INTRODUÇÃO: As doenças do aparelho circulatório são a principal causa de morte no Brasil, e a região Sul apresenta a maior proporção de óbitos por esta causa de morte. A adolescência é a fase em que o padrão de estilo de vida se encontra em estruturação, repercutindo no risco do desenvolvimento das doenças cardiovasculares na vida adulta. Dentre os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares, o consumo alimentar é considerado um forte preditor de risco. O conhecimento sobre as recomendações dietéticas é considerado um preditor significativo da mudança do comportamento alimentar. OBJETIVOS: verificar a presença de fatores de risco cardiovascular e o nível de conhecimento nutricional em adolescentes do ensino médio de escolas públicas estaduais de Porto Alegre/RS, descrever as características sóciodemográficas dos participantes do estudo, identificar fatores condicionantes socioeconômicos e ambientais para o desenvolvimento das doenças cardiovasculares e avaliar a prevalência de pré-hipertensão e hipertensão. MÉTODOS: foram avaliados os seguintes fatores de risco cardiovascular: fumo, excesso de peso, adiposidade abdominal, pressão arterial, nível de atividade física e hábito alimentar. Para a avaliação do conhecimento nutricional, foi desenvolvido um questionário baseado no Guia Alimentar da População Brasileira, sendo o conhecimento classificado como alto ou baixo. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 763 alunos com idade média de 16,5 anos (±1,2), sendo a maioria solteiros (98%) e 56,5% do sexo feminino. Aproximadamente 70% referiram ser brancos. Mais da metade encontra-se na classe econômica B. As mães com escolaridade >8 anos representam 59% e entre os pais esse valor cai para 52,8%. Menos de 1% foram classificados como desnutridos e 26,7% como excesso de peso, sendo 17,8% sobrepeso e 8,9% obesidade. A adiposidade abdominal foi encontrada em 13,7% dos estudados. A prevalência de pré-hipertensão e hipertensão foi de 4,7% e 17,6%, sendo significativamente maior entre os meninos. O fumo foi referido por 8,5%. Cerca de 30% apresentaram baixo nível de atividade física, sendo os meninos significativamente mais ativos. Em torno de 16% apresentaram consumo alimentar elevado e 46% excessivo de alimentos considerados marcadores de risco cardiovascular. A regressão de Poisson revelou que a prevalência de hipertensão esteve fortemente associada ao sexo, ao excesso de peso e à idade. O questionário de conhecimento desenvolvido apresenta validade interna e verificou que mais de 80% dos adolescentes apresentaram alto nível de conhecimento. Níveis mais elevados de conhecimento foram verificados entre os que cursavam as séries finais do ensino médio e entre os que apresentavam menor consumo de alimentos considerados preditores potenciais das doenças coronarianas. O gosto do alimento foi considerado o determinante mais importante da escolha alimentar. CONCLUSÕES: A identificação precoce da exposição a fatores de risco cardiovascular na população jovem é fundamental para a elaboração de estratégias de prevenção. Modificações de estilo de vida que reduzam a exposição a fatores de risco, incentivem a prática de atividade física, promovam hábitos alimentares saudáveis e, consequentemente ocasione a redução de peso, são alternativas de alcançar a redução dos níveis pressóricos. Como o comportamento alimentar impacta diretamente na saúde, torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento de estratégias de intervenção nutricional efetivas visando a mudança de práticas alimentares inadequadas e que propiciem qualidade de vida em longo prazo para essa população. / BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Brazil, and South has the highest proportion of deaths from this cause of death. Adolescence is the stage where the standard of lifestyle is being structured, reflecting the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Among the risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease, food consumption is considered a strong predictor of risk. The knowledge about dietary recommendations is considered a significant predictor of eating behavior. OBJECTIVES: To verify the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and the level of nutritional knowledge among high school students from state schools in Porto Alegre / RS, describe the sociodemographic characteristics of study participants to identify socioeconomic and environmental factors responsible for the development of diseases cardiovascular and assess the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension. METHODS: