bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Tallstick: A Tool for Community-Based Assessment of Nutritional Stunting
Authors: Zeitlin Marian F. , Sockalingam Suganya , Seireg Mirette , Bonilla Josefina
Published: November 2018

A new, simplified anthropometric field tool for detecting nutritional stunting, the “tallstick” has been developed in community-based pilot programmes in Nicaragua and Nigeria. The folding stick, marked to indicate height-for-age cut-off points for ages from birth to seven years below which the child is considered nutritionally stunted, is compared with arm circumference measurements as a simplified field tool. Sensitivity-specificity analyses contrasting the ability of height-for-age and arm-circumference cut-off points to detect malnutrition showed height for age to be as good as arm circumference for detecting low weight for age, weaker for low weight for height, and stronger for a composite score of any degree of malnutrition in 1,070 children 0–72 months old in urban Managua with a prevalence of wasting of 0%–4%, of stunting of 17%–38%, and of underweight of 4%–22%. The importance of detecting stunting, the likelihood of reducing stunting rates, and the feasibility of using the tallstick and its variants are discussed.
Relationships among Dietary Quality, Children's Appetites, Growth Stunting, and Efficiency of Growth in Poor Populations
Authors: Golden Barbara Elaine , Golden Michael Henry Nevin
Published: November 2018

In Jamica, as in other developing countries less well off, the diets of low-income children are low in energy and protein relative to recommended intakes. Dietary intake is further reduced by anorexia which accompanies infections as well as deficiencies of specific essential nutrients in the diet, such as essential amino acids, potassium, phosphorus, or zinc. Imbalanced diets also limit synthesis of lean tissue and result in growth failure. The results of food-supplementation studies in young children in the developing world have indicated little effect on weight or height gain. In spite of being offered large amounts of dietary energy, the children receive far less than intended because of the anorexia caused by infection, specific nutrient deficiencies, and imbalanced diets. Attention should be paid to nutrient balance (quality) as well as nutrient intake (quantity) in both diets and dietary supplements offered to these children.
Quality versus Quantity of Infant Diets: Translating Research into Action
Authors: McGuire Judith
Published: November 2018

This paper discusses briefly the difficulty of translating scientific research findings in nutrition into operational intervention programmes and concludes that the conceptualization, conduct, and dissemination of results of research must be oriented toward the intended uses of the results.

Individuals who work in development agencies often have difficulty using research results. It is not just a question of language or jargon. It is often difficult to see exactly why some findings would make any difference to nutrition programmes. In the typical project-development process, the scientific justification for choosing an intervention is a minor concern to a task manager. He or she must be more concerned with institutional capacity, financing, training supervision, and, of course, getting the loan approved on time. In other words, the process is more important than the content, within an acceptable range. Nonetheless, there are ways to improve the likelihood that scientific research will influence policies and programmes.
An Anthropological Approach to the Study of Food and Health in an Indigenous Population
Authors: Wahlqvist Mark L. , Kouris Antigone , Gracey Michael , Sullivan Helen
Published: November 2018

This study of food and health among Aboriginal Australians 50 years old and over in Western Australia is part of a wider cross-cultural study of food habits and health in later life. It was difficult to use a questionnaire approach with this community because of questions that required an understanding of non-Aboriginal concepts. More valid information was obtained by interviewing key informants and groups of selected elderly Aboriginals, which allowed cross-checking or triangulation to reconstruct the typical diet of the elderly. The quantitative food frequency questionnaire was modified, using rapid assessment procedures (RAP), for use with key informants and at the group level, so as to build a consensus statement about group food-intake patterns. Approximate quantities of foods consumed were judged by observation, weighing of food, and information from key informants. Food quality and quantity of consumption were found to be closely connected to the weekly payment of the pension. Apparent total energy intake was about 4,000 kcal per day, of which sugar, fatty beef, and white flour together provided more than 50%. Dairy products, fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals were eaten in small quantities and not every day. Medical records on 48 elderly subjects indicated a high prevalence of diabetes (27%), heart disease (21 %), hypertension (44%), and obesity (BMI > 30) (14%). Using RAP methodology, it was possible in a short period to ascertain the major nutritional problems and advice that should be provided by nutrition-education programmes.
Lower Prevalence of Diarrhoea in Young Children Fed Lactic Acid-Fermented Cereal Gruels
Authors: Lorri Wilbald , Svanberg Ulf
Published: November 2018

In many developing countries, diarrhoea is one of the major precipitating factors of child morbidity and mortality. It also significantly contributes to the high prevalence of malnutrition in young children. Available information suggests that a major part of all diarrhoea episodes are associated with bacterial contamination of weaning foods. In vitro studies, however, have shown a strong inhibitory effect of lactic acid-fermented weaning gruels on the proliferation of diarrhoea-causing pathogens.

To assess whether this inhibitory effect is reflected by a lower transmission of diarrhoea, a prospective epidemiological study was carried out to measure the prevalence of diarrhoea in a group of young children in Tanzania who were given a lactic acid-fermented cereal gruel on a daily basis.

