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Low nutrient density in weaning foods is the major cause of under-nutrition among infants and young children in developing countries. Ten types of composite weaning products namely corn-SUA-90 beans-peanut, corn-peanut-sardines, corn-peanut-sardine-SUA-90 beans, corn-peanut-soaked SUA-90 beans, corn-peanut-germinated SUA-90 beans, sorghum-SUA-90 beans-peanut, sorghum-peanut-sardines, sorghum-peanut-sardine-SUA-90 beans, sorghum-peanut-soaked SUA-90 beans and sorghum-peanut-germinated SUA-90 beans were formulated and assayed for proximate composition, energy, mineral density, tannin content, residual urease activity and amino acid profile. The products were also evaluated for storage stability at ambient conditions, organoleptic quality and overall acceptability. Results of the study indicated that, concentrations of protein, fat, ash, Ca, Fe, Zn and Cu were significantly (p

This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional quality of ready-to-eat composite foods intended for supplementary feeding of preschool age children in Tanzania. Four supplementary foods, namely, corn-bean-sardine meal (CBSM), bean meal (BM), sorghum-bean-sardine meal (SBSM), and rice-bean-sardine meal (RBSM) were formulated according to the FAO/WHO/UNU guidelines. The food mixtures were extruded, drum-processed, and cooked conventionally in the traditional way. Cooking doneness was evaluated by percent starch gelatinization and residual urease activity; biological qualities—true protein digestibility and growth performance—were evaluated using Sprague Dawley weanling rats. Efficiency in destroying phytohemagglutinins and the antinutritional factors, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and α-amylase inhibitors, were also evaluated. Results of the study showed that starch gelatinization and residual urease activity were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the extruded and drum-processed diets. Relative to conventional cooking, starch gelatinization was 95% to 100% in extruded and 90% to 100% in drum-processed products. Inactivation of urease activity ranged from 93% to 100% in extruded and 83% to 100% in drum-processed diets. The true protein digestibilities were significantly (P≥ 0.05) higher when extruded foods, compared with drum-processed and conventionally cooked foods, were fed to experimental animals. Animals fed extruded products gained more weight relative to those fed drum-processed and conventionally cooked foods. Destruction of phytohemagglutinins ranged between 91% to 97% in extruded and between 90% to 95% in the conventionally cooked and drum-processed foods. Extrusion, drum processing, and conventional cooking also resulted in significant destruction of the antinutritional factors trypsin, chymotrypsin, and a-amylase inhibitors. These results suggest that extrusion and drum processing of cereal-bean-sardine composite foods result in products meeting the required nutritional quality.

This study was conducted to evaluate protein quality, acceptability and storage stability of processed cereal–bean–sardine composite foods for pre-school age children in Tanzania. Four composite products namely corn–bean–sardine meal (CBSM), bean meal (BM), sorghum–bean–sardine meal (SBSM) and rice–bean–sardine meal (RBSM) were formulated to maximize the amino acid score for pre-school age children and were processed by extrusion, drum-processing and conventional cooking. The products were evaluated for true protein digestibility (TPD) and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS). The TPD and PDCAAS were highest in the extruded products. The TPD values for the products ranged from 82 to 93%. The PDCAAS values for the composite foods were 64–86% and were greater than the minimum value of 60% recommended by FAO/WHO/UNU. There were no significant (p > 0.05) variations in the amino acid contents for foods processed by extrusion, drum-processing or conventional cooking. Threonine was most limiting in the CBSM, SBSM and RBSM while methionine + cysteine were most limiting in the BM. Sensory evaluation showed that, relative to the traditional cornmeal—Uji, the extruded CBSM and SBSM had significantly superior (p ≤ 0.05) texture and highly acceptable color and taste. Storage of the products up to 16 weeks at 38 °C resulted in a small but significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in the malondialdehyde concentrations; nevertheless, the levels remained within the acceptable range found in processed commercial supplements. Total acids, pH and organoleptic attributes did not change significantly (p > 0.05) during storage and the foods were acceptable to the end of the storage period. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

A study was conducted to evaluate the impact and achievements of the government-supported program to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders in selected villages in the Southern Highlands, Tanzania. Results showed that most of the respondents in the surveyed households (92.9%, n = 496) had a clear knowledge of iodine deficiency disorders. More than 99% of the surveyed households were using iodized salt and only a small proportion (0.4%) was using noniodized salt. The majority of the surveyed households (66%, n = 440), retail and wholesale shops had good salt handling practices that minimized iodine losses. The median urinary iodine concentrations were 166 µg/g for boys, 171 µg/L for girls, and 169 µg/L for reproductive-age women. Goiter prevalence among school-age children was Grade one (7%, n = 583), Grade two (0.5%, n = 583) and Grade zero (93%, n = 583). It was concluded that significant achievements have been made in controlling iodine deficiency disorders in the surveyed district. The government should...

