia alimentar. / This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of xiquexique (0, 12, 24 and 36%) replacing Tifton hay on nutrient intake, feeding behavior and physiological responses of lactating dairy cows. Eight pluriparous crossbred cows, with approximately 100 lactation days, average production of 15 kg milk/day and average body weight of 465.20  39.37 kg were used. The animals were distributed in a 4x4 double latin square, (4 periods, 4 levels xiquexique and 8 animals). Each period lasted 16 days with 10 days of adaptation and 6 days of data collection, totaling 64 experimental days. The forage: concentrate ratio of 60:40, based on dry matter (DM). The xiquexique was collected and transported to the caatinga, with the thorns daily burned with flamethrowers to gas for subsequent grinding in machine for forage. The Tifton hay cut with approximately 50 days of age. In the assessment of nutrient intakes, the DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake in the three analyzed units (kg / day, g/kg0,75 and % PC), as well as the intake of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP ), ether extract (EE) and total carbohydrates (TC) expressed as kg/day, linearly decreased to the levels of xiquexique in the ration. Milk production (kg/day) decreased, but feed efficiency was not affected by the introduction of the xiquexique in the ration. The water intake through food (WIFood) expressed as kg/day and %BW increased linearly with increasing participation of xiquexique in the total ration, however, there was a linear reduction in voluntary intake of water (WIVoluntary) expressed in kg/day and %PC and no effect on the total water intake (WITotal). Participation in WITotal of WIVoluntary decreased linearly with xiquexique levels in the ration. The respiratory rate, surface temperature and rectal temperature in two shifts (morning and afternoon) were not influenced by the levels of xiquexique the experimental diets. Rectal temperature in the afternoon was reduced with the levels of xiquexique in the ration. The feeding time and rumination expressed in hours/day and the total chewing time decreased linearly with increasing levels of xiquexique in the experimental rations. Consequently, there was linear increase in time in idle. The xiquexique levels in the ration of lactating dairy cows did not affect the feed efficiency (EAL) and rumination (ERU) , expressed in gDM / h, number of chews per ruminal bolus and time of chews for ruminal bolus. The EAL and ERU expressed in gNDF / h, the number of ruminal bolus per day and number of chews per day showed decreasing linear effect with the inclusion of xiquexique in the rations. The xiquexique can be used as feed for dairy cows medium and low production, because it promotes reduction of nutrient intake, milk production, voluntary intake of water and alters feeding behavior without changing the feed efficiency.

FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Cearà / The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of food restriction and sexual group on intake, digestibility of nutrients: dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), mineral matter (MM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), total carbohydrates (TC), total digestible nutrients (TDN) and diel behavior patterns intake of Santa Ines lambs. A total of 30 sheep was used, with average initial weight of 13.00  1.49 kg in a completely randomized design in factorial 3x2, with three levels of restriction (ad libitum, 30 and 60%) and two sexual groups (castrated and uncastrated). The animals were fed on experimental diet composed of a forage:concentrate ratio of 60:40, with Tifton-85 hay (Cynodon spp.) as roughage. There was no sexual group effect or interaction between sexual group and food restriction levels for all variables analysed (P>0.05). The consumption of all nutrients were influenced by food restriction levels (P<0.05), decreasing according to the increase in restriction levels. Conversely, nutrient digestibility coefficients increased proportionally with food restriction levels (P<0.05). The feeding behavior variables were influenced by food restriction (P<0.05). Variations in feed time (hour/day), rumination efficiency (g DM/hour) and (g NDF/hour), ruminating time (hour/day) and total chewing time (hour/day) decreased with rising levels of food restriction (P<0.05). For the âFeed efficiency&#8223; variable (g DM/hour) and (g NDF/hour), food restriction led to an increase in efficiency of the restricted animals (P<0.05). Similarly, the increase in levels of food restriction promoted greater time spent in idleness restriction of animals (P<0.05). The variable number of ruminal bolus (No./day) and ruminating chewing number reduced with food restriction (P<0.05). However, chewing ruminating time increased with the restriction (P<0.05). As conclusion, food restriction promotes a reduction in nutrient intake and increased digestibility of the diet, thus providing increased efficiency in the absorption of nutrients in animals undergoing the level of 60% food restriction. The feeding behavior patterns are also altered by dietary restriction, especially the food expenditures times, ruminating and idleness and ruminating chewing patterns. / Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar o efeito da restriÃÃo alimentar e da classe sexual sobre o consumo, digestibilidade dos nutrientes: matÃria seca (MS), matÃria orgÃnica (MO), matÃria mineral (MM), proteÃna bruta (PB), extrato etÃreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente Ãcido (FDA), carboidratos totais (CHOT), carboidratos nÃo fibrosos (CNF), nutrientes digestÃveis totais (NDT) e os padrÃes nictemerais do comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Santa InÃs. Foram utilizados 30 ovinos com peso mÃdio inicial de 13,00  1,49 kg, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3x2, com trÃs nÃveis de restriÃÃo (ad libitum, 30 e 60%) e duas classes sexuais (castrados e nÃo castrados). Os animais foram alimentados com dieta experimental em relaÃÃo volumoso:concentrado de 60:40, sendo o feno de capim-Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) utilizado como volumoso. NÃo houve efeito de classe sexual ou interaÃÃo entre classe sexual e nÃvel de restriÃÃo alimentar para todas as variÃveis analisadas (P>0,05). O consumo de todos os nutrientes foi influenciado pelos nÃveis de restriÃÃo alimentar (P<0,05), decrescendo de acordo com o aumento nos nÃveis de restriÃÃo. Inversamente, os coeficientes de digestibilidade dos nutrientes aumentaram proporcionalmente aos nÃveis de restriÃÃo alimentar (P<0,05). As variÃveis de comportamento ingestivo foram influenciadas pela restriÃÃo alimentar (P<0,05). As variÃveis tempo de alimentaÃÃo (h/dia), eficiÃncia de ruminaÃÃo (g MS/h) e (g FDN/h), tempo de ruminaÃÃo (h/dia) e tempo de mastigaÃÃo total (h/dia) decresceram com o aumento nos nÃveis de restriÃÃo alimentar (P<0,05). Jà para a eficiÃncia de alimentaÃÃo (g MS/h) e (g FDN/h), a restriÃÃo alimentar ocasionou um aumento desta variÃvel dos animais em restriÃÃo (P<0,05). De forma semelhante, o aumento nos nÃveis de restriÃÃo alimentar, promoveu uma maior permanÃncia em Ãcio dos animais em restriÃÃo (P<0,05). As variÃveis nÃmero de bolos ruminais (nÂ/dia) e nÃmeros de mastigaÃÃo merÃcicas reduziram com a restriÃÃo alimentar (P<0,05). No entanto, o tempo de mastigaÃÃo merÃcica aumentou com a restriÃÃo (P<0,05). Conclui-se que a restriÃÃo alimentar promove a reduÃÃo no consumo de nutrientes e o aumento na digestibilidade da dieta, proporcionando assim, uma maior eficiÃncia na absorÃÃo dos nutrientes nos animais submetidos ao nÃvel de 60% de restriÃÃo alimentar. Os padrÃes de comportamento ingestivo tambÃm sÃo alterados pela restriÃÃo alimentar, principalmente os tempos gastos com alimentaÃÃo, ruminaÃÃo e Ãcio e os padrÃes de mastigaÃÃo merÃcicas.