Two groups of about 100 children under five years of age were selected on the basis of the use or non-use of fermented gruels. The nutrition status of the children in each group, as measured by comparison of their weight for age with the standard, was not statistically different (p > .05). The mean age of the children in the two groups was similar. An average feeding frequency of 3.5 times per day was reported for both groups. Biweekly recall for diarrhoea, defined as watery, loose stools two or more times per day, was conducted for nine months among selected children.

The mean number of diarrhoea episodes over the study period was 2.1 for children eating fermented gruels, compared with 3.5 for those eating non-fermented gruels (p<.001). The frequency of diarrhoea was also age dependent: it was significantly higher in children under three years of age than in older children in both diet groups (p<.001). Fever episodes were reported in similar proportions in both groups, and were significantly related to diarrhoea (p < .001). Other diseases and the children's nutrition status were not related to the frequency of diarrhoea.
Social Marketing: Achieving Changes in Nutrition Behaviour, from Household Practices to National Policies
Authors: Grifiths Marcia
Published: November 2018

A case is made for bringing behaviaural concerns onto a par with epidemiological, economic, and clinical considerations in nutrition programming. Several successful programme examples demonstrate the key role that family behaviour plays in nutrition-status outcome and how modifications in family practices can result in improved nutrition status. The approach used to discover and address behavioural concerns in these programmes was social marketing. The paper describes how social marketing goes beyond communications activities into the design and implementation of all programme components where actions are needed to facilitate beneficial practices. By ensuring that the voice of the client is heard in programme decisions, social marketing assists in bringing programmes closer to community needs and thus enhances the potential for success. A list of recommendations is included for putting a behaviour-change focus into nutrition planning.
Assessment of the Impact of a Hygiene on Environmental Sanitation, Childhood Diarrhoea, and the Growth of Children in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Nasar U. , Zeitlin Marian F. , Beiser Alexa S. , Super Charles M. , Gershoff Stanley N. , Ahmed Manira A.
Published: November 2018

A community-based hygiene intervention was developed and implemented in five villages of lowland Bangladesh with the active participation of members of the target group, with the objective of reducing childhood diarrhoea by altering ground sanitation and personal and food hygiene practices such as the washing of hands with ash before handling food and after defecation-related activities, cutting fingernails, removing faeces from the child's body and from the yard, using tube-well water for preparing baby food, and reducing supplementary feeding contamination by proper cleaning of bottles or avoiding bottle-feeding.

The project area, typical of Bangladesh, was selected because of its pour hygiene and sanitation conditions and its high rates of diarrhoea and malnutrition. Households with children 0–18 months old in five contiguous villages were targeted for the intervention. Households with children in the same age range in a comparison (control) site selected for observational study without intervention were exposed to about the same amount of contact with the researchers.

Baseline surveys of the subset of households with children 9–18 months old were conducted at the control site in July 1985 and at the intervention site in September. The intervention activities were carried out from January to July 1986. A final survey was conducted at both sites in August 1986, using the same questionnaire as for the baseline survey and the children who were then in the same age range, 9–18 months.

Both sites had higher cleanliness scores, lower diarrhoeal morbidity, and better growth status at the end of the study period, but the improvement was greater at the intervention site. The effect at the control site may be attributed to the intensive observation exposures, mothers’ education, and socio-economic conditions of the households, whereas the intervention site effects were most likely due to the intervention activities.

For evaluation of the effect of interventions, the repeat cross-sectional survey may be adequate for measuring relatively stable outcomes such as knowledge and practices, as well as cumulative growth status, but inadequate for fluctuating morbidity.
Vitamin A and Breast-Feeding: A Comparison of Data from Developed and Developing Countries
Authors: Newman Vicky
Published: November 2018

The vitamin A status of lactating women, its effect on the vitamin A content of human milk, and the adequacy of human milk as a source of vitamin A for the infant were assessed, comparing data from developing countries with those from developed countries. The vitamin A concentration in breast milk during the first two weeks of lactation is nearly double that at one month. It is even higher in preterm milk than in term milk during the first several months. Human milk alone provides sufficient vitamin A to prevent clinical deficiency throughout the first 12 months of life, even in presumably more poorly nourished populations in developing countries. However, it is not sufficient to allow liver storage after about six months of lactation.
Red Palm Oil to Combat Vitamin A Deficiency in Developing Countries
Authors: Rukmini C.
Published: November 2018

Red palm oil (RPO), besides providing calorie density to the diet, is also the richest natural source of β-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A and an antioxidant that destroys singlet oxygen and free radicals. Chemical analysis of the fatty acid composition of RPO indicates that it has 50% saturated, 40% mono-unsaturated, and 10% polyunsaturated fatty acids. RPO contains 550 mg/g of total carotenoids, of which 375 mg/g represent β-carotene. It also contains 1,000 mg/g of tocopherols and tocotrienols.