We evaluated the following cardiovascular risk factors: smoking, overweight, abdominal obesity, blood pressure, physical activity level and eating habits. For the assessment of nutrition knowledge, a questionnaire was developed based on the Food Guide of the Brazilian population, and knowledge classified as high or low. RESULTS: A total of 763 students with an average age of 16.5 years (± 1.2), mostly unmarried (98%) and 56.5% female. Approximately 70% reported being white. More than half is in economy class B. The mothers with schooling> 8 years and 59% among parents this figure falls to 52.8%. Less than 1% were classified as malnourished and 26.7% as overweight, and 17.8% overweight and 8.9% obese. The abdominal fat was found in 13.7% of their subjects. The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 4.7% and 17.6%, being significantly higher among boys. The smoke was reported by 8.5%. About 30% had low levels of physical activity, boys are significantly more active. Approximately 16% had high dietary intake and 46% of foods considered excessive cardiovascular risk markers. Poisson regression showed that prevalence of hypertension was strongly associated with sex, excess weight and age. The knowledge questionnaire developed internal validity and has found that more than 80% of adolescents had a high level of knowledge. Higher levels of knowledge were observed among those attending the final grades of high school and among those with lower consumption of foods considered potential predictors of coronary heart disease. The taste of food was considered the most important determinant of food choice. CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of exposure to cardiovascular risk factors in young people is fundamental to the development of prevention strategies. Lifestyle changes that reduce exposure to risk factors, encourage physical activity, promote healthy eating habits and consequently caused a reduction of weight, are alternatives to achieve the reduction of blood pressure. As the feeding behavior directly impacts on health, it becomes necessary to develop effective nutrition intervention strategies aimed at changing dietary practices that provide inadequate and quality of life in long-term for this population.

INTRODUÇÃO: As doenças do aparelho circulatório são a principal causa de morte no Brasil, e a região Sul apresenta a maior proporção de óbitos por esta causa de morte. A adolescência é a fase em que o padrão de estilo de vida se encontra em estruturação, repercutindo no risco do desenvolvimento das doenças cardiovasculares na vida adulta. Dentre os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares, o consumo alimentar é considerado um forte preditor de risco. O conhecimento sobre as recomendações dietéticas é considerado um preditor significativo da mudança do comportamento alimentar. OBJETIVOS: verificar a presença de fatores de risco cardiovascular e o nível de conhecimento nutricional em adolescentes do ensino médio de escolas públicas estaduais de Porto Alegre/RS, descrever as características sóciodemográficas dos participantes do estudo, identificar fatores condicionantes socioeconômicos e ambientais para o desenvolvimento das doenças cardiovasculares e avaliar a prevalência de pré-hipertensão e hipertensão. MÉTODOS: foram avaliados os seguintes fatores de risco cardiovascular: fumo, excesso de peso, adiposidade abdominal, pressão arterial, nível de atividade física e hábito alimentar. Para a avaliação do conhecimento nutricional, foi desenvolvido um questionário baseado no Guia Alimentar da População Brasileira, sendo o conhecimento classificado como alto ou baixo. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 763 alunos com idade média de 16,5 anos (±1,2), sendo a maioria solteiros (98%) e 56,5% do sexo feminino. Aproximadamente 70% referiram ser brancos. Mais da metade encontra-se na classe econômica B. As mães com escolaridade >8 anos representam 59% e entre os pais esse valor cai para 52,8%. Menos de 1% foram classificados como desnutridos e 26,7% como excesso de peso, sendo 17,8% sobrepeso e 8,9% obesidade. A adiposidade abdominal foi encontrada em 13,7% dos estudados. A prevalência de pré-hipertensão e hipertensão foi de 4,7% e 17,6%, sendo significativamente maior entre os meninos. O fumo foi referido por 8,5%. Cerca de 30% apresentaram baixo nível de atividade física, sendo os meninos significativamente mais ativos. Em torno de 16% apresentaram consumo alimentar elevado e 46% excessivo de alimentos considerados marcadores de