Utilization of bean-maize composite meal to improve motor performance and nutritional status of hiv+children in Morogoro, Tanzania
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Date
2007
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A four months study was done to investigate the efficacy of fortified bean-maize
composite meal in improving nutritional and motor performance of 117 HIV+
children aged between 24 and 180 months, who were receiving medical and/or
home-based care at WAVUMO and Faraja Trust Fund in Morogoro, Tanzania. The
subjects received a bean-maize composite product (50 g per day) for a period of four
months. Physical measurements (weight, height, LBM) and motor performance
measurements (speed, power, coordination, grip strength and cardiovascular
endurance) of the subjects were taken at baseline and monthly for four months.
Information on dietary intake and use of ARV medication was also collected. Results
showed that 6.25% of the study children aged between 24 and 108 months were
wasted, 27.14% were underweight and 18.75% were stunted at the baseline visit.
After feeding the proportion of wasting, underweight and stunting had decreased
substantially. BMI-for-age of the children aged 109 and 180 months (N=70)
increased slightly during the supplementation period. Fat mass and lean body mass
increased slightly (p>0.05) during the supplementation. The results further revealed
the significant improvement (p<0.01) in the grip strengths among study children.
Power increased significantly (p<0.01) with age. Speed declined significantly
(p<0.05) with time of supplemental feeding. Significant decline (p<0.05) in
cardiovascular endurance, power and coordination was observed after feeding. Daily
food intakes for children were below the RDI for energy, protein and other nutrients.
Frequency of feeding was either two meals (29.2%) or three meals (71.8%) per day.
7.3% (N=l 17) of the children were taking ARV medication. This study concluded
that, the bean-maize composite product was effective in improving the nutritional status and motor performance of IIIV+ children and thus recommended for
promotion. The general public, NGOs and the government should support nutrition
based initiatives taken to care and support HIV+ children.
Description
Master's Thesis
Keywords
Bean-maize composite meal, Nutritional status, HIV+children- Morogoro, Tanzania