Nutritional values in rats fed 10% RPO in a 10% casein diet were comparable to those fed 10% ground nut oil (GNO) or 10% RBDPO (refined, bleached, deodorized palm oil). Rats fed RPO or RBDPO had significantly lower plasma cholesterol concentrations than those fed GNO. Significant inhibition of micro-somal 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity was observed in the RPO and RBDPO groups, indicating reduced synthesis of endogenous cholesterol. Toxicological studies also indicate that RPO is safe for human consumption. Indian school children fed supplementary snacks prepared with RPO for 60 days had significant increases in serum retinol levels as well as an increased liver retinol store, suggesting the ready bioavailability of β-carotene.
Palm Oil Carotenoids
Authors: May Choo Yuen
Published: November 2018

Crude palm oil is the richest natural plant source of carotenoids in terms of retinol (provitamin A) equivalent. This article reports on » the carotenoids found in palm oil, its fractions, byproducts, and derivatives from the Elaeis guineensis and E. oleifera palms, including their hybrids and a back-cross, as well as the carotenoids of pressed palm fibres, second-pressed oil, palm leaves, and palm-derived alkyl esters; » two novel procedures for preparing highly concentrated sources of carotenoids (>80,000 ppm), by recovery by palm alkyl esters, and by retention and concentration in deacidified and deodorized red palm oil; » the carotenoid content and profiles of the above sources obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography; and » nutritional effects of palm oil carotenoids and their potential applications for health promotion and disease prevention.
Antioxidant and Biological Activities of Palm Oil Vitamin E
Authors: Serbinova Elena A. , Packer Lester
Published: November 2018

The present study assessed the antioxidant properties of α -tocopherol, α -tocotrienol, and palm oil vitamin E, which contained 45% tocopherols and 55% tocotrienols. When vitamin E-deficient rats were fed either α -tocopherol- or α -tocotrienol-enriched diets, α -tocotrienol accumulated in the hearts and liver more slowly than α -tocopherol. The rate of lipid peroxidation induced in vitro in heart homogenate from rats supplemented with α -tocotrienol was approximately two-thirds as high as that from rats with an equivalent concentration of α -tocopherol. Thus palm oil vitamin E may be more efficient than α -tocopherol alone in protecting the heart against injury from ischaemia and reperfusion. In addition, supplementation with α -tocopherol or α -tocotrienol protects skeletal muscles against exercise-induced increases in protein oxidation Thus palm oil vitamin E protects biological systems against both lipid and protein oxidation.
Food Uses of Palm Oil in China
Authors: Weuxun Fan , Xiaoshu Chen
Published: November 2018

In recent years China has emerged as a major importer of Malaysian palm oil in the form of its «liquid» fraction, palm olein. It is now widely used in the Chinese food industry, particularly in the manufacture of instant noodles, snack foods, milk powder, margarine, and shortening. Although palm olein is widely used throughout the tropics as a cooking oil in household kitchens, its high melting point makes it unsuitable for this purpose in the temperate and northern regions of China. However, this problem can be overcome by blending appropriate proportions of palm olein with other locally available vegetable oils.

Recent research has shown palm oil to be a safe and versatile edible oil with beneficial effects, and its use can be expected to increase if greater publicity can be given to its nutritional and technical advantages.
An Eight-Stage Process for National Nutrition Development
Authors: Tontisirin Kraisid , Attig George A. , Winichagoon Pattanee
Published: November 2018

In the context of the eight major themes proclaimed at the Rome meeting of the International Conference on Nutrition in 1992, an eight-stage process incorporated thematic components into the development agendas of developing nations. The eight progressive stages, which are presented here in the context of Thailand's experiences, are recognition that nutrition is a national (or community) problem, a systematic national (community) nutrition assessment, building a critical mass around prime movers, gaining political and social commitment, taking concrete steps toward creating intersectoral collaboration and planning, expanding awareness and initiating action, integrating nutrition into social and health development efforts, and designing programmes that improve people's quality of life by involving community members as agents of change, not simply passive receivers of government services.
Men in the Food Chain: Reasons for Similarities and Dissimilarities between Asian and African Households
Authors: Wandel Margareta
Published: November 2018

The nutritional well-being of households of developing nations depends on the work and decisions around numerous food-related activities that are carried out by household members. It often relies on the cooperation among the members, particularly between spouses. Numerous review articles have been written about women's role in food-related activities. It is also important to shed more light on men's role with regard to food and nutrition in Asian and African households. This study is based on the existing literature on gender relations in activities concerning food.
Early Feeding Practices and the Nutrition Status of Preschool Children in Rural Hubei Province, China
Authors: Chen Jing , Taren Douglas
Published: November 2018

