Diss. (sammanfattning). Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

<p dir="ltr">Undernutrition affects millions of children in low- and middle- income countries, causing poor growth, poor development, and increased risk of mortality. Many nutrition-sensitive interventions for rural areas increase household access to nutritious foods through increasing home production, a strategy that has small positive effects on child diets. However, there is growing evidence that local markets are also important for dietary quality. Despite the importance of rural markets, the rural food environment and food purchasing practices among rural households are not well-characterized in the literature. It is possible that promoting improved household food purchase practices is an effective method for improving child nutrition in rural areas. Tanzania experiences a high prevalence of undernutrition among children under the age of 5 years, particularly among rural populations. This dissertation utilizes data from the Engaging Fathers for Effective Child Nutrition and Development in Tanzania (EFFECTS), a cluster randomized controlled trial that was conducted in rural Mara, Tanzania. The EFFECTS trial promoted improved diets through both home production and through food purchases through a social and behavior change strategy. We measured changes in dietary diversity (a proxy for diet quality), children’s nutrient intake adequacy, and diversity of foods purchased and produced. This dissertation presents evidence that food purchase diversity is positively associated with dimensions of the rural food environment, including high market food diversity (+0.37 food groups, p=0.01), living within 30 minutes of a market (+0.36 food groups, p=0.001) and household purchasing power (+0.14 food groups per additional million Tanzanian shillings spent by the household, p<0.001). In turn, purchase diversity is positively associated with dietary diversity (b=0.22, p<0.001), and intake adequacy of folate, vitamin B12, and calcium (all p<0.05) among children 9-23 months. Promoting food purchase diversity was effectively integrated into the EFFECTS interventions, resulting in purchasing +0.54 food groups at endline compared to changes in the control (p<0.01), which mediated 25% of the total improvement in child dietary diversity. In contrast, production diversity was associated with increased intake adequacy of vitamin A only (p<0.05), households produced +0.44 food groups at endline compared to control (p<0.05), and this mediated 15% of the total improvement in child dietary diversity. These findings suggest that promoting diverse food purchases, alongside diverse home production, is an effective way to improve children’s diets in similar settings.</p>

Forage of beta-carotene-fortified orange-fleshed sweet potato is essential for alleviation cattle malnutrition. The study aims were to determine effects of supplementing sweet potato (SP) roots and sun dried forage on degradation of dietary legumes, intake and milk yield in dairy cattle. Mature SP roots were oven dried and forage vines and leaves (V&L) sun dried. Lactating dairy were supplied meals with total mixed ration (TMR) constituting varying levels of sweet potato forage and concentrate. The SP flour was rapidly and completely degraded In Sacco while degradability of V&L was comparable to that of Lucerne hay. Rumen degradation of Lucerne was reduced when the legume was incubated proximal to SP. Substitution of TMR with fresh SP forage and flour meal increased degradability of diets. Glucose post-feeding was increased (P<0.05) by SP roots but no change in milk yield. Orange-fleshed SP forage is recommended for improving energy supply in lactating cow diets / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Background Modern neonatal care has improved the survival rate of extremely preterm infants. These infants are at high risk of malnutrition and growth failure during 3-4 months of hospital care. The objectives of this study was to investigate nutritional intakes during hospitalization and explore associations between nutritional intakes, postnatal growth and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Perioperative nutrition in infants undergoing surgery for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was also investigated. Methods This is a population-based study of Swedish extremely preterm infants (&lt;27 weeks) born during 2004-2007 (n=602). Detailed data on nutritional supply and anthropometric measurements during hospitalization were retrospectively retrieved from hospital records. Comprehensive data on cohort characteristics, neonatal morbidity and infant mortality were obtained from the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study (EXPRESS). Results During the first 70 days of life, intakes of energy, protein and several micronutrients, with the exception of