Search

Background: There is a paucity of published data regarding maternal socio-demographic characteristics and associated complementary feeding practices of moderately malnourished infants and young children (IYC) in sub-Saharan Africa. In the present study, this association was investigated in Arua, Uganda., Methods: A cross-sectional baseline survey was conducted among 204 conveniently sampled mothers of IYC aged 6-18 months with moderate acute malnutrition earmarked for dietary supplementation in four randomly selected sub-counties to determine their socio-demographic characteristics using a validated questionnaire. A 24-h recall was used to evaluate complementary feeding practices in terms of minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). Associations were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis., Results: The majority (70.1%) of mothers had a primary school education, with 15% having no formal education. Foods especially purchased or prepared for IYC were provided by 42.6% of the mothers. The MDD and MMF of IYC were 13.2% and 41.2%, respectively. MMF and MDD for MAD were met by 6.9% of IYC. Maternal level of education and MMF was significantly associated (P = 0.003), whereas the provision of foods especially purchased or prepared for IYC was significantly associated with MMF (P = 0.003). Maternal care was significantly associated with MAD (P = 0.004)., Conclusions: Optimal complementary feeding practices were not met by the majority of mothers. Maternal level of education and care of IYC were strong predictors of MMF. Nutrition education and care should be promoted among mothers of IYC with moderate acute malnutrition to improve MDD, MMF and MAD., (© 2019 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.)

Objectives: We investigated whether habitual intakes of sodium (Na), potassium, magnesium, and calcium differ across South African ethnic groups, assessed the proportion of Na intake, which is discretionary, and identified which food sources were the major contributors to Na intake., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 325 black, white, and mixed ancestry hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Three repeated 24-h urine samples were collected for assessment of urinary Na, and three corresponding 24-h dietary recalls were administered by trained fieldworkers. Blood pressure and weight were measured at each visit. Secondary analyses were performed on existing dietary databases obtained from four regional surveys undertaken in South African adults., Results: Mean urinary Na excretion values equated to daily salt (NaCl) intakes of 7.8, 8.5, and 9.5 g in black, mixed ancestry, and white subjects, respectively (P < 0.05). Between 33% and 46% of total Na intake was discretionary, and, of the non-discretionary sources, bread was the single greatest contributor to Na intake in all groups. Ethnic differences in calcium intake were evident, with black subjects having particularly low intakes. Urban versus rural differences existed with respect to sources of dietary Na, with greater than 70% of total non-discretionary Na being provided by bread and cereals in rural black South Africans compared with 49% to 54% in urban dwellers., Conclusion: White South Africans have higher habitual intakes of Na, but also higher calcium intakes, than their black and mixed ancestry counterparts. All ethnic groups had Na intakes in excess of 6 g/d of salt, whereas potassium intakes in all groups were below the recommended level of 90 mM/d. Dietary differences may contribute to ethnically related differences in blood pressure.

Abnormal haemostasis, and specifically a pre-thrombotic state characterized by hypercoagulability, increased platelet aggregation and impaired fibrinolysis, is associated with increased atheroma and thrombosis. The recent literature clearly indicates that diet may prevent or be used to treat some abnormal haemostatic states. There are reports on effects of energy intake and expenditure, alcohol consumption, intakes of total fat, different fatty acids, fish oil, NSP and vitamins on markers of coagulation, platelet function and fibrinolysis. Some of the confusion and controversy in this field has arisen because the wrong markers of haemostasis have been measured in dietary trials. Moreover, many of the studies have lacked good dietary control. It is suggested that more sensitive, functional markers of the balance between the different facets of the haemostatic system should be measured. It is also important to test hypotheses developed from known observations and to propose mechanisms of action of the various dietary factors, based on our improved understanding of the haemostatic system.