A nutrition surveillance survey was conducted in June 1990 in four poor rural counties of Hubei Province, China, that included 25 villages and 3,564 children, to determine early feeding practices and the nutrition status of preschool children. Data were collected through interviews, anthropometric measurements, analysis of haemoglobin values, and physical examinations. More than 90% of the infants under 6 months of age were being breast-fed, as were approximately 75% of those 12 months old and 26% of those 24 months old. A trend to introducing solid foods into children's diets at younger ages appeared to have occurred between 1984 and 1988; only 15% of the children ate solid food at 6 months of age and 58% at 12 months in 1984, compared with 23% and 78% respectively in 1988. The children's anthropometric measurements were comparable to international standards for the first months of life, and then weight-forage and height-for-age Z scores deviated negatively. Physical examinations suggested that several micronutrient deficiencies might be present The data also indicated that during a time of sweeping economic changes and expanded health care availability, breast-feeding was maintained, food was introduced into the diets of children at younger ages, and acute malnutrition was not common.
Haematological Status of Preschool and School-Age Children in Urban and Rural Areas of Guatemala
Authors: Romero-Abal María Eugenia , Bulux Jesús , Mendoza Ivan , Grazioso Carlos , Solomons Noel W.
Published: November 2018

We studied the prevalence of low haematocrit values (defined as <38%) in 1,253 children from urban and rural areas of Guatemala, to examine any urban-rural or age-related trends. Though the crude prevalences of low haematocrit for all the children showed a significant difference between urban and rural residents, the significance disappeared when these values were adjusted for differences in the age profiles of the two groups. As expected, preschool children had significantly more low haematocrits (32.0%) than school-age children (6.0%) (p < .05). Ferritin levels were available for 35.9% of the preschool children (one urban and one rural location); of these, 51.8% had levels below 12 mg/l, indicating iron deficiency. These values were used to determine the predictive value of haematocrit compared with ferritin values, and the cut-off at which haematocrit reaches optimum sensitivity and specificity to diagnose iron depletion. A cut-off of 39% had a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 45% in urban preschoolers, and a cut-off of 38% had a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 42% in rural preschoolers.
Nutrients and Some Anti-Nutrients in Horsegram (Macrotyloma Uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.)
Authors: Sudha N. , Begum J. Mushtari , Shambulingappa K. G. , Babu C. K.
Published: November 2018

Proximate nutrients, calcium, and some anti-nutrients in 16 varieties of whole horsegram and their dehulled seeds were estimated The protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents were higher in the dehulled samples than in the corresponding whole horsegram However, the moisture, fibre, ash, and calcium contents of the dehulled samples were lower. A significant portion of the anti-nutrients studied were removed by dehulling.
Nutrition Surveillance Bangladesh: A Useful Tool for Policy Planning at the Local and National Levels
Authors: Bloem Martin W. , Hye Abdul , Gorstein Jonathan , Wijnroks Marijke , Hall Gillian , Matzger Helen , Sommer Alfred
Published: November 2018

As a response to the inability of both governmental and non-governmental organizations to provide vital information during the floods of 1987 and 1988 in Bangladesh, a nutrition surveillance system (the NSP) was established in April 7990. This is a collaborative effort that involves international and indigenous non-governmental organizations and the government of Bangladesh, and is coordinated by Helen Keller International and funded by the US Agency for International Development. During the past three years the NSP has demonstrated an ability to provide regular and dependable information on the prevalence of undernutrition and morbidity in children under five years of age, household socioeconomic characteristics, food prices, and the extent of distress at household and community levels from data collected every two months by NGOs and the government in selected rural districts and urban slums in all regions of the country.

The system was established as a bottom-up surveillance system based on NGO-specific teams with a continuous central quality control system to ensure the collection of reliable data. The NSP has proved to be an excellent tool for policy makers from several sectors, involving health, agriculture, and food aid The NGOs use it for the continuous monitoring of their development programmes and to identify mechanisms through which services can be delivered most effectively. Regional-level analyses evaluated the impact of the universal vitamin A capsule distribution programme. After the cyclone of 1991, the NSP demonstrated its flexibility by expanding rapidly to cover affected districts and provide pertinent information to those involved in relief efforts. Most recently, the NSP has provided information on the role of food prices on nutrition status and assisted the Ministry of Food in its decision-making. The model is worthy of consideration for replication in other countries in the world.
The Consequences of Seasonal Food Insecurity for Individual Food-Consumption Patterns in North-Western Benin
Authors: Van Liere M. J. , Ategbo E-A. D. , Den Hartog A. P. , Hautvast J. G. A. J.
Published: November 2018

Qualitative and quantitative dietary patterns were studied as indicators of seasonal changes in household food security in north-western Benin. These studies were carried out at both the individual level (women) and the intra-household level (husbands, wives, children 2–5 years old). Dietary changes between the intermediate period (April) and the pro-harvest period (August) included increased consumption of pulses and tubers, which compensated for a decrease in cereal consumption, and increased consumption of gifts, purchased foods, and wild foods as distinguished from foods from the household's own production. The adequacy of children's energy and protein intakes increased in the pre-harvest season, whereas those of the parents decreased Children and adults had same patterns with regard to the contribution of different food groups, except that children ate more pulses and less tubers than their parents in the pre-harvest season.
Income and Food-Consumption Behaviour in China: A Structural - Shift Analysis
Authors: Ma Haijiang , Popkin Barry M.
Published: November 2018