iron and some vitamins, were less than estimated requirements, and infants showed severe postnatal growth failure. Energy and protein intake predicted growth in all anthropometric outcomes even when adjusting for severity of illness, and fat intake was positively associated with head growth. Low folate intake was positively correlated with poor weight and length gain while high iron intake, mainly explained by blood transfusions, was negatively associated with poor length gain. Furthermore, a low energy intake was associated with severe ROP (stage 3-5). An increased energy intake of 10 kcal/kg/d was associated with 24% decrease in severe ROP (p=0.01). During the first month, 99% of the infants were exclusively fed human milk. Infants who underwent surgery for PDA (n=140) were malnourished, with energy and macronutrient intakes below minimum estimated requirements before, during and after surgery. Conclusions The severe postnatal growth failure observed in Swedish extremely preterm infants may be prevented by improved intakes of energy, protein, fat and folate and a reduction of the number of blood transfusions. Human milk is the main enteral food source and analyses of human milk macronutrient contents facilitates individualized fortification. Provision of adequate energy intakes during the first four weeks of life may be an effective way to reduce the risk of severe ROP. Perioperative nutrition in infants undergoing PDA surgery needs to be improved. The study results have important implications for nutritional regimens, postnatal growth and health outcome in this new generation of survivors.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES The main aim of this thesis was to explore the possibilities of promoting the cultivation, utilisation and consumption of indigenous and traditional plant foods (ITPF) among urban and rural communities in the North West Province of South Africa that could possibly lead to increased IK and dietary diversity. The objectives were the following: Assess consumption of TLV in the rural and urban communities. Compare nutritional status of consumers and non-consumers of TLV using data obtained from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE-SA) study. Assess the availability, cultivation and consumption patterns of ITPF. Assess indigenous knowledge (IK) within the rural and urban communities. Assess consumers’ views of ITPF in the rural and urban communities. Assess consumers’ acceptance of, preference for and consumption intent of dishes made from cowpea leaves. To compile recipes for the most important ITPF commonly consumed in the study areas in order to promote the cultivation and consumption of ITPF (see Addendum D). STUDY DESIGN Health profile study: For the health profile study, a comparative study was conducted on the baseline data of the population that participated in the PURE-SA study (1004 urban and 1006 rural participants) which follows the health transition in urban and rural subjects over a 12 year period. The baseline data for the North West Province of South Africa were collected from October to December 2005. Utilisation of ITPF study: The study on the utilisation of ITPF used a sequential explanatory study design which involved the collection of quantitative and qualitative data and analyses. The consumer acceptance study consisted of an explorative and experimental phase. Participants were male and female, aged older than 20, residing in the selected communities and knowledgeable on the indigenous and traditional foods of the area. METHODS A variety of quantitative and qualitative research techniques were used. Data were generated through questionnaires, focus groups and individual - and group interviews. Health profile study: Demographic characteristics and frequency of consumption of TLV data were collected by the researcher from 396 randomly selected subjects from participating subjects in the PURE-SA study. An extensive nutritional profile of these subjects was compiled including blood samples, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements and total dietary intake by means of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Utilisation of ITPF study: A comparative study was conducted in rural and urban populations of the North West Province. Data were collected by the researcher using a questionnaire (n=396 households), key informant interviews (n=4), and four focus groups. Consumer study: Four focus groups were conducted by the researcher, two in rural and two in urban communities, to investigate consumers’ views about ITPF. Eighty-seven participants were recruited based on a specific purpose rather than randomly. Consumers’ acceptance of, preference for and intended consumption of products made with cowpea leaves were assessed. A 5-point hedonic scale and a 7-point food action rating scale were used for sensory evaluation. RESULTS Health