risco cardiovascular. A regressão de Poisson revelou que a prevalência de hipertensão esteve fortemente associada ao sexo, ao excesso de peso e à idade. O questionário de conhecimento desenvolvido apresenta validade interna e verificou que mais de 80% dos adolescentes apresentaram alto nível de conhecimento. Níveis mais elevados de conhecimento foram verificados entre os que cursavam as séries finais do ensino médio e entre os que apresentavam menor consumo de alimentos considerados preditores potenciais das doenças coronarianas. O gosto do alimento foi considerado o determinante mais importante da escolha alimentar. CONCLUSÕES: A identificação precoce da exposição a fatores de risco cardiovascular na população jovem é fundamental para a elaboração de estratégias de prevenção. Modificações de estilo de vida que reduzam a exposição a fatores de risco, incentivem a prática de atividade física, promovam hábitos alimentares saudáveis e, consequentemente ocasione a redução de peso, são alternativas de alcançar a redução dos níveis pressóricos. Como o comportamento alimentar impacta diretamente na saúde, torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento de estratégias de intervenção nutricional efetivas visando a mudança de práticas alimentares inadequadas e que propiciem qualidade de vida em longo prazo para essa população. / BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Brazil, and South has the highest proportion of deaths from this cause of death. Adolescence is the stage where the standard of lifestyle is being structured, reflecting the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Among the risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease, food consumption is considered a strong predictor of risk. The knowledge about dietary recommendations is considered a significant predictor of eating behavior. OBJECTIVES: To verify the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and the level of nutritional knowledge among high school students from state schools in Porto Alegre / RS, describe the sociodemographic characteristics of study participants to identify socioeconomic and environmental factors responsible for the development of diseases cardiovascular and assess the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension. METHODS: We evaluated the following cardiovascular risk factors: smoking, overweight, abdominal obesity, blood pressure, physical activity level and eating habits. For the assessment of nutrition knowledge, a questionnaire was developed based on the Food Guide of the Brazilian population, and knowledge classified as high or low. RESULTS: A total of 763 students with an average age of 16.5 years (± 1.2), mostly unmarried (98%) and 56.5% female. Approximately 70% reported being white. More than half is in economy class B. The mothers with schooling> 8 years and 59% among parents this figure falls to 52.8%. Less than 1% were classified as malnourished and 26.7% as overweight, and 17.8% overweight and 8.9% obese. The abdominal fat was found in 13.7% of their subjects. The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 4.7% and 17.6%, being significantly higher among boys. The smoke was reported by 8.5%. About 30% had low levels of physical activity, boys are significantly more active. Approximately 16% had high dietary intake and 46% of foods considered excessive cardiovascular risk markers. Poisson regression showed that prevalence of hypertension was strongly associated with sex, excess weight and age. The knowledge questionnaire developed internal validity and has found that more than 80% of adolescents had a high level of knowledge. Higher levels of knowledge were observed among those attending the final grades of high school and among those with lower consumption of foods considered potential predictors of coronary heart disease. The taste of food was considered the most important determinant of food choice. CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of exposure to cardiovascular risk factors in young people is fundamental to the development of prevention strategies. Lifestyle changes that reduce exposure to risk factors, encourage physical activity, promote healthy eating habits and consequently caused a reduction of weight, are alternatives to achieve the reduction of blood pressure. As the feeding behavior directly impacts on health, it becomes necessary to develop effective nutrition intervention strategies aimed at changing dietary practices that provide inadequate and quality of life in long-term for this population.