The nutrition transition in China has proceeded to the extent that the food -consumption behaviour of low-income and high-income groups is different. Failure to consider these differences could lead to inappropriate assumptions about some basic food policy issues. This analysis was undertaken using a sample of adults 1850 years old from the 1991 China Health and Nutrition Survey. Low-income families have a greater propensity to increase or decrease fat and calorie intakes than high-income families. This difference has important, policy implications and shows why it should be considered in making decisions regarding consumption behaviour. Selecting the appropriate income switching or cut-off point is central to capturing this structural difference.
Amylase Activity of Some Roots and Sprouted Cereals An Beans
Authors: Manna Khin Maung , Naing Khin Maung , Pe Hla
Published: November 2018

Locally available cereals, beans, and roots that can be used as amylase-rich food (ARF) were studied Three types of beans-green mung beans, black mung beans, and soya beans-and three types of common cereals-paddy, glutinous rice, and corn (maize)- were germinated, dried, and powdered, and their amylase activity was studied at 30°C, 60°C, 70°C, 80°C, and 90°C. Three types of roots-sweet potato, dasheen tare, and potato-were cut into small pieces, dried, and powdered, and their amylase activity studied at the same temperatures. Five grams of powder prepared from germinated paddy, glutinous rice, corn, or green mung beans were mixed with 95 g of rice powder to get 100 g of mixed powder. Gruels containing 25% solid were prepared from the mixtures, and their viscosity was measured Gruels containing ARF prepared from germinated corn had the lowest viscosity, and, as the amylase activity of germinated corn is not destroyed at high temperatures, it may be the most suitable ARF in rice-eating countries.
Amylase-Treated Rice Flour Oral Rehydration Solution with Enhanced Energy Density. Ii. in Vivo Studies of Tolerance, Energy Intake, and Rehydration Efficacy in the Initial Treatment of Dehydrated Diarrhoeic Children
Authors: Vettorazzi Carolina , Mazariegos Manolo , Molina Susana , de Ramirez Isabel , Solomons Noel W.
Published: November 2018

In a companion paper we described the feasibility of liquefying high concentrations of rice flour with amylase to produce enhanced oral rehydration solutions (ORS) with suitably lower viscosities to remain drinkable. This offers a means of orally rehydrating patients, while eliminating much or all of the caloric deficit imposed by conventional, dilute, glucose-based ORS. To explore whether humans would tolerate these solutions, 63 dehydrated diarrhoeic children were randomly assigned to one of three four-hour oral treatments: ORS with 5% rice flour, 10% rice flour incubated with -amylase, or 15% rice flour incubated with -amylase. The sodium and potassium concentrations of the solution as well as the osmolality and viscosity were within the desired ranges. On average, the children consumed 70 ± 26%, 90 ± 28%, and 80 ± 45% of the respective ORS, equivalent to intakes of 8 ± 4, 23 ± 9, and 33 ± 18 kcal/kg/4 hours, respectively. The mean increases in weight in four hours were 1.1%, 2.7%, and 1.6%, respectively. The concept of enhanced energy content of ORS based on amylasetreated rice flour appears to be ready for exploration in clinical field trials.
Selection of Culturally Sound Home Fluid Management of Infantile Diarrhoea in Rural Mexico
Authors: Martínez Homero , Meneses Luz María , Bernard H. Russell , Pelto Pertti J.
Published: November 2018

An ethnographic study was conducted in 12 villages located in the central highland plateau of Mexico to explore mothers’ practices for the management of acute diarrhoea, in order to identify a fluid that could be safely used as a rehydration solution for the sick child. Teas were reported to be used by 90% of 142 mothers interviewed, while rice-based beverages, which included rice water and rice gruel, were used by 77% of them; another 19% said they would accept using rice-based beverages if advised to do so. A key difference was that teas were mainly used as a treatment to stop diarrhoea, while rice-based gruels were used as a palliative to soothe the child. Rice-based beverages were selected to be further tested as a likely rehydration solution, as mothers reported using them longer than teas during the diarrhoeal episode. Their use was not subject to a complicated system of specific remedies for particular types of disease, as was the case with herbal teas. They were widely accepted and compliance was expected to be greater than with teas, as there was no expectation that rice-based beverages would shorten the duration of diarrhoea. The preparation of rice-based beverages was assessed in those mothers who mentioned using it. Fifty-nine percent of mothers used a concentration of rice between 40 and 70 g/L, which was deemed to be safe, as previous studies had successfully used 50 g/L for oral rehydration solutions.
Promotion of Oral Rehydration Therapy Comparing a Homemade Rice-Powder Gruel and Oral Rehydration Salts
Authors: Martínez Homero , Bojalil Rossana , Guiscafré Héctor
Published: November 2018

