Submitted in full compliance with the requirements for a Master’s Degree in Technology: Nursing, Department of Community Health Studies at the Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Purpose: Breastfeeding is a key child survival strategy important for the long-term health of both the mother and child. The number of women in paid employment has increased exponentially, yet very few of these women continue breastfeeding as recommended by the World Health Organisation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the factors affecting breastfeeding practices in the workplace. Objectives of the study are to: 1: Describe managers’ attitudes to and knowledge about providing breastfeeding support. 2: Identify mothers’ attitudes towards breastfeeding and the workplace environment. 3: Describe the practices of the breastfeeding mothers in the workplace. 4: Identify factors that influence breastfeeding practices within the workplace environment Method The theoretical frameworks adopted were the Situation- Specific Theory of Breastfeeding and the BASNEF model. The frameworks together with the literature review provided the background which informed this study. The research was a case study of two multi -national companies in Durban, KwaZulu Natal; participants were mothers and managers in the companies. Purposive sampling was used for selecting eight women who participated in the focus groups, two follow up interviews were conducted and five managers were interviewed. Data collection techniques also included a reflexive journal and field observation. After a thorough review of the data, the main themes which emerged were used to guide the discussion and answer the objectives of the study. Results The two companies reflected a scenario of pressures in the workplace environment affecting women’s choices regarding combining work and breastfeeding; societal pressures were dictating acceptable behaviour. Breastfeeding was not a priority for employers, no breastfeeding policy existed. Breastfeeding mothers were isolated and employers and employees were not engaging on the issue. Conclusions and Recommendations Simple enabling factors within the workplace would allow mothers, their infants and employers to enjoy the benefits of supporting breastfeeding in the workplace; this would be a win-win situation. Government, non-governmental organisations and society have a responsibility to overtly protect, support and promote breastfeeding in society and in the workplace.

Aim. The aim of this study was to document and provide a critical analysis of the South African Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) development process, and to assess the appropriateness of the proposed South African FBDGs. To achieve this aim, specific study objectives included the following : (1) To document and critically analyse the South African FBDGs process in relation to the 10-step development process recommended by the FAO/WHO. (2) To assess the appropriateness of the proposed South African FBDGs in terms of consumer comprehension (perceptions, general understanding and specific interpretations), and application of the guidelines (ability to apply the guidelines when planning a typical day' s meals for their families). (3) To assess the compatibility of the proposed South Africa FBDGs in terms of food categorisation as perceived by consumers, and as depicted in the food guides that are commonly used. Methodology. An extensive literature review on the development of international dietary guidelines, the emergence of FBDGs and the FAO/WHO FBDGs process, together with documentation of the South African FBDGs process, was used to critically analyse the process used for developing the proposed South African FBDGs. Focus group discussions (n=15) and structured individual interviews (n=230) were held in ten magisterial districts within KwaZulu Natal (KZN), randomly selected according to settlement strata (rural, urban informal, urban formal) and ethnicity (Black, Indian, White) to reflect the KZN population. Participants were women with no formal nutrition training, who made the food purchasing and preparation decisions in the household. A total of 103 women participated in the focus group discussions and 230 women in the structured individual interviews. Results. The process followed by the SA FBDG Work Group has ensured that the proposed South African FBDGs are country-specific in that each FBDG is evidence-based and relates to specific nutrition-related public health concerns of South Africans. Except for the "Eat healthier snacks" FBDG, participants understood and interpreted the FBDGs as intended by health professionals, and could construct a day's meals to reflect the FBDGs. Only two other FBDGs were identified as confusing in terms of terminology used, namely, "legumes" and "foods from animals". By rewording these guidelines the FBDGs would be highly compatible in terms of personal food categorisation. Use of food guides was low, mainly due to a lack of knowledge about how to use them. In terms of food categorisation as depicted by the reportedly most commonly used food guides (3- and 5- Food Group Guides), these food guides are incompatible with the proposed FBDGs. Conclusions. Within the South African context, the FAO/WHO FBDGs development process was feasible and practical to implement. However, to ensure sustainability of the South African FBDGs process, it is strongly recommended that the Department of Health appoint a representative scientific committee specifically for the purpose of reviewing and reformulating the South African FBDGs. Results indicate that a single set of FBDGs can be appropriate for all South Africans provided that certain guidelines are reworded as suggested; and that all the guidelines are accompanied by explanatory information citing commonly consumed foods/drinks as well as practical examples of how to apply the guidelines in light of perceived barriers. In terms of the appropriateness of food guides commonly used in South Africa, there is a need to either move away from the concept of food groups and/or to develop a new South African food guide that is compatible with the proposed FBDGs. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

What can we learn from the programmes which have attempted to improve the conditions of an estimated 190 million children around the world who are chronically undernourished? It is evident from the literature that there is a dramatic increase in the risk of death amongst malnourished children, many of whom die from minor diseases which become fatal in the presence of malnutrition. Implementation of successful nutrition programmes seems to be an effective way of not only preventing the waste of human resources which are vital for development but also as an empowering process for communities to solve their own problems and ensure sustainable development. In addition, improved nutrition is viewed as a means to ensure the rights of children to life and an improved quality of life. At the same time it is regarded as a way of saving scarce resources which would have been spent on malnourished children and instead to spend the money in other sectors of the economy. A review of different nutrition related programmes revealed that there is no "magic bullet" for solving nutrition related problems in different communities. However, there are basic elements which need to be considered if successful and sustainable implementation of nutrition related programmes is desired. This exploratory study aims at increasing the understanding of some of the elements which enhanced successful implementation processes of the Child Survival, Protection and Development (CSPD) programme in two regions of Tanzania, namely Mara and Singida. In order to accomplish the study a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. Districts and villages involved in the study were randomly selected. The study revealed that there were eight main elements which enhanced implementation of the programme in the two regions. The elements included awareness, training, commitment, appropriate structures, an effective monitoring system, good leadership, adequate linkage with other programmes and positive outcomes within a reasonable time. Furthermore itwas found that no single element was enough on its own to facilitate adequate implementation ofthe programme and hence the combination of the elements was an important factor. Finally, recommendations are provided on how to incorporate the elements effectively into the implementation of the nutrition related programmes in order to ensure success and sustainability. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

