African Journals Online
African Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences
Volume 1 No. 1 August 2001
Abstracts
RESEARCH
INSECT AND MYCOFLORA INTERACTIONS
IN MAIZE FLOUR
M. F. Simpanya, Joseph Allotey* and Sisai Mpuchane
Abstract
Maize flour treated with or without Tribolium
castaneum was investigated for the presence of some fungi. Fusarium
moniliforme had the highest occurrence of 36.7%, 28.1% and 33.3% while
Aspergillus. flavus/parasiticus had a frequency of 3.2%, 3.1% and
3% on primary isolation media of czapek dox agar (CDA), potato dextrose
agar (PDA) and sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) respectively, in maize flour
without T. castaneum. The frequency of F. moniliforme
reduced in maize flour with T. castaneum to 11.1%, 12.1% and
18.8% on CDA, PDA and SDA while A. flavus/parasiticus increased
in occurrence after introducing T. castaneum to 22.2%, 18.2% and
12.3% on the three respective media. Fourteen and 7 fungal genera were
isolated from maize flour with and without F. castaneum respectively.
Two fungal species isolated from maize flour without T. castaneum
were Cladosporium cladosporioides and C. lunata. Ten
species isolated from maize flour with T. castaneum were
A. pullulans, Auxarthron spp., C. herbarum, Eurotium sp.,
Phoma glomerata, Neosauorya spp., Scopulariopsis brevicaulis,
Rhizopus oryzae, R. stolonifer and Wallemia sebi. These results
suggest an association and a synergistic interaction between important
spoilage and mycotoxigenic fungi with T. castaneum such
as A. flavus/parasiticus and some mildly parasitic fungal colonies
but an antagonistic interaction with F. moniliforme.
Keywords: Tribolium castaneum; storage fungi;
synergistic/antagonistic interactions; mycotoxins.
POLICIES (GLOBALIZATION)
GLOBALIZATION AND HUMAN NUTRITION: OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS FOR THE
POOR IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Per Pinstrup-Andersen and Julie Babinard
ABSTRACT
Globalization is here to stay. Those of us concerned about nutrition
among low-income families should focus on how globalization can be guided
for their benefit. This chapter provides a conceptual framework
for assessing the linkages between globalization and nutrition, and suggests
action to be taken by governments and civil society. Policy changes
are needed in developing countries to give poor people access to productive
resources and markets, and to assure that the poor are not marginalized
in the globalization process. Policies are also needed to guide
domestic markets for imported foods. Industrialized countries must
open their markets for developing-country goods and services (including
agricultural commodities and processed foods) and remove unfair trade
practices.
Globalization can help or hurt the poor and malnourished. Accompanying
policies will help determine which it will be.
POLICIES (PROGRAMS/TRAINING)
FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICIES IN AFRICA: CAPACITY CHALLENGES AND TRAINING
OPTIONS
Suresh C. Babu
Abstract
In spite of the continued efforts of nutritionists
to address nutrition problems in sub-Saharan Africa, the levels of undernutrition
remain high. This paper is an attempt to provide an overview of
the challenges that face nutrition planners and policymakers in implementing
and evaluating nutrition policies and program interventions. Presenting
a conceptual framework for analyzing the causes of nutritional outcomes,
it reviews past experiences in implementing various nutrition policies
and program interventions in sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying capacity
gaps for designing nutrition policies and programs, it outlines strategies
for increasing the nutrition policy capacity in Africa. It is argued
that unless the profile of nutritionists is elevated through appropriate
capacity strengthening, their role in influencing nutrition policies and
programs and hence nutritional outcomes will remain low in Africa.