Characteristics of the use of two oral rehydration solutions [rice-based gruel (RBG) or oral rehydration salts (ORS)] were assessed in 162 mothers of children under five years of age who presented a first episode of diarrhoea during the study period, in 12 rural villages of Central Mexico. Eighty-six mothers lived in six villages randomly assigned to receive the RBG promotion and 76 lived in six villages assigned to receive the ORS promotion. The intervention strategy, relying on face-to face contact by health auxiliaries who teach mothers about the dangers of dehydration, how to recognize it, and how to prepare and feed an oral rehydration solution, closely resembled that used by the National Program for the Control of Diarrheal Diseases. Before the intervention, 42% of all mothers used RBG and 58% used ORS; 8% of mothers who used RBG and 18% of those who used ORS used the beverage for rehydration purposes. After the intervention, in the villages where RBG was promoted, 57 (66%) of the mothers used RBG and 14 (16%) used ORS. In the villages where ORS was promoted, 9 (12%) of the mothers used RBG and 58 (76%) used ORS. In both groups, all mothers used at least one other beverage (usually herbal tea) during diarrhoea. but the promoted beverages were used first The use of the promoted beverage was higher when mothers had used it before the intervention. Eighty-six percent of mothers who prepared RBG used the promoted concentration of ingredients, whereas all mothers who prepared ORS correctly diluted one package in 1 L of water. After the intervention, 54% and 67% of mothers said they used RBG and ORS specifically to prevent dehydration.
Development of Weaning Foods Based on Malted, Popped, and Roller-Dried Barley and Chickpea
Authors: Wondimu Asrat , Malleshi Nagappa G.
Published: November 2018

The optimum conditions for malting barley and chickpea were standardized, and a malted weaning food (MWF) formulation was prepared by blending 48-hour germinated barley and 24-hour germinated chickpea flours. Decorticated barley was mixed with 7% additional water, tempered for four hours, and popped in hot sand medium. Popped barley was mixed with popped chickpea to formulate popped weaning food (PWF). Flours from decorticated and mild toasted barley and chickpea were mixed with water and the slurry was roller dried to prepare the roller-dried weaning food (RWF). The food formulations consisted of 60% processed barley, 30% chickpea, 5% skim milk powder, and 5% cane sugar. Popped and roller-dried weaning foods were mixed with 5% malted barley flour to prepare the low-dietary-bulk formulations of popped weaning food with malt (PWFM) and roller-driea weaning food with malt (RWFM). The protein content of the formulations ranged from 14.8% to 15.6%. The viscosity of the cooked paste of MWF, MWFM, and RWFM, was much lower than that of DWF and RWF at all comparable slurry concentrations. The energy content of the gruels of MWF, MWFM, and RWFM at spoon-feeding consistency was about 1.1 kcal/g. The protein efficiency ratio (2.6–3.1), biological value (93–97), true digestibility (85–87), and net protein utilization (79–84) of the formulations indicated good growth-promoting quality of the food proteins.
Rapid Assessment Procedures for the Health and Nutritional Profile of Adolescent Girls: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Mathur Pulkit , Sharma Sushma , Wadhwa Arvind
Published: November 2018

We developed and tested tools for the rapid appraisal of the health and nutrition profile of adolescent girls (11 14 years). The sample consisted of 80 girls, their mothers (n=61) or married older sisters (n=3), 6 village-level workers, their helpers, and four doctors in Ladosarai village in Delhi, India. Girls carried out rapid assessment exercises for mapping food intake and occurrence of diseases according to season, and actively participated in focus group discussions. They also ranked their families accurately according to relative wealth. There was no significant difference between the mean nutrient intakes obtained by the conventional and modified rapid assessment 24-hour recall (p>.05). The rapid assessment methodology not only helped save survey time but also added depth and gave new insights into the girls’ hearth and nutrition problems and perceptions.
Mothers’ Knowledge, Understanding, and Use of the Bubble Chart in a Rural Area of Central Mexico
Authors: Martínez Homero , de Chávez Miriam Muñoz , Guarneros Noé , Ríos Alicia , Chávez Adolfo
Published: November 2018

The bubble chart is a growth chart that has a vertical layout rather than the more common horizontal one, and bubbles instead of cries-crossing lines. The present project aimed to evaluate knowledge, understanding, and use of the bubble chart by 85 mothers living in a rural area of central Mexico. The evaluation was done with a pre-intervention post-intervention design, and was based on Bloom's taxonomy of the learning process, which defines a sequence that goes from knowledge to understanding (comprising translation, interpretation, and extrapolation), and finally to application. All areas evaluated showed an increase between pre-intervention and post-intervention, with a statistically significant (p <.05) increase in knowledge, interpretation, and application; the mothers ranked highest in knowledge. The children's nutritional status increased significantly (p <.0001) between pre-intervention and post-intervention. Except for one child, they had at least one period of weight loss during the study period. However, 81% of them gained weight most of the time (i.e., at least two-thirds of records showed weight increments), 7% maintained their weight most of the time (at least two-thirds of weight records showed neither gain nor loss), and 12% lost weight most of the time (at least two-thirds of records showed weight loss). Mothers of children who mostly gained weight had higher knowledge, understanding, and application scores (p <.01). Similarly, these mothers were most likely to perform all the activities promoted as part of the growth programme (p <.001).
Effects of Breakfast on Classroom Behaviour in Rural Jamaic An Schoolchildren
Authors: Chang Susan M. , Walker Susan P. , Himes John , Grantham-McGregor Sally M.
Published: November 2018