INTRODUÇÃO: As doenças do aparelho circulatório são a principal causa de morte no Brasil, e a região Sul apresenta a maior proporção de óbitos por esta causa de morte. A adolescência é a fase em que o padrão de estilo de vida se encontra em estruturação, repercutindo no risco do desenvolvimento das doenças cardiovasculares na vida adulta. Dentre os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares, o consumo alimentar é considerado um forte preditor de risco. O conhecimento sobre as recomendações dietéticas é considerado um preditor significativo da mudança do comportamento alimentar. OBJETIVOS: verificar a presença de fatores de risco cardiovascular e o nível de conhecimento nutricional em adolescentes do ensino médio de escolas públicas estaduais de Porto Alegre/RS, descrever as características sóciodemográficas dos participantes do estudo, identificar fatores condicionantes socioeconômicos e ambientais para o desenvolvimento das doenças cardiovasculares e avaliar a prevalência de pré-hipertensão e hipertensão. MÉTODOS: foram avaliados os seguintes fatores de risco cardiovascular: fumo, excesso de peso, adiposidade abdominal, pressão arterial, nível de atividade física e hábito alimentar. Para a avaliação do conhecimento nutricional, foi desenvolvido um questionário baseado no Guia Alimentar da População Brasileira, sendo o conhecimento classificado como alto ou baixo. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 763 alunos com idade média de 16,5 anos (±1,2), sendo a maioria solteiros (98%) e 56,5% do sexo feminino. Aproximadamente 70% referiram ser brancos. Mais da metade encontra-se na classe econômica B. As mães com escolaridade >8 anos representam 59% e entre os pais esse valor cai para 52,8%. Menos de 1% foram classificados como desnutridos e 26,7% como excesso de peso, sendo 17,8% sobrepeso e 8,9% obesidade. A adiposidade abdominal foi encontrada em 13,7% dos estudados. A prevalência de pré-hipertensão e hipertensão foi de 4,7% e 17,6%, sendo significativamente maior entre os meninos. O fumo foi referido por 8,5%. Cerca de 30% apresentaram baixo nível de atividade física, sendo os meninos significativamente mais ativos. Em torno de 16% apresentaram consumo alimentar elevado e 46% excessivo de alimentos considerados marcadores de risco cardiovascular. A regressão de Poisson revelou que a prevalência de hipertensão esteve fortemente associada ao sexo, ao excesso de peso e à idade. O questionário de conhecimento desenvolvido apresenta validade interna e verificou que mais de 80% dos adolescentes apresentaram alto nível de conhecimento. Níveis mais elevados de conhecimento foram verificados entre os que cursavam as séries finais do ensino médio e entre os que apresentavam menor consumo de alimentos considerados preditores potenciais das doenças coronarianas. O gosto do alimento foi considerado o determinante mais importante da escolha alimentar. CONCLUSÕES: A identificação precoce da exposição a fatores de risco cardiovascular na população jovem é fundamental para a elaboração de estratégias de prevenção. Modificações de estilo de vida que reduzam a exposição a fatores de risco, incentivem a prática de atividade física, promovam hábitos alimentares saudáveis e, consequentemente ocasione a redução de peso, são alternativas de alcançar a redução dos níveis pressóricos. Como o comportamento alimentar impacta diretamente na saúde, torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento de estratégias de intervenção nutricional efetivas visando a mudança de práticas alimentares inadequadas e que propiciem qualidade de vida em longo prazo para essa população. / BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Brazil, and South has the highest proportion of deaths from this cause of death. Adolescence is the stage where the standard of lifestyle is being structured, reflecting the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Among the risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease, food consumption is considered a strong predictor of risk. The knowledge about dietary recommendations is considered a significant predictor of eating behavior. OBJECTIVES: To verify the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and the level of nutritional knowledge among high school students from state schools in Porto Alegre / RS, describe the sociodemographic characteristics of study participants to identify socioeconomic and environmental factors responsible for the development of diseases cardiovascular and assess the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension. METHODS: We evaluated the following cardiovascular risk factors: smoking, overweight, abdominal obesity, blood pressure, physical activity level and eating habits. For the assessment of nutrition knowledge, a questionnaire was developed based on the Food Guide of the Brazilian population, and knowledge classified as high or low. RESULTS: A total of 763 students with an average age of 16.5 years (± 1.2), mostly unmarried (98%) and 56.5% female. Approximately 70% reported being white. More than half is in economy class B. The mothers with schooling> 8 years and 59% among parents this figure falls to 52.8%. Less than 1% were classified as malnourished and 26.7% as