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The primary objective of this study was to examine the socio-demographic and economic factors associated with the consumption of processed foods in South Africa. This is an empirical study where secondary data analysis was performed from the South African Demographic and Health Survey VII. A nationally representative sample of 10,336 participants (aged ≥15 years) was included in the analysis. Using regression models, we studied the association between socio-demographic and economic predictors and the intake of processed foods. The regression models found that the odds of consumption of any type of processed foods were significantly high in all South African provinces but specifically higher in urban settings, those with any level of education, and young adults. The odds of processed meat consumption were significantly higher among the coloured population, while that of fried food, fast food, and salty snacks was significant in the white population. The odds of consumption increased irrespective of marital status and were higher among males, specifically among those in the poorer and poorest wealth quintiles. These findings warrant advocacy and action for healthy food choices in the population. The role of industry, ethnic vulnerability, and gender stereotypes in food preparation are areas that need priority attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A study completed in 2001 formed part of a clinical intervention trial under controlled conditions to examine the iron status of the pregnant and lactating women in the Vaal Triangle. The main purpose of that study was to determine the dietary intake and iron status of the sample population (n=431). Based on that study there is convincing evidence of poor dietary practices by pregnant women. According to Ramachandran (2002) low dietary intake in pregnancy will have adverse effects on the health and nutrition status of both the mother and her offspring. According to Norton (2002) there is strong epidemiological evidence of an association between maternal weight gain during pregnancy and low birth weight (LBW), especially in undernourished women. Aims: The main purpose of this study is to develop a cost effective, nutrient-dense food multimix for pregnant women in order to improve their nutritional status during pregnancy and to have healthier pregnancy outcomes. Methodology: According to the study by H.Kesa (2001) and Norton (2002) validated QFFQ's was used and statistically analysed. Trained fieldworkers conducted interviews with the help of food models to estimate portion size. Results: According to the study by H.Kesa (2001) the top ten items most often consumed by pregnant women were, in descending order: fresh milk, tea, coffee, cold drink, maize meal, fruit juice, bread rolls, magou (a fermented nonalcoholic drink), rice and sugar. Daily intakes (mean ± SD) for pregnant women were: 8425.71 ± 2279 kJ, 73.18 ± 23 g protein, 62.29 ± 23.7 g fat, 292.45 ± 72.2 g carbohydrate, 9.74 ± 3.8 mg iron. According to the blood samples 50% of pregnant women IDA. According to Norton (2002) majority of women with LBW babies are from developing countries where women begin pregnancy in a nutritionally disadvantaged state. Conclusions: Based on the results of the previous study, it is clear that food insecurity and malnutrition are evident in pregnant women in the Vaal Traingle. Implications: The development of a multimix will attempt to examine a cost- effective means to medium and long-term sustainable food based solutions to food and nutrition security of low-income, pregnant women in the Vaal Triangle in order to prevent malnutrition during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to analyse the association between processed food consumption and the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Africa. In this empirical study, we analysed nationally representative secondary data obtained from the South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) VII. The survey included 13,288 occupied households, of which 11,083 were interviewed. In the interviewed households, 12,717 eligible adults aged 15 and older were identified and 10,336 were successfully interviewed. The study included four processed food groups (i.e. fried foods, takeaway foods/fast foods, salty snacks/packed chips, and processed meats) and eight NCDs (i.e. hypertension, cardiac arrest, cancer, stroke, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, and asthma). As per the logistic regression results following adjustment, none of the disease states showed association with all four processed food groups. However, at least three processed food groups showed a significant positive association with hypertension, cardiac arrest, and diabetes. Two processed food groups showed significant positive association with stroke, and chronic bronchitis; one with hypercholesterolaemia and asthma; and cancer was not associated with any food groups. Processed meat and salted snacks/packed chips were each associated with five chronic conditions. In summary, we found that the consumption of any of the processed food groups increased the risk of NCDs in the South African population. Enabling policy and regulatory efforts in the production and distribution of processed foods, combined with improved awareness among the population need to be prioritised for immediate action. Facilitating the populations to choose traditional healthy diets would be a sustainable strategy for the prevention of NCDs., Competing Interests: None., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Developing economies are shaped by the current predicament of urbanisation and its impact on health is inevitable. In the post-pandemic times, India and South Africa witnessed a GDP growth rate of about 1·7 % and 1·9 %, respectively, while the developed economies like Europe and the USA have bounced back with more than 2 % GDP. The similarities and differences between India and South Africa provide potential candidates to study nutrition transition with the elements of urbanisation. In both countries, increased access to convenience foods is a consequence of the rapid expansion of small and medium enterprises, open international markets and expanding food supply chains. Also, there has been significant acculturation and people have moved away from traditional diets in these two countries. A spate of similar changes in the food environment is a telling sign of serious ill-health consequences in both countries. Generating evidence on causality is fundamental to informing policy. India and South Africa qualify as potential candidates to study the multiple burdens of malnutrition. Collaborating with different disciplines such as data sciences and capacitating analytic skills are key to progress in this direction.