POLICIES (GRASSROOTS LEVEL)
HEALTH SECTOR ACTIONS TO IMPROVE NUTRITION: Challenges and
Opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa
Robert K.N. Mwadime
Abstract
Reducing malnutrition-related maternal and
childhood morbidity and mortality in Africa requires a systematic and
coordinated strategy. This paper discusses a health sector strategy which
includes: i) advocating for action in nutrition at all levels; ii) integration
of the essential nutrition actions into six key contact points (antenatal,
maternity/delivery, postnatal, well-baby clinics, sick baby clinics and
family planning); iii) management of the interventions to ensure client
health care needs are met with a high level of quality and at an affordable
cost, and iv) measurement of the changes in behaviour and nutrition outcomes.
Core to the process is continuous advocacy, at all levels, for increased
investment in nutrition and development of human and institutional capacity
in order to address malnutrition.
Key words: nutrition; essential behaviours;
quality; health; sub-Saharan Africa
POLICIES (REGIONAL)
CO-EXISTENCE OF OVER- AND UNDERNUTRITION RELATED DISEASES IN LOW INCOME,
HIGH-BURDEN COUNTRIES: A contribution towards the 17th
IUNS congress of nutrition, Vienna Austria 2001
Rutengwe R., Oldewage-Theron W, Oniang’o R & Vorster H.H.
Abstract
Adequate nutrition is a basic human right, but globally it remains unmet
for many pre-school children. Poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition
continue to be obstacles to human rights, quality of life and dignity.
The 1995 goal to eradicate poverty in the world by 2020 is not on target
in developing countries; rather, poverty has been increasing. Over 800
million people suffer from malnutrition in developing countries and over
20 % of the populations are hungry.
About one third of the world’s population suffer from micronutrient deficiencies
and hundreds of millions suffer from chronic diseases of lifestyle. Prevalence
rates, particularly low birth weight, stunting and underweight, remain
high particularly in Eastern Africa and South Central Asia. More than
a third of all children in developing countries remain constrained in
their physical growth and cognitive development. The 1990 ambitious goal
of halving childhood underweight prevalence by the year 2000 has not been
achieved by most countries. Global progress in fighting malnutrition is
slow and crippled by rapid increase of both communicable and non-communicable
diseases, the so-called “double burden of disease”. About 115 million
people suffered from obesity related diseases in the year 2000. Overweight
and obesity (globesity) prevalence is advancing rapidly in developing
countries.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), myocardial infarction, angina pectoris
and stroke as one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity
globally, will continue to be first and second leading causes of death
in the world. Most developing countries, including South Africa, currently
are in the process of transition and experiencing the double burden of
both communicable and non-communicable diseases in which chronic diseases
of lifestyle such as CVD have emerged while the battle against infectious
diseases has not been won. In the last few years the HIV/AIDS epidemic
has spread extremely rapidly and is likely to double overall mortality
rates, undermine child survival and halve the life expectancy over the
next five years.
The co-existence of over- and under-nutrition calls for urgent innovative
strategies and interventions to tackle the problem. The importance of
prevention as the most sensible strategy is emphasised. This overview
emphasises that, in planning nutrition strategies and interventions in
low income, high-burden countries such as South Africa risk factors for
both over- and under-nutrition and related diseases should be targeted
and addressed.
Keywords: over- and under-nutrition, double burden of disease
and developing countries.
POLICIES (NATIONAL)
ENHANCING PEOPLE'S NUTRITIONAL STATUS THROUGH REVITALISATION
OF AGRICULTURE AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
Ruth K. Oniang’o, PhD
Abstract
Although Agriculture is the mainstay of Kenya’s Economy, it is one the
poorest in terms of performance as compared to other sectors. Negligence
by the government in budgeting is no doubt one of the contributing factors
among poverty, which is the underlying cause of hunger & malnutrition
and redundancy of this sector. Use of systems approach to address agriculture,
getting men into agriculture, deliberate placement of agro industries
in rural areas, revamping extension and linking it to research, and development
of infrastructure are some of the strategies that have been suggested
in order that people’s nutritional status may be enhanced. It is not one
factor that will lead to good nutrition but a collection of factors well
integrated and advocated by the majority.
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