overweight, and 17.8% overweight and 8.9% obese. The abdominal fat was found in 13.7% of their subjects. The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 4.7% and 17.6%, being significantly higher among boys. The smoke was reported by 8.5%. About 30% had low levels of physical activity, boys are significantly more active. Approximately 16% had high dietary intake and 46% of foods considered excessive cardiovascular risk markers. Poisson regression showed that prevalence of hypertension was strongly associated with sex, excess weight and age. The knowledge questionnaire developed internal validity and has found that more than 80% of adolescents had a high level of knowledge. Higher levels of knowledge were observed among those attending the final grades of high school and among those with lower consumption of foods considered potential predictors of coronary heart disease. The taste of food was considered the most important determinant of food choice. CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of exposure to cardiovascular risk factors in young people is fundamental to the development of prevention strategies. Lifestyle changes that reduce exposure to risk factors, encourage physical activity, promote healthy eating habits and consequently caused a reduction of weight, are alternatives to achieve the reduction of blood pressure. As the feeding behavior directly impacts on health, it becomes necessary to develop effective nutrition intervention strategies aimed at changing dietary practices that provide inadequate and quality of life in long-term for this population.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Many low- and middle-income countries are faced with a rise in the double burden of malnutrition - undernutrition and overweight/obesity. Nutrition-related factors contribute to approximately 45% of deaths in children under five years (mainly due to undernutrition) globally, while low- and middle-income countries are simultaneously witnessing a rise in childhood overweight and obesity. In 2016, an estimated 41 million children under the age of five in low- and middle-income countries were overweight or obese, while 155 million were chronically undernourished. In Africa alone, the estimated prevalence of overweight and obese children in 2010 was 8.5%, expected to reach 12.7% in 2020. In comparison, globally, one in nine people are either hungry or undernourished, while one in three people are overweight. / 2024

No description available.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Food Service Management, Dept. of Hospitality and Tourism))--Vaal Univrsity of Technology. / Inadequate food intake and unhygienic practices are usually associated with poor nutrition practices. Malnutrition stems from poor quality and quantity of foods, but is also contributed to by factors of inadequate maternal and child health care, lack of education and information and insufficient health services. The first phase of this study was to assess the nutritional status and nutritional knowledge of primary school children within a peri-urban community, through the implementation of a situational analysis. Validated 24-hour (hr) recall, food frequency (FFQ), nutrition knowledge and health questionnaires were used to conduct the situational analysis of this community. Parents (n=52) representative of 400 (13.0 percent) children voluntarily agreed to participate and 45 children completed the baseline survey. Results indicated a community faced with poverty as unemployment (60.9 percent) was high, education levels amongst the parents ranging between primary (33.3 percent) and secondary school (54.9 percent). The dietary patterns of the children revealed a carbohydrate-based diet with very few (n=2) consuming a variety of fruit and vegetables. Some nutrition knowledge amongst the children was evident, with a mean 60.2 percent in correct answers for the true/false questions. The children within the community were at risk of becoming stunted, with small numbers having deficiencies in iron. Therefore, it was decided to implement a nutrition education programme (NEP) in the second phase of the study to address malnutrition amongst primary school children. The objectives of the second phase were 1) to implement a NEP amongst the primary school children to assess the impact on nutrition knowledge and dietary practice, and 2) to determine the retention of knowledge after nine months and whether any correlation occurred between knowledge and dietary practices. The school environment was chosen to ensure attendance and create a suitable learning environment to which the children were already accustomed. Two groups, namely experimental (n=82) and control (n=91), were assigned for this study. The control group received no form of nutrition education during the intervention period. The experimental group received nine 45 minute lessons over a period of nine weeks. The nutrition education tools (NETs) were made up of a text and activity book, supplemented by a card and board game. Pre- and post-nutrition intervention knowledge and 24-hr recall questionnaires were completed to assess differences in nutrition knowledge and dietary practices between the two groups. The intervention