Influence of complementary food on growth and iron status of infants aged 6-12 months in Kilosa district Tanzania.
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Date
2004
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Childhood malnutrition remains a common and major problem in Tanzania. Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and micronutrient deficiencies are the major problems that
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occur during the transitional phase from breast milk to solid complementary foods
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(CFs) in infants. According to WHO (1999), PEM among under-fives in Tanzania stands at 31% while iron deficiency anemia affects 32% of the infants. Others include
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iodine deficiency disorders (25%) and Vitamin A deficiency (6%). Most studies have ' associated inadequate intake and poor utilization of nutrients at the complementing
age as the immediate causes ofthese problems.
In the jfirst chapter various literature sources were consulted. General situation with regard >to malnutrition among children including some pertinent causative factors are
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. discussed. A brief discussion on breastfeeding, CFs and micronutrient availability
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from CFs is presented along with the importance of phytic acid in micronutrient
availability. Various techniques that have been used to increase energy density ofCFs such as germination and fermentation are described. Quality and safety aspects ofCFs with regard to contamination with bacteria, cyanides and mycotoxins have been reviewed. These are important because they might be the potential sources of various diseases affecting childrens’ health. Production of low cost CFs that can be afforded by the majority of children, who are faced with nutritional problems, especially in the ruralareasofdevelopingcountriesisdiscussed. Finally,successandfailurestoriesof
intervention programs that were implemented to solve nutritional problems among communities in developing countries from early senventies to the recent years community trials are presented.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
complementary food, growth, iron status, infants aged 6-12 months, Kilosa district, Tanzania