The Impact of a Nutrition Programme on the Dietary Intake Patterns of Primary School Children

Objective: The aim of this study was to improve the dietary intake patterns and food choices of children aged 9-13 years in a periurban community.Methods: Two schools were randomly selected from within this periurban community. A nutrition education programme was implemented over one school term; with the testing of nutrition knowledge occurring pre- and post-intervention; and in the long term; with the experimental group only. A validated 24-hour recall questionnaire was completed pre- and post-intervention by both the control (n = 91) and experimental groups (n = 81); and in the long term; by the experimental group. Food models were used to assist in the estimation of portion sizes and identification of food items. The questionnaire was analysed using the computer software programme FoodFinder 3; with means and standard deviations calculated for macro- and micronutrients; and comparisons made with dietary reference intakes for specific age groups. A list was drawn up of the 20 most commonly consumed food items; based on weights consumed. Paired t-tests were conducted to assess significance in dietary intake and food choices after the intervention. Correlations between knowledge and dietary choices were determined among the experimental group in the long-term measurements.Results: Correlations linked protein intake to knowledge of proteins; and vitamin C intake to knowledge of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable intake remained very low. Refined sugars and fat were still consumed among the experimental group. The diet for both groups was based on carbohydrates.Conclusions: The objective of changing the dietary intake patterns of the children was not achieved. The intake of legumes; fruit and vegetables remained low. The lack of variety in intake results in a diet that does not meet the daily requirements of children

Consumer Acceptance of Yellow; Provitamin A-Biofortified Maize in Kwazulu-Natal

Objectives: To assess the acceptance of popular maize food products (phutu; thin porridge and samp); prepared with yellow; provitamin A-biofortified maize varieties; in 212 subjects between the ages of three and 55 years; from rural KwaZulu-Natal.Design: A cross-sectional study.Method: Preschool; primary school and secondary school subjects were randomly selected from two primary schools and one secondary school; respectively; while adult subjects constituted a convenience sample. Pre- and primary school children completed a paired preference test. Secondary school and adult subjects completed a five-point facial hedonic and a preference ranking test. Focus group discussions were conducted using adult subjects.Results: Preschool children preferred yellow maize to white maize food products: phutu (81 vs. 19; p-value 0.001); thin porridge (75 vs. 25; p-value 0.001) and samp (73 vs. 27; p-value 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in preference for white and yellow maize by primary school children. Secondary school and adult subjects preferred white maize to yellow maize. Focus group discussions confirmed the preference for white maize by the adultsConclusion: The study findings suggest that yellow; provitamin A-biofortified maize has the potential to succeed as a new strategy of dealing with the serious problem of vitamin A deficiency; especially among children of preschool age. However; in older groups; this strategy is unlikely to be successful; unless other strategies are implemented; including intensive nutrition education programmes on the nutritional benefits of the maize; targeting the market price at which yellow maize is sold; increasing its availability in local grocery stores; and improving its sensory properties through breeding

Factors Affecting Mothers' Choice Ofbreastfeeding Vs. Formula Feeding in the Lower Umfolozi District War Memorial Hospital; Kwazulu-Natal

The aim of this study was to determine which factors influence choice of breast- versus the formulafeeding of infants. This may help to understand where the focus should lie in the promotion of breastfeeding. A structured questionnaire was completed by a 100 women and focus-group discussions were held with 22 women who delivered babies at the Lower Umfolozi District War Memorial Hospital (LUDWM) in Kwazulu-Natal. Most of the mothers (72) chose breastfeeding and 58intended to breastfeed for only 6 months. One-third (33) were influenced by health care professionals and 44of the mothers made their own decisions in their feeding method. Only one participant stated that she chose formula-feeding due to her HIV-positive status; but in the focusgroup discussions; the fear of transmission of HIV through breast-milk was stated as an important reason why mothers chose replacement-feeding. Significantly more HIV-infected than uninfected mothers chose replacement-feeding as the feeding method and mothers who chose breastfeeding were significantly older than mothers who selected replacement-feeding. They made their infantfeeding decision earlier than those who chose replacement-feeding. Findings showed that the majority of women in this study did not have access to running water and flush toilets in their houses. In these areas where replacement-feeding will not be acceptable; feasible; affordable; sustainable and safe; due to lack of sanitation and poor socio-economic status; health professionals should promote exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months; even though there is a high prevalence of HIV infection