made a significant impact on the nutrition knowledge of the experimental group, with a 13 percent improvement between pre and post results. Topics which required more emphasis included the importance of variety in the diet, the functions and sources of certain nutrients, and the classification of certain food groups and the daily serving requirements. In the long-term evaluation, nutrition knowledge was retained and related to topics of the inclusion of milk and fat on a daily basis, the serving size of starch, dairy products and fruit and vegetables, and the classification of low-fat snack items. Retention of knowledge was poor for the source of vitamin C. A few changes were made in the dietary choices of the children after the intervention, with the inclusion of more carbohydrates and one fruit. During the long-term evaluation, the children included more protein sources, but carbohydrates remained dominant within the Top 20 list. The energy distribution in the long term changed towards more energy being supplied from protein (15.6 percent) and fat (34.4 percent), compared with post results of 13.7 and 25.8 percent respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between the protein intake of the Top 20 list and the question relating to the number of eggs (p=0.00) to be consumed daily, as well as the link between vitamin C (p=0.00) and fruit and vegetable intake. A limitation is that a small number of children (n=27) could not complete the post test, with another 34 children not present to complete the long-term evaluation. The children had very little control of the dietary patterns as their mothers were primarily responsible for food procurement, preparation and feeding. A recommendation is to commence the intervention in the beginning of the year and to consider a co-ordinated approach with parents to encourage dietary changes. / Vaal University of Technology and SANPAD

The bariatric surgery is regarded as the most effective treatment method of dangerous forms of obesity. Since the bariatric surgery is closely related to nutrition, it is thus necessary to emphasize the importance of good nutritional knowledge of patients that have undergone this type of surgery. The aim of this thesis was to examine the nutritional knowledge of patients that are at least one year after the surgery, or reoperation. To get relevant data, patients were examined using an anonymous questionnaire. The survey indicates that the patients have insufficient knowledge regarding the recommended protein intake. Furthermore, the examination exhibited, surprisingly, that men have statistically worse knowledge than women do as well as that the majority of patients does not know what the dumping syndrome is. The survey confirmed that the patients operated more than two and a half years ago have worse nutritional knowledge than the ones operated within such a period of time. Moreover, the examination did not identify problems regarding the correct food preparation, post- operational diet, and inappropriate eatables. In addition, it was discovered that about fifty percent of all the examined patients have sufficient knowledge of the post-bariatric surgery eating habits. Since the importance of...

With the increasing incidence of chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and cardiovascular disease and the growing obesity epidemic, the need to increase nutritional literacy amongst the general public is paramount. Men tend to lack a strong base of nutritional knowledge. Masculinity is one of the factors preventing many men from making good nutritional choices. The aim of this study was to investigate hegemonic masculinity in relation to current level of nutritional knowledge as well as perceptions and attitudes regarding dietary behaviors and intention to eat a healthy diet among a sample of males. A convenience sample of males 18+ (n=87) was categorized according to hegemonic masculinity level by the Masculine Role Inventory. An amended survey gathered information regarding nutritional knowledge level. An original survey gathered information on confidence in one’s nutritional knowledge, intention to eat healthier, and motivation to expand nutritional knowledge. Analyses examined the association between hegemonic masculinity and nutritional knowledge, confidence in nutritional knowledge, intention to change dietary behavior and motivation to learn new nutritional knowledge. No significant association was found between hegemonic masculinity level and nutritional knowledge, confidence, intention, or motivation. The null results can be attributed to the low hegemonic status of the majority of participants. Analyses also examined the relationship between actual nutritional knowledge and confidence in nutritional knowledge. A positive association between higher confidence level and greater nutrition knowledge was found to be significant, p < 0.006. A positive association between higher confidence level and higher levels of motivation to learn new nutritional information was also found to be significant, p < 0.000. The results of this study suggest that an increased level of confidence in nutritional knowledge may be necessary to encourage accumulation of new nutritional knowledge.

