ABSTRACT This study developed and evaluated infant – feed composite complementary food made from locally available foods which was fed to infants 6-12 months of age. Dried Moringa oleifera leaf was the fortificant. Yellow maize grains were fermented for 48h and oven – dried. Soybean seeds were boiled for 1h, dehulled and oven-dried. Moringa oleifera leaves were shade-dried. All the food materials were milled into fine flours. The proximate, energy, mineral and β-carotene contents of the ...
ABSTRACT Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) has been demonstrated to have numerous benefits both to the mother and the infant. Inappropriate feeding practices can have profound consequences for the growth, development and survival of infants and children. EBF protects infants against infections such as respiratory infections, diarrhoea and reduces the risk of the mother developing obesity, breast and ovarian cancer among others. Despite various efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding, the rate ...
Abstract This study assessed the nutritional status and cognitive performance of preschool children aged 3-5 years in urban and rural areas of Nsukka in Enugu State, Nigeria. A total of 400 pre-school children aged 3-5 years were involved. Four schools in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State were selected by multistage sampling technique. Two schools each were randomly selected from the list of schools in the Nsukka rural and urban areas. The study collected data on child related fact...
ABSTRACT The study examined the chemical composition of fresh, sundried tender leaves and husks of cowpea ‘Adengee’ (Vigna unguiculata) and organoleptic attributes of their traditional soups. Information on processing, preparation and utilization of soup meals based on cowpea leaves and husks were obtained during the focus group discussion. The tender leaves and husks were parboiled and sundried. Proximate, micronutrients, phytochemicals and antinutrient levels were determined using stan...
Abstract This study evaluated the effects of different domestic food processing techniques on the nutrients, antinutrients, food toxicants composition, functional properties, microbial types and sensory properties of food products based on two varieties of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus). Black and dark red varieties of lima bean were purchased, cleaned, cooked, soaked, dehulled, germinated, fermented and milled into fine flours. Both the unprocessed and processed flours were analysed for micr...
ABSTRACT This study determined the chemical composition and organoleptic attributes of three selected vegetables consumed in Njikoka local government area, Anambra state, Nigeria. The vegetables used for the study were Ipomea batatas, Portulaca olercea and Corchorus tridens purchased from local market in Enugwu- Ukwu, Njikoka local government area, Anambra State, Nigeria. The vegetables were processed (sun and shade dried). The fresh samples served as the controls. Nine yam dishes based on f...
ABSTRACT This study assesses the nutritional status and traditional foods of indigenous people in two communities in Abia State. As a result of the high rate of food insecurity within the indigenous people, local food resources required investigation to identify food use. Secondly to develop food based strategies to combat malnutrition. The study also assesses some indigenous foods with a focus on their seasonality and attributes in two communities in Abia State. It determines the food c...
ABSTRACT Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common haemoglobinopathy that is acquired by inheriting the defective gene from both parents. In recent years, it has become an important public health issue among people of African descent especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, SCD occurs in almost 1 in 50 (2%) of all births annually. The disease is characterised by chronic haemolytic anaemia, vaso-occlusion and inflammation. These events increase the resting energy expenditure o...
ABSTRACT Background: The high prevalence of overweight and obesity is reported to be a major contribution to the increased level of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana. It has been reported that 80% of premature deaths from NCDs can be prevented through known dietary and life style interventions. A recent survey indicates that 18% of Ghanaians have been diagnosed with at least one NCD, with 45% of this number receiving dietary and life style interventions. The effectiveness of these int...
ABSTRACT Background: Vegetarianism is the restriction of diet to disallow some or all foods of animal origin and consuming mainly foods of plant origin. There is paucity of data on dietary intakes of vegetarians in Ghana Vegetarian diets are typically low in certain micronutrients particularly iron, zinc and vitamin B12 but high in dietary fibre, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. The low intake of these micronutrients may affect the serum micronutrient profile of vegetarians. Folate and ...
ABSTRACT Background: Obesity is a complex, heterogeneous group of disorders that is determined by genes, environmental factors and interaction between genes and environment. Several studies have all established associations of certain candidate genes to obesity and their variations with respect to race, geographical location/country of origin. A study of this nature to investigate the relationship between some of these selected genes and obesity has not yet been conducted in Ghana. Aim: The a...
ABSTRACT The complexity in measuring feeding practices makes it difficult to study the relation between infant feeding practices and other characteristics. This cross-sectional study carried out in Upper Manya Krobo District (UMKD) among 260 children aged 6-23 months (mo) was aimed at understanding the association between infant and young child feeding index (ICFI), the nutritional knowledge of the care-giver and the nutritional status of children in UMKD. A structured questionnaire was used...
ABSTRACT Background: Vegetable oils are used either in the raw state or heated in the preparation of foods worldwide. Due to the nutrition transition, there is increased demand for fast cooked foods or convenience foods which involves the use of heated and repeatedly heated oils. Research has demonstrated that high temperature cooking with oils can result in the formation of mutagenic compounds that on consumption may induce the development of cancers. This study aimed at determining the muta...
ABSTRACT Background: Wholly plant-based diets have been reported to have many beneficial outcomes. In some studies, higher circulating levels of free androgens have been suggested to increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Men are reported to have lower levels of the sex hormone-binding globulin which may increase in response to oestrogen and decrease in response to androgens. The vegetarian diet consisting of vegetables and legumes and particularly soy products, are rich in phytoest...
ABSTRACT Background: During critical illness, the body goes through hypermetabolic stress which can lead to serious complications when not immediately reversed. Nutrition support in the form of enteral nutrition is provided to help the body recover. Commercial formulas have been designed to cater for nutrient needs of the critically ill however, due to financial costs and tolerability on the part of patients, hospital-prepared enteral feeds are provided. Some studies have focused on the ben...