profile study: As expected, rural inhabitants were more likely to consume TLV. However, no household reported to consume TLV more than ten times a month. Factors such as price (affordability) and availability and easy-to-get-to points of purchase were found to be major constraints in the consumption of TLV, especially in urban communities. Urban respondents had significantly higher macronutrient intakes than rural subjects. There was no significant difference between the selected micronutrient intakes between consumers and non-consumers of TLV. Non-consumers of TLV had higher blood lipid levels than consumers from both the rural and urban areas. In the urban subjects the relative risk to develop high blood pressure was higher in non-consumers of TLV than in the consumers. However, the risk ratios of raised serum cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different. Utilisation of ITPF study: More plant foods were available and consumed in the rural area than the urban area. However, fewer species were available than expected due to insufficient rainfall, poor soil quality, deforestation and over harvesting. Consumption of indigenous foods was influenced by price, culture, seasonality/availability, accessibility and diversity in markets. A lack of markets for indigenous crops, insufficient rainfall and diseases and pests were cited as the major cultivation problems, followed by a lack of capital to buy farming implements, veld fires and poor soil quality. Consumer study: Based on the qualitative focus group discussions, factors that influence the consumption of ITPF were identified. These factors included benefits and barriers of ITPF consumption. Ways to increase ITFP consumption were also identified. Health and nutrition; tradition and culture; and food safety emerged as drivers for ITPF consumption. A lack of knowledge and skills of food preparation and negative images and unfamiliarity of ITPF acted as barriers. Differences in views existed between older and younger consumers. In general younger consumers found ITF rather revolting and undesirable, humiliating to consume. Sensory evaluation of food samples for the pooled data of the total study population showed that significant differences existed between the acceptability of all attributes, overall acceptance and consumption intent. Socio-demographic backgrounds such as place of residence (urban or rural), levels of education and age were shown to influence the acceptability of food samples and consumption intent. There was no positive association between acceptability of food and gender. CONCLUSIONS Health profile study: This study showed the possibility of beneficial effects of rural diets, however, the lack of knowledge concerning the bioavailability of nutrients from TLV and lack of information on food consumption database, of these vegetables constitute main barriers to obtaining information on nutrient intake. The low frequency of consumption of TLV is of concern. Taking into consideration safe agricultural practices, the promotion of TLV might be a solution towards healthier diets and combating poverty. More research is needed to investigate the health effects of these vegetables. Utilisation of ITPF study: It is evident that there was a limited number of ITPF species cultivated and consumed. Consumers, especially older people, were found to possess extensive knowledge regarding the availability of ITPF species, their habitat and uses, seasonality and potential health benefits. There is a need to intensify education on conservation of natural resources and more studies should be undertaken to document and disseminate traditional food systems. In addition, there is a need to integrate existing health and nutrition interventions with traditional food promotion. Consumer study: The results highlighted the importance of making use of a mixed method approach which made it possible not only to identify factors that influence the consumption of ITPF but also to understand the dynamics thereof from focus group discussions and how they influence acceptability, preference and consumption intent. Important benefits (drivers) of and barriers to ITPF consumption as well as suggestions on how to increase ITPF consumption were identified. Barriers to ITPF consumption and low scores of acceptability provided by younger participants can be connected to misconceptions about ITPF and lack of familiarity with the products. Therefore, a combination of strategies aimed at enhancing individual awareness of the health benefits of ITPF, decreasing barriers and conducting more acceptability studies may have a positive impact on the younger segment of the population. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Consumer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