MSCPNT / Department of Nutrition / Malnutrition is a problem facing virtually every country in the world. Inappropriate feeding practices such as bottle feeding, early introduction of weaning foods, lack of variety in the diet are a known major cause of the onset of malnutrition in young children. Lack of nutrition knowledge, particularly about feeding practices, is critical as it affects the nutritional status of children. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of caregivers’ nutrition knowledge and feeding practices on the nutritional status of 2 to 5 years old children in the Makhuduthamaga Municipality, South Africa. A crosssectional study with an analytical component was carried out in the Makhuduthamaga Municipality in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. One hundred and twenty children aged 2 to 5 years and their caregivers were conveniently sampled from four villages. A validated questionnaire was used to gather demographic information, caregivers’ nutritional knowledge and feeding practices. Anthropometric measurements taken were weight, height and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of the children as well as weight and height of the caregivers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. Chi-square was used to determine the influence of caregiver’s nutrition knowledge and feeding practices on the nutritional status of children. The significance level was set at p< 0.05. Most caregivers (66.7%) were between the ages of 19 and 35 years. More than half (54.2%) of the children were male. Most of the caregivers (70%) had attended school up to secondary level and only 4.2% had obtained a tertiary qualification. Most of the caregivers (85%) were unemployed. Children were mostly (70.2%) cared for by their biological mothers. Some caregivers reported not to have any source of nutrition education (41.7%), while 43.3% reported that health professionals were their source of nutrition education. Both nutrition knowledge and feeding practices were not satisfactory in the current study. Almost all children (94.2%) were breastfed at some stage in their lives. However, 47.5% were given infant formula while they were still less than six months old. It was found that more than half of the caregivers (62.5%) introduced solids foods before 6 months. Maize meal soft porridge was reported as the main solid food first introduced to 66.7% of the children, followed by infant cereals (25%). Stunting was found in 41.7% of children. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed amongst both caregivers and children. Overweight and obesity prevalent of caregivers was at 30.8%. No significant correlation was observed between the caregivers’ nutrition knowledge, the feeding practices and the nutritional status of children. However, family income showed positive correlation with the nutritional status of children. Nutrition education strategies intertwined with economic empowerment of mothers should be enforced to capacitate caregivers to voluntarily make proper feeding practices. / NRF

MSCPNT / Department of Nutrition / Hypertension remains a major public health problem that needs different comprehensive health strategies to deal with it. Indigenous vegetables, Blackjack in particular, have been shown to possess anti-hypertensive properties that are attributed to bioactive chemical substances such as phytochemicals, fiber, antioxidants as well as micronutrients that include potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, zinc, iron and copper. The use of indigenous vegetables in combination with the conventional hypertension treatment may reduce hypertensive conditions; hence, the purpose of this study was to determine Blackjack nutritional knowledge and consumption by hypertensive patients. A cross-sectional study employing both quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted on 275 hypertensive participants at Mphambo and Mutale Health Centers, Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ Blackjack nutritional knowledge, Blackjack availability around their households as well as their Blackjack consumption patterns and nutritional status. The Blackjack nutritional knowledge data was triangulated with focus group discussions and participants’ nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric and dietary intake methods. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and dietary intake frequency from selected foods was determined. Blood pressure was measured using Microlife automatic blood pressure monitor. The findings indicated that most hypertensive participants had poor knowledge of the nutritional importance of Blackjack and its associated medicinal contribution on hypertension management. Participants were unable to mention different diseases that can be prevented or managed by Blackjack, which was mostly consumed once a week with porridge during the summer season. Hypertensive patients were consuming high amounts of sodium and less amounts of minerals that are known to regulate blood pressure, such as potassium and magnesium. Hypertensive patients had high prevalence of overweight and obesity and most were either in hypertension stage 1 or stage 2. Lack of Blackjack nutritional knowledge may have contributed to a decreased consumption of Blackjack by hypertensive patients. The health professionals should promote the nutritional benefits of Blackjack in rural areas, particularly to hypertensive patients to raise awareness of Blackjack’s benefits in disease prevention and management. / NRF