Uso de la leguminosa (Vigna sinensis) como complemento del pollo en una fórmula infantil / Use of cowpea (Vigna sinensis) as a chicken complement in an infant formula

Las leguminosas mundialmente representan una fuente proteica importante. En Venezuela generalmente se preparan en el hogar y son consumidas por los adultos como sopa o guiso, mientras que los niños las consumen muy poco. A los fines de incorporar leguminosas en la alimentación de niños se realizó el presente trabajo utilizando fríjol (Vigna sinensis), como complemento del pollo en una fórmula nutricionalmente adaptada a los requerimientos de niños. Se desarrollaron varias formulas y en base a su aceptabilidad se seleccionaron tres. La primera constituida principalmente por pollo como fuente proteica, en la segunda se sustituyó parcialmente el pollo por frijol, y en la tercera solo se usó frijol. Otros ingredientes fueron: arroz, auyama (Cucurbita máxima), zanahoria, y algunos condimentos. Se realizó el análisis proximal, calidad proteica (relación de eficiencia proteica y digestibilidad) y evaluación sensorial (escala hedónica de 7 puntos). La composición proximal fue similar en las tres fórmulas: proteína (3,5 por ciento), grasa (1,3 por ciento) y carbohidratos (19,7 por ciento), con una buena distribución del aporte energético (98,9 kal o 413,8 kJ por 100g). La calidad de la proteína en la fórmula pollo-frijol fue superior a la de frijol, al igual que la digestibilidad. La aceptabilidad con las madres fue mayor en la fórmula pollo-frijol que en la de frijol. La aceptabilidad de la formula pollo-frijol con los niños fue de 77 por ciento (escala hedónica facial) y 92 por ciento (midiendo consumo). La fórmula pollo-frijol por su alta aceptabilidad y buena calidad proteica; podría ser incluida en los almuerzos de los hogares de cuidado de niños institucionalizados.

Legumes represent an important protein source worldwide. In Venezuela, they are generally prepared at home and are consumed by adults, as soup or stew, while children eat them in very small quantities. In order to include legumes in the children’s diet, the following work was done using cowpea (Vigna sinensis) as an complement of chicken in the preparation of a nutritionally balanced formula, adapted to the requirements of children. Several formulas were developed and three of them were selected based on their acceptability. In the first formula, the protein source was only of chicken. In the second formula, the chicken was partially substituted by cowpea, and in the third formula, the protein source was only made of cowpea. Other formula ingredients included rice, pumpkin (Curcubita maxima), carrot and some seasonings. Proximal analysis, protein quality (as protein efficiency ratio and protein digestibility) and sensory evaluation (7-point hedonic scale) were performed on the formulas. The proximal composition was similar in the three formulas: protein (3.5 percent), fat (1.3 percent) and carbohydrates (19.7 percent), with a good distribution of the energy contribution (98,9 kcal/100g or 413,8 kJ/100g). The protein quality and protein digestibility were higher for the chicken-cowpea formula than for the cowpea one. The acceptability with the mothers was higher for the chicken-cowpea formula than for the cowpea one. The acceptability of the chicken-cowpea formula with children was 77 percent (7-point hedonic facial scale) and 92 percent (measuring consumption). Due to the high acceptability and good protein quality, the chicken-cowpea formula could be included in the lunch meal of the children in daycare homes.

[Use of cowpea (Vigna sinensis) as a chicken complement in an infant formula]. / Uso de la leguminosa (Vigna sinensis) como complemento del polio en una fórmula infantil.

Legumes represent an important protein source worldwide. In Venezuela, they are generally prepared at home and are consumed by adults, as soup or stew, while children eat them in very small quantities. In order to include legumes in the children's diet, the following work was done using cowpea (Vigna sinensis) as an complement of chicken in the preparation of a nutritionally balanced formula, adapted to the requirements of children. Several formulas were developed and three of them were selected based on their acceptability. In the first formula, the protein source was only of chicken. In the second formula, the chicken was partially substituted by cowpea, and in the third formula, the protein source was only made of cowpea. Other formula ingredients included rice, pumpkin (Curcubita maxima), carrot and some seasonings. Proximal analysis, protein quality (as protein efficiency ratio and protein digestibility) and sensory evaluation (7-point hedonic scale) were performed on the formulas. The proximal composition was similar in the three formulas: protein (3.5%), fat (1.3%) and carbohydrates (19.7%), with a good distribution of the energy contribution (98.9 kcal/100 g or 413.8 kJ/100 g). The protein quality and protein digestibility were higher for the chicken-cowpea formula than for the cowpea one. The acceptability with the mothers was higher for the chicken-cowpea formula than for the cowpea one. The acceptability of the chicken-cowpea formula with children was 77% (7-point hedonic facial scale) and 92% (measuring consumption). Due to the high acceptability and good protein quality, the chicken-cowpea formula could be included in the lunch meal of the children in daycare homes.

Hacia un programa de promoción del consumo de frutas y verduras en Venezuela / Towards a program to promote fruit and vegetable consumption in Venezuela

Según la OMS/FAO el bajo consumo de frutas y verduras (F&V) es uno de los factores de riesgo de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ENT), representando las principales causas de mortalidad en Venezuela. Las F&V han estado ausentes de los programas y políticas de salud pública para prevención primaria de ENT, si bien las guías alimentarias recomiendan su consumo. Los programas orientados a aumentar la accesibilidad de los alimentos en general tampoco han contemplado componentes dirigidos a fomentar el consumo de F&V. Esto hace de Venezuela un país de múltiples oportunidades para la creación de un programa exitoso de promoción de consumo de F&V que abre la posibilidad de un modelo tipo ®5 al día¼. Para presentar un panorama general de los avances y sensibilización para la creación de un programa de promoción de F&V, se hace una revisión de diversas actividades para impulsar su creación, promoción y estrategia de comunicación.