There is no doubts that proper and healthy nutrition helps to prevent a number of chronic non-communicable diseases and is one of the key determinants of good health and life quality. The aim of the study is to evaluate the actual nutrition and nutrition habits of Lithuanian adult population. A random sample of 3,000 Lithuanian residents aged from 19 to 65, representing Lithuanian adult population, was set for this study. Nutrition habits were investigated using nutrition questionnaire, food consumption was investigated using 24 hours recall methodology and special Atlas of Foodstuffs and Dishes portion sizes. Presented study is the first case, where the complexed data about the actual nutrition, nutrition habits and BMI of Lithuanian adult population was analyzed and comprehensively evaluated. According to socio-demographic determinants it was examined and evaluated consumption of separate foodstuffs as well as daily intake of nutrients (proteins, fats (including saturated and unsaturated fatty acids), carbohydrates (including sugars), dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, etc.), and their consistency within the recommendations. There were established trends of changes in Lithuanian adult population nutrition and BMI, as well as links between respondents’ attitude towards some aspects of the nutrition (nutrition impact on health, consumption of fruits and vegetables, consumption of products containing more saturated fatty acids, heavy salt consumption, iodine salt consumption... [to full text] / Tinkama ir sveika mityba padeda išvengti daugelio lėtinių neinfekcinių ligų ir yra vienas iš svarbiausių veiksnių, lemiančių žmonių sveikatą ir gyvenimo kokybę. Todėl šio darbo tikslas buvo įvertinti suaugusių Lietuvos gyventojų faktišką mitybą bei mitybos įpročius. Buvo sudaryta atsitiktinė 3000 Lietuvos suaugusių (19–65 m. amžiaus) gyventojų imtis; mitybos įpročiai tirti, naudojant apklausos anketą; faktiškos mitybos tyrimai atlikti pagal standartinę 24 valandų apklausos metodiką, panaudojant specialiai šiam tikslui parengtą Maisto produktų ir patiekalų porcijų nuotraukų atlasą. Disertaciniame darbe pirmą kartą išanalizuoti ir kompleksiškai įvertinti duomenys apie suaugusių Lietuvos gyventojų faktišką mitybą, mitybos įpročius, gyventojų KMI; išnagrinėtas ir įvertintas pagal sociodemografines determinantes atskirų maisto produktų suvartojimas bei su jais gaunami maistinių medžiagų (baltymų, riebalų, tarp jų sočiųjų ir nesočiųjų RR; angliavandenių, tarp jų cukrų, skaidulinių medžiagų, taip pat vitaminų, mineralinių medžiagų ir kt.) kiekiai per parą bei jų atitikimas Rekomenduojamoms paros normoms. Taip pat buvo įvertintos Lietuvos suaugusių gyventojų mitybos ir kūno masės indekso pokyčių tendencijos bei nustatytos mitybos ir mitybos įpročių sąsajos su respondentų požiūriu į tam tikrus mitybos aspektus (mitybos įtaką sveikatai, daržovių ir vaisių vartojimą, produktų, turinčių daugiau sočiųjų riebalų rūgščių, vartojimą, gausų valgomosios druskos vartojimą, joduotos druskos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

AIM AND OBJECTIVES The main aim of this thesis was to explore the possibilities of promoting the cultivation, utilisation and consumption of indigenous and traditional plant foods (ITPF) among urban and rural communities in the North West Province of South Africa that could possibly lead to increased IK and dietary diversity. The objectives were the following: Assess consumption of TLV in the rural and urban communities. Compare nutritional status of consumers and non-consumers of TLV using data obtained from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE-SA) study. Assess the availability, cultivation and consumption patterns of ITPF. Assess indigenous knowledge (IK) within the rural and urban communities. Assess consumers’ views of ITPF in the rural and urban communities. Assess consumers’ acceptance of, preference for and consumption intent of dishes made from cowpea leaves. To compile recipes for the most important ITPF commonly consumed in the study areas in order to promote the cultivation and consumption of ITPF (see Addendum D). STUDY DESIGN Health profile study: For the health profile study, a comparative study was conducted on the baseline data of the population that participated in the PURE-SA study (1004 urban and 1006 rural participants) which follows the health transition in urban and rural subjects over a 12 year period. The baseline data for the North West Province of South Africa were collected from October to December 2005. Utilisation of ITPF study: The study on the utilisation of ITPF used a sequential explanatory study design which involved the collection of quantitative and qualitative data and analyses. The consumer acceptance study consisted of an explorative and experimental phase. Participants were male and female, aged older than 20, residing in the selected communities and knowledgeable on the indigenous and traditional foods of the area. METHODS A