The study found that there is marked poverty in Lekoko village, and that food security is lacking. Purchasing power of household commodities and consumables is observed to be non-existent. Agriculture as a form of food security has eluded many because of drought. All those who practised subsistence fanning are unable to do so. Food security is greatly impaired; the people cannot access sufficient aid and nutritious food. This includes the problem of food production, preservation and storage. The projects and programmes initiated by the Government to alleviate poverty do not reach the people. Substantial changes are needed to expedite the distribution of food Production resources. Formal and informal institutions should be involved in bringing about transformation of the structures, which are currently blocking the socio-economic. Premium access to information and social networks as well as to the State should be improved. The onus rests with extension officers to support the people and bring about generation of livelihoods with institutional reform to reduce vulnerability and risks. / M.A. (Peace Studies and International Relations) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Murdoch University, 2007. / Thesis submitted to the Division of Arts. Includes bibliographical references (p. 417-436).

Thesis (doctoral)--University College London, 1996. / BLDSC reference no.: DX223936.

Thesis (doctoral)--Delhi School of Economics, 1980. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 202-221).

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2010.

Master of Science / Department of Food Science / Delores H. Chambers / Background: The US Food and Drug Administration proposed various updates to the nutrition fact panel, which included change to font, type size, addition of nutrients, and declaring absolute values. The rational was the new panel will provide consumers with more accurate and clear information, which may result in better food choices. Objective: This study examines whether participants perception of nutrient information and/or sensory properties will change based on proposed nutrition panel display format. Design: An online questionnaire was developed, and participants were randomized and selected to view the current nutrition label or the proposed nutrition label. The questionnaire was divided into three parts; (1) demographic information, (2) questions related to specific items of interest on the nutrition panel, (3) responses to questions after viewing each of five different food labels. Subjects/Setting: US food shoppers over 18 years of age who read food labels (n=1221) completed the online questionnaire. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of participants demographic information. A Chi-square test were applied to test for significant differences between the current and proposed nutrition panels. Results: The study reveals that the top items of interest and importance viewed on both the proposed and current nutrition panel were similar. More than 30 percent of participants selected added sugar, sugar, and sodium, may affect sensory characteristic. The nutrition panels showed distinct differences in descriptive attributes across the five food categories, and significant differences between the current and proposed labels included “too sweet,” “nutritious,” “healthy,” “nutrient dense,” “balanced nutrition” and “artificial”. Conclusion: Consumers’ perceptions are impacted with the proposed nutrition panel. This study emphasized that consumers may be unclear about the labeling of added sugar. Government agencies, industry and those who impact health care will need to provide additional education to make sure consumers are clear about the labeling of added sugar.

This dissertation is a study of the ambit of the right to food as it is contained in the South African Bill of Rights and the steps needed to realise the right. Existing and potential food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition provide the social context for this research. The rationale for conducting the research is primarily two-fold. Firstly, the access to sufficient food is an indispensable right for everyone living in this country. Secondly, the right to food in South Africa has not been subject to extensive academic study to date. Socio-economic rights are fully justiciable rights in this country, equally worthy of protection as civil and political rights. Furthermore, socio-economic rights (like the right to food) are interdependent with civil and political rights: neither category can meaningful exist without realisation of the other. The right to sufficient food is found in section 27(1)(b) of the South African Constitution. Children have the additional right to basic nutrition in terms of section 28(1)(c). The right to sufficient food is subject to the internal limitation of section 27(2) that the state must take reasonable measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of the right. Furthermore, as with all rights in the Bill of Rights, both these rights are subject to the general limitations clause found in section 36. There is international law authority in various human rights instruments for the protection of the right to food and what the right entails. In accordance with section 39 of the Constitution, such international law must be considered when interpreting the right to food. It is argued that a generous and broad interpretation of food rights in the Constitution is called for. Existing legislation, state policies and programmes are analysed in order to gauge whether the state is adequately meeting its right to food obligations. Furthermore, the state’s food programmes must meet the just administrative action requirements of lawfulness, reasonableness and procedural fairness of section 33 of the Constitution and comply with the Promotion of Just Administrative Justice Act. The dissertation analyses the disparate and unco-ordinated food and law policies in existence, albeit that the National Food Security Draft Bill offers the hope of some improvement. Particular inadequacies highlighted in the state’s response to the country’s food challenges are a lack of any feeding schemes in high schools and insufficient food provision in emergency situations. Social assistance grants available in terms of the Social Assistance Act are considered due to their potential to make food available to grant recipients. On the one hand there is shown to be a lack of social assistance for unemployed people who do not qualify for any form of social grant. On the other hand, whilst presently underutilised and not always properly administered, social relief of distress grants are shown to have the potential to improve access to sufficient food for limited periods of time. Other suggested means of improving access to sufficient food are income generation strategies, the introduction of a basic income grant and the creation of food framework legislation. When people are denied their food rights, this research calls for creative judicial remedies as well as effective enforcement of such court orders. However, it is argued that education on what the right to food entails is a precondition for people to seek legal recourse to protect their right to food. Due to a lack of case authority on food itself, guidance is sought from the findings of South Africa’s Constitutional Court in analogous socio-economic rights challenges. Through this analysis this dissertation considers the way forward, either in terms of direct court action or via improved access to other rights which will improve food access.