Urbanisation in South Africa has led to a nutritional transition from traditional diets (mainly based on indigenous foods) to a Western diet. Currently, the country is one of the most concerned about the prevalence of associated malnutrition and non-communicable diseases. One should, therefore, question the position of indigenous foods (IFs) in the population's eating habits since their nutritional and health value is known. This study aimed to collect updated data on South Africans' true awareness and consumption of indigenous foods, especially in the Gauteng region (the most urbanised province of the country). A quantitative cross-sectional research survey was conducted (n = 746). Among a list of 18 IFs, grain sorghum 32.4% (n = 242), marula 32% (n = 239), pearl millet 21.7% (n = 162), amadumbe 19.3% (n = 144) and cowpea 18.6% (n = 139) were the best known. However, the study noticed a maximum consumption of 19.3% (grain sorghum). Overall, this consumption was seasonal, and its level was significantly defined by race ( p < 0.05). Black people consume more IFs compared to coloured people, Indian people and white people. Participants mostly consumed these foods for nutritional and health reasons and pointed out the problem of availability. "Poor image" was rated the lowest by all races (black 5.8%, coloured 4.2%, Indian 7.0% and white 4.1%) regarding the reasons for no or low consumption of IFs. Whatever the race, the desire to increase IF consumption was positive. The promotion of their integration into South African diets should, therefore, be considered as an intervention strategy.

Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to determine the anthropometric indications and nutritional intake of pregnant and lactating women in the Vaal Triangle (n = 431)., Design and Methods: A validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used in this study. Trained fieldworkers conducted interviews with the help of food models to estimate portion sizes. The anthropometric measurements included weight, height and body mass index (BMI). Blood samples were collected for determining iron status parameters., Results: The 10 items consumed most frequently by pregnant women were, in descending order: fresh milk; tea; coffee; cold drinks; maize meal; fruit juice; bread; magou (non-alcoholic fermented maize drink); rice and sugar. For lactating women, the results were: fresh milk; tea; coffee; maize meal; cold drinks; magou; bread; yoghurt; rice and sugar. Daily intakes (mean +/- SD) for pregnant women were 8425.71 +/- 2279 kJ, 73.18 +/- 23 g protein, 62.29 +/- 23.7 g fat, 292.45 +/- 72.2 g carbohydrate and 9.74 +/- 3.8 mg iron. For lactating women, the intakes were 8511.94 +/- 2047 kJ, 76.24 +/- 25 g protein, 61.95 +/- 22.3 g fat, 294.37 +/- 64.2 g carbohydrate and 10.50 +/- 4.0 mg iron. The results of this study showed that most of the women (98%) resided in towns and 79.3% were unemployed. The majority of the sample population was overweight or obese (BMI> or = 25)., Conclusions: The diets of the subjects consisted primarily of plant-based foods. Animal foods were scarce except for milk. Most of the items consumed were low in iron., Implications: Iron deficiency is partly induced by plant-based diets containing low levels of poorly bio-available iron. An assessment of dietary intake is required to aid in the development of relevant dietary guidelines for the sample population.