The effects of giving breakfast on classroom behaviour were examined in 57 undernourished (<= - 1 SD weight-for-age) and 56 adequately nourished (L-I SD weight-forage) children, selected from four rural Jamaican schools. Using a time-sampling method of observation, the children's behaviour was observed twice, once after receiving breakfast and once after receiving a piece of fruit. The impact of breakfast varied among the schools but not between nutritional groups. In the school that was best equipped and organized, the children were more attentive (p <.005) and moved less (p <.05) when they received breakfast than when they had no breakfast. In the other three schools there was no improvement; in two of these schools, the children were less on task when given breakfast (p <.02 and p < .01), and they talked more in one school (p <.05). This suggests that school breakfast may only benefit children's behaviour in the presence of satisfactory classroom infrastructure.
Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value of Some Wild-Gathered Tropical Plant Seeds
Authors: Ezeagu Ikechukwu E. , Metges Cornelia C. , Proll Jürgen , Petzke Klaus J. , Akinsoyinu Akintunde O.
Published: November 2018

As part of the search for alternative sources of food to alleviate hunger, this study reports the approximate total contents of soluble sugars, starch, and gross energy of nine lesser-known wild-gathered plant seeds. High crude protein levels occurred in Lonchocarpus sericeus (28.03%), Albizia zygia (32.90%), and Gliricidia septum (34.15%). High levels of fat occurred in Entandrophragma angolense (59.30%), L. sericeus (34.15%), and Millettia thonningii (30.66%). Low levels of crude protein but high levels of total carbohydrate were found in Diospyros mespiliformis (77.21% carbohydrate), Daneillia ogea (74.32% carbohydrate), and Afzelia belle (53.96% carbohydrate). Starch contents were high in A. zygia (40.46%), D. ogea (69.62%), and A. belle (51.43%). The seeds with high fat content invariably showed high gross energy levels: E. angolense (30.9 kJ/g), L. sericeus (24.37 kJ/g), and M. thonningii (25.12 kJ/g). The results are compared to those for soya bean and other common staples. It is concluded that these less familiar wild seed plants should not be ignored, but further investigation into possible toxic and antinutrient factors, amino acid patterns, digestibility, and fatty acid composition is still required before recommendations are made.
Breast Development and Control of Milk Synthesis
Authors: Hartmann Peter E. , Owens Robyn A. , Cox David B. , Kent Jacqueline C.
Published: November 2018

We have developed a computerized breast measurement system that can quantitate both long-term (lactation cycle) and short-term (between breastfeedings) changes in breast volume. The increase in breast volume during pregnancy was not related to milk production at one month of lactation, whereas milk production from one to six months of lactation remained constant and was not controlled directly by the suckling-evoked secretion of prolactin. From the measurement of circadian changes in breast volume, it was concluded that infants rarely emptied the breasts at a single breastfeeding and that short-term variation in the rate of synthesis during the day and between the left and right breasts was closely related to the degree of breast fullness. Furthermore, differences between women in the storage capacity of the breasts dictated their flexibility in frequency of breastfeeding. These observations are consistent with the autocrine (local) control of milk synthesis during established lactation in women.
Constituents of Human Milk
Authors: Prentice Ann
Published: November 2018

Breastmilk contains all the nutrients required by the newborn baby. It also contains non-nutritional components that may promote infant health, growth, and development, such as antimicrobial factors, digestive enzymes, hormones, trophic factors, and growth modulators. In some situations, breastmilk may also contain harmful components, such as pollutants, drugs, allergens, and viruses. Human milk has a unique composition, which differs from that of other mammals in its ingredients and their concentrations.

Breastmilk composition is not constant and varies with stage of lactation, breastfeeding pattern, season, and parity. It also differs among individuals and among communities, for reasons that are not well understood. Maternal nutrition is an obvious candidate, but the situation is complex. Supplementation studies and cross-cultural comparisons have demonstrated that the total concentrations of fat, protein, and lactose are relatively insensitive to current dietary intake and nutritional status, whereas the fatty acid profile and the concentrations of several micronutrients, particularly water-soluble vitamins, are responsive to maternal diet.