variety of quantitative and qualitative research techniques were used. Data were generated through questionnaires, focus groups and individual - and group interviews. Health profile study: Demographic characteristics and frequency of consumption of TLV data were collected by the researcher from 396 randomly selected subjects from participating subjects in the PURE-SA study. An extensive nutritional profile of these subjects was compiled including blood samples, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements and total dietary intake by means of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Utilisation of ITPF study: A comparative study was conducted in rural and urban populations of the North West Province. Data were collected by the researcher using a questionnaire (n=396 households), key informant interviews (n=4), and four focus groups. Consumer study: Four focus groups were conducted by the researcher, two in rural and two in urban communities, to investigate consumers’ views about ITPF. Eighty-seven participants were recruited based on a specific purpose rather than randomly. Consumers’ acceptance of, preference for and intended consumption of products made with cowpea leaves were assessed. A 5-point hedonic scale and a 7-point food action rating scale were used for sensory evaluation. RESULTS Health profile study: As expected, rural inhabitants were more likely to consume TLV. However, no household reported to consume TLV more than ten times a month. Factors such as price (affordability) and availability and easy-to-get-to points of purchase were found to be major constraints in the consumption of TLV, especially in urban communities. Urban respondents had significantly higher macronutrient intakes than rural subjects. There was no significant difference between the selected micronutrient intakes between consumers and non-consumers of TLV. Non-consumers of TLV had higher blood lipid levels than consumers from both the rural and urban areas. In the urban subjects the relative risk to develop high blood pressure was higher in non-consumers of TLV than in the consumers. However, the risk ratios of raised serum cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different. Utilisation of ITPF study: More plant foods were available and consumed in the rural area than the urban area. However, fewer species were available than expected due to insufficient rainfall, poor soil quality, deforestation and over harvesting. Consumption of indigenous foods was influenced by price, culture, seasonality/availability, accessibility and diversity in markets. A lack of markets for indigenous crops, insufficient rainfall and diseases and pests were cited as the major cultivation problems, followed by a lack of capital to buy farming implements, veld fires and poor soil quality. Consumer study: Based on the qualitative focus group discussions, factors that influence the consumption of ITPF were identified. These factors included benefits and barriers of ITPF consumption. Ways to increase ITFP consumption were also identified. Health and nutrition; tradition and culture; and food safety emerged as drivers for ITPF consumption. A lack of knowledge and skills of food preparation and negative images and unfamiliarity of ITPF acted as barriers. Differences in views existed between older and younger consumers. In general younger consumers found ITF rather revolting and undesirable, humiliating to consume. Sensory evaluation of food samples for the pooled data of the total study population showed that significant differences existed between the acceptability of all attributes, overall acceptance and consumption intent. Socio-demographic backgrounds such as place of residence (urban or rural), levels of education and age were shown to influence the acceptability of food samples and consumption intent. There was no positive association between acceptability of food and gender. CONCLUSIONS Health profile study: This study showed the possibility of beneficial effects of rural diets, however, the lack of knowledge concerning the bioavailability of nutrients from TLV and lack of information on food consumption database, of these vegetables constitute main barriers to obtaining information on nutrient intake. The low frequency of consumption of TLV is of concern. Taking into consideration safe agricultural practices, the promotion of TLV might be a solution towards healthier diets and combating poverty. More research is needed to investigate the health effects of these vegetables. Utilisation of ITPF study: It is evident that there was a limited number of ITPF species cultivated and consumed. Consumers, especially older people, were found to possess extensive knowledge regarding the availability of ITPF species, their habitat and uses, seasonality and potential health benefits. There is a need to intensify education on conservation of