Breastfeeding is at its best when both the mother and infant benefit from the experience. Aim: To obtain data on the adequacy of the diet and nutrition knowledge of lactating women (0-6 months postpartum) living in a low socio-economic area in Nairobi. The findings could be used to plan future nutrition intervention programs. Research design: A cross-sectional survey in the quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. Health status indicators, socio-economic and cultural factors were additionally investigated as interactive factors that could influence the nutrient intake and nutrition knowledge of the lactating women. Setting: Mbagathi District Hospital, located at the edge of Kibera slum area in Nairobi. Sample: Lactating mothers (0-6 months postpartum), who were visiting the Maternal-Child Health Clinic to bring their children for immunisation, were recruited. Convenience sampling was used (N=120). Informed consent was obtained from the mothers in their home tongue. Methodology: Individual interviews in Swahili, using structured questionnaires (Socio biodemographic questionnaire, Hunger Scale, 24 Hour-recall, and Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire), and anthropometry (according to standard procedure) were done in the quantitative domain. Seven structured focus group discussions were employed in the qualitative domain. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used on the quantitative data, and Krueger‘s framework of analysis on the qualitative data. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria; Ref no EC 080922-039, and research permission was granted by the National Council for Science and Technology, Nairobi; Permit no NCST/5/002/R/355. Main findings: Majority of women (92%) had energy intakes between 5040 – 10080 kJ/day with the mean energy intake of 6975.5 kJ/day which was lower than the recommended 11340 kJ/day. Macronutrient intake was within the acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges, whereas the micronutrients were consumed below the recommended dietary allowances (WHO). The mean adequacy ratio (excluding niacin) was 0.74. The highest frequency of consumption (100%) was from cereals, while the lowest were for vitamin A rich vegetables/fruits (6.6%) and dairy products (1.7%). Overall, the mean Food Variety Score (FVS) was 6.6 ( ± 2.0) and the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was 4.3 ( ± 1.0). Hunger assessment revealed 43 households that were food secure, whereas 77 households were either hungry or at risk of hunger. Majority of women (93%) had good nutrition knowledge but the rationale for applying the knowledge was lacking for most of the nutrition concepts. Socio-economic status, cultural beliefs and practices, health status and nutrition knowledge were all identified as probable factors that influenced the dietary intake of the lactating women. Recommendation: There seems to be a need for well-designed nutrition intervention programs focusing on nutrient intake from culturally acceptable and affordable foods to increase dietary diversity and food variety of lactating women in this low socio-economic area. With a concurrent increase in nutrition knowledge such interventions would improve their nutritional status. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Food Science / unrestricted

For three weeks the plate waste from the students at the Edith Bowen Laboratory School was collected. The students were divided into three units by grade; Unit I, kindergarten and first grade, Unit II, second and third grade; and Unit III, fourth through sixth grade. The total waste of the individual menu items in the three units was weighed to determine the total waste of each food item for the unit. In each unit individual food items from three control trays weighed together, and an average serving portion for the item in each of the three units was obtained. The study consisted of three phases, each lasting five consecutive school days with one control phase and two experimental phases. During the control phase (Phase 1) the dessert was placed on the front of the tray, in relation to the children and the children played after lunch. The dessert was placed on the back of the tray in relation to the children and playtime was after lunch in Phase 2. In Phase 3, the dessert was placed again on the back of the tray, but playtime was before lunch. The placement of food on the tray had no measurable affect on the amount of food wasted. When the children played before lunch there was a significant decrease in the amount of food wasted. The meals as served, consumed, and wasted were analyzed for 22 nutrients, and the nutrient density or Index of Nutritional Quality of the meals was also determined. The meals as served were examined to see if they met the nutrient requirements for a Type A lunch.

No description available.

The study was conducted to determine the relationship of physical activity, self-esteem, and dietary intake (kilocalories, fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E with obesity in 65 low-income EFNEP women. Participants were assigned to either non-obese or obese group based on 8MI calculation with 28 in the non-obese group and 37 in the obese group. A family record, three-repeat random 24-hour food recalls, a 24-hour physical activity and a self-esteem questionnaire were collected from each participant. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and MANOVA and simple t-tests were calculated (P < 0.05). Results suggest that non-obese and obese low-income women consume similar amounts of kilocalories and inadequate intakes of the same nutrients (fiber, calcium and vitamin E) and have very similar levels of self-esteem. They also have similar energy expenditure with very little planned or deliberate exercise, except that the obese group had significantly more energy expenditure in the inactive leisure-time category (P = 0.016). Calories consumed and energy expenditures were similar for obese women, but the non-obese women had significantly higher energy expenditure than caloric intake (P = 0.012). / Master of Science

Abstract available in Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.