For many infants, nutrient intake from breastmilk becomes insufficient after four to six months, and other foods should be added to the diet. Nevertheless, breastmilk can continue to be a valuable nutrient source and to provide non-nutritional factors even for older children. Consequently, breastfeeding for one to two years as part of a mixed diet has many advantages, particularly for children living in impoverished circumstances.
Social and Biological Determinants of Lactation
Authors: Villalpando Salvador , Flores-Huerta Samuel , Lopez-Alarcon Mardia , Cisneros-Silva Ignacia
Published: November 2018

During the last decades breastfeeding rates have fallen to such a level that at least one million infant deaths annually have been attributed to the replacement of breastfeeding by formula-feeding. After the recent World Summit for Children, unprecedented efforts were targeted to reverse this trend. The evolution of breastfeeding patterns and related practices in Mexico is presented as a case study. Before the Baby-Friendly Hospital initiative, the rate of breastfeeding initiation and the average breastfeeding duration in Mexico were among the lowest in developing countries. The use of formula in hospitals was common. Knowledge about breastfeeding and awareness of its advantages were low among the public and health professionals. The International Code related to breastmilk substitutes became law, and the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative was included in the National Plan for Health in 1991. Formula manufacturers decided voluntarily to stop advertising their products. After five years, several surveys show noticeable changes in hospital policies and practices regarding breastfeeding promotion and improvement in the rate of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity. Total duration of breastfeeding, public awareness, and mothers’ knowledge about the basics of breastfeeding are increasing. Despite continued inadequate post-partum support and counselling, and an inconsistent effectiveness in conveying to the public the benefits of breastfeeding, progress has been made in the last five years and will be reflected in improved infant health in the near future.
Protective Effect of Breastmilk against Infection
Authors: Howie Peter W.
Published: November 2018

There is strong evidence that breastfeeding protects infants against infection in environments where clean water cannot be guaranteed, leading to substantial reductions in morbidity and mortality. This is particularly evident in the protection against gastrointestinal disease, although there is also evidence for protection against respiratory infection and otitis media. The evidence for a protective effect of breastfeeding against infection in developed countries has been more controversial, with criticisms being levelled at the methodology of many studies. Evidence is presented from a study in a developed country that met key methodological criteria to show that breastfeeding for 13 weeks offers substantial and continuing protection against gastrointestinal illness. Smaller, but still potentially important, protective effects against respiratory illness also occur. The results add strong support to policies that promote breastfeeding in both developed and developing countries.
Breastfeeding Child Development
Authors: Pollitt Ernesto , Kariger Patricia
Published: November 2018

The literature reviewed in this article suggests that breastfeeding positively influences cognitive development. Studies comparing the effects of early feeding methods on cognition consistently show mental test score advantages for breastfed infants over bottlefed subjects. Also, breastfeeding may function as a buffer against adverse developmental outcomes from early traumatic events such as low birthweight or neurologic insults. It is recognized that breastmilk contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that are necessary for the normal development of the retina and cerebrum. Yet, breastfeeding may not always promote optimal development in children. Infants breastfed by mothers using alcohol or marijuana have lower scores on developmental tests. Thus, while breastfeeding has the potential for contributing to the healthy development of infants, it may also be capable of transferring toxic substances known to interfere with normal development.
The Cultural Context of Breastfeeding and Breastfeeding Policy
Authors: Van Esterik Penny
Published: November 2018

Breastfeeding is not instinctive behaviour but is dependent on learning and is, therefore, influenced by social and cultural factors. Thus, the social sciences as well as the biological sciences should be engaged in explanatory research about breastfeeding To rebuild breastfeeding cultures to protect, support, and promote breastfeeding a biocultural model of breastfeeding and child care that takes a broader view of culture must be developed: a view that attends more to differences than similarities, that provides more detailed contingencies of context, that is more sensitive to the forces that constrain women's lives, and that can be more directly linked to policy-making. This article explores the interdisciplinary nature of breastfeeding research and suggests some areas where anthropological theory and method could be put to better use to ask new research and policy questions about breastfeeding
Experience of International Food and Nutrition Initiatives for Developing Countries
Authors: Besrat Abraham
Published: November 2018

The contribution of the United Nations University over the past two decades to institutional capacity-building for research and high-level training in the area of food and nutrition for developing countries stands out prominently among international and bilateral agencies. More than 600 researchers and young scientists, accounting for about 44% of all UNU fellowships awarded, have received postgraduate training in this area. Nearly 70% of the fellowships were hosted at UNU-associated institutions located in industrialized and developing countries. Reflecting UNU's interest in promoting cooperation in the South-South context, a little over one-half of the fellowships awarded for postgraduate research and training have been implemented in developing-country institutions. Training provided in developing countries offers the fellows the opportunity to work on problems that are comparable to those in their home countries and also bolster the standing of the training institution as an important regional centre. The UNU effort in capacity-building has been relatively successful in Latin America and Asia, where key regional and national institutions have been involved in the UNU fellowship programme. The results in Africa have been less successful, because the lack of independent university nutrition programmes has made it necessary to depend too much on government research institutions.