natural resources and more studies should be undertaken to document and disseminate traditional food systems. In addition, there is a need to integrate existing health and nutrition interventions with traditional food promotion. Consumer study: The results highlighted the importance of making use of a mixed method approach which made it possible not only to identify factors that influence the consumption of ITPF but also to understand the dynamics thereof from focus group discussions and how they influence acceptability, preference and consumption intent. Important benefits (drivers) of and barriers to ITPF consumption as well as suggestions on how to increase ITPF consumption were identified. Barriers to ITPF consumption and low scores of acceptability provided by younger participants can be connected to misconceptions about ITPF and lack of familiarity with the products. Therefore, a combination of strategies aimed at enhancing individual awareness of the health benefits of ITPF, decreasing barriers and conducting more acceptability studies may have a positive impact on the younger segment of the population. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Consumer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2010.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three carbohydrate sources (corn, soybean hulls or wheat bran) in the diet on performance, carcass characteristics and meat and the components are not part of the carcass of steers finished on confinement. We used 24 steers, crossbred Charolais x Nellore, with initial age of 22 months of initial body weight 353.2 ± 10.6 kg. The animals were fed a diet with roughage: concentrate 40,2:59,8, and the volume consisting of sorghum silage. The daily intakes of DM and CP were not influenced by sources of carbohydrates. Animals fed soybean hulls had higher intake of NDF and ADF, whereas calves receiving corn consumed higher levels of NFC, and TDN ED. Animals fed corn or soybean hulls had greater weight gain and better feed conversion than steers receiving wheat bran. The slaughter weight was similar between the sources of carbohydrates, averaging 429.81; 433.18 and 430.46 kg for maize, soybean hulls and wheat bran, respectively. The weight cut sidecut was greater for steers fed corn diet compared with soybean hulls or wheat bran. The meat from the diet with soybean hulls had better flavor compared to the wheat bran. The loss of the cooking liquid and cholesterol content were higher in animals treated with maize as compared to those receiving soybean hulls or wheat bran. There was no effect of carbohydrate sources on the weights of vital organs and blood. The absolute and relative weights to the weight of empty body fat of the intestines and rumen were higher in animals fed with corn. The weight of the omasum was greater for the diet with wheat bran, while animals fed soybean hulls had higher absolute weight of kidney fat. / Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar o efeito de três fontes de carboidratos (milho, casca de soja ou farelo de trigo) na dieta sobre o desempenho, as características da carcaça e da carne e dos componentes não integrantes da carcaça de novilhos de corte terminados em confinamento. Foram utilizados 24 novilhos castrados, mestiços Charolês x Nelore, com idade inicial de 22 meses e peso inicial de 353,2±10,6 kg. Os animais foram alimentados com dieta com relação volumoso:concentrado de 40,2:59,8, sendo o volumoso constituído de silagem de sorgo. Os consumos diários de MS e PB não foram influenciados pelas fontes de carboidratos. Animais alimentados com casca de soja apresentaram maiores ingestão de FDN e FDA, enquanto que os novilhos que receberam milho consumiram maiores teores de CNF, NDT e ED. Animais alimentados com milho ou casca de soja apresentaram maior ganho de peso e melhor conversão alimentar em relação aos novilhos que receberam farelo de trigo. O peso de abate foi similar entre as fontes de carboidratos, com médias de 429,81; 433,18 e 430,46 kg, para o milho, casca de soja e farelo de trigo, respectivamente. O peso do corte costilhar foi maior para os novilhos alimentados com milho em comparação a dieta com casca de soja ou farelo de trigo. A carne proveniente da dieta com casca de soja apresentou melhor palatabilidade em relação à do farelo de trigo. As perdas de líquidos à cocção e o conteúdo de colesterol foram maiores na carne dos animais tratados com milho em relação aos que receberam casca de soja ou farelo de trigo. Não houve efeito das fontes de carboidratos sobre os pesos dos órgãos vitais e de sangue. Os pesos absolutos e relativos ao peso de corpo vazio dos intestinos e da gordura ruminal foram maiores nos animais alimentados com milho. O peso de omaso foi maior para a dieta com farelo de trigo, enquanto que os animais alimentados com casca de soja apresentaram maior peso absoluto de gordura renal.