Acceptance of an orange-fleshed sweet potato complementary food by infant caregivers in KwaZulu-Natal Province ­ a preliminary study

Background. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem that affects South African children and is a major contributor to the mortality of children under five years of age. VAD can result in visual impairment, diarrhoea and increased risk of severe measles and death. Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), a staple crop biofortified with provitamin A, has the potential to improve vitamin A intake in infants, especially when used as a complementary food.Objective. To assess the acceptance of an OFSP complementary food by infant caregivers.Methods. This study was conducted at the Newtown Community Health Centre, Inanda, in the eThekwini District of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Sixty-three infant caregivers assessed the acceptance of complementary foods made from OFSP and white-fleshed sweet potato (WFSP) (control), using a five-point hedonic rating test. In addition, ten caregivers participated in two focus group discussions, using pre-determined questions.Results. There were no statistically significant differences in the sensory attribute ratings of complementary foods made from WFSP and OFSP. The OFSP complementary food was well-accepted, especially its colour and soft texture. None of the focus group discussion participants had seen or tasted the OFSP before. Caregivers were willing to buy the OFSP, if it were available and cheaper than the WFSP.Conclusion. The complementary food made from the OFSP was highly acceptable to infant caregivers attending the Newtown Community Health Centre in KZN. It has the potential to be used in complementary feeding and to improve the vitamin A status of infants

Dietary Intake and Metabolic Control of Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Aged 6-10 Years in KwaZulu-Natal

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the dietary intake and metabolic control of children with type 1 diabetes. Design: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out. Subjects: A total of 30 subjects whose ages ranged from six to ten years were included in the study. Setting: The study was conducted at the Paediatric Diabetic Clinics at Grey's Hospital; Pietermaritzburg and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH); Durban; in KwaZulu-Natal. Outcome measures: Dietary intake was assessed using a three-day dietary record. Metabolic control was assessed using glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Results: The mean percentage contributions of macronutrients to total energy as determined by the three-day dietary records were as follows: carbohydrate - 52; added sucrose - 2; protein - 16; fat - 32. The mean intakes were similar to the recommendations of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) Consensus Guidelines (2002). Micronutrient intake was generally adequate. The mean latest glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) for the sample as at the time of the study was 9.7. Five of the thirty subjects had HbA1c values that were within the recommended levels for children with type 1 diabetes. Conclusions: The macronutrient intake in this sample was found to be similar to the ISPAD Consensus Guidelines (2002) while micronutrient intake was adequate in most cases. Overall the sample had poor metabolic control