Acute, severe undernutrition during childhood remains a common health problem in many parts of the world and makes a significant contribution to childhood mortality. This study was conducted to evaluate the protein quality and growth/rehabilitation potential of supplementary foods developed from locally produced materials in Tanzania. Six diets, namely rice meal (RM), bean meal (BM), rice–bean meal (RBM), rice–bean–sardines meal (RBSM), corn–bean–sardines meal (CBSM) and corn–bean meal (CBM), were formulated to maximise the amino acid score as recommended by FAO/WHO/UNU for preschool children. Biological qualities of the diets, including apparent and true protein digestibility, net protein retention ratio, food efficiency ratio, protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score and rehabilitation potential, were evaluated using Sprague Dawley weanling rats. Net protein retention ratio varied significantly (p < 0.05) among control diet (0.93), RBSM (0.92), CBSM (0.86), RM (0.66), RBM (0.44), CBM (0.28), BM (0.12) and corn meal (CM) diet (−0.40). True protein digestibility ranged between 82 and 99%, with BM showing the lowest digestibility. The protein digestibility-corrected amino acid scores were 100% (control diet), 77% (CBSM), 89% (RBSM), 58% (RM), 90% (RBM), 47% (CBM), 85% (BM) and 48% (CM). Two test diets, CBSM and RBSM, showed the greatest potential to support growth and rehabilitation of undernourished rats, while CBM, RBM, BM and CM did not display acceptable growth. These results suggest that cereal–bean–sardine composites are of high quality and have potential for use as supplementary/rehabilitation foods for preschool- and school-age children as well as adults. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

The prevalence of obesity and chronic energy deficiency (CED) among females in Morogoro district of Tanzania and the associated socioeconomic factors were investigated. The nutritional status of 976 females involved in various occupational activities, namely farming (n = 236), housework (n = 294), business (n = 200), and civil service (n = 246) in Morogoro district was determined using body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) as an index for body energy (body fat and muscle mass) reserves. Obesity and CED were defined as BMI > 25.0 and BMI

Iron deficiency anaemia is a public health problem in Tanzania especially among children under the age of five years. In malaria holoendemic areas, control of anaemia by supplementation with iron has been reported to increase serious adverse events. The World Health Organization recommends that, programs to control anaemia in such areas should go concurrently with malaria control programmes. The objectives of the study were to: (i) to determine if a supplement providing 2.5 mg of iron as ferric EDTA and 2.5 mg of iron as ferrous lactate (low dose) is as effective in correcting anaemia as a supplement providing the standard 10 mg of iron as ferrous lactate (high dose); and ii) determine if iron supplementation increased the risk of malaria. This study was carried out in Mvomero District of east-central Tanzania. Two groups (69 and 70 subjects per treatment) of moderately anaemic children (7.0-9.1 g of Hb/dl), received one of the two micronutrient supplements differing only in iron content for a period of 60 days. Results showed that, the average haemoglobin (Hb) concentration improved from 8.30 ± 0.60 g/dl to 11.08 ± 1.25 g/dl. The average weight-for-age for all children increased from 16.0 to 20.6% while their weight-for-height increased from 4.0 to 13.3%. The incidence of asymptomatic and symptomatic malaria ranged from 10.0 to 10.4% at all time points with no apparent increase in malaria severity due to iron supplementation. Overall, there was a significant reduction in anaemia during the 60 day supplementation period. This study demonstrated that, micronutrient supplements containing low-dose ferric-EDTA is just as effective as the high dose iron in reducing anaemia and can be safely utilized in malaria holoendemic areas to control iron deficiency anaemia. It is recommended that, a large study should be conducted to affirm the effectiveness of the low-dose ferric-EDTA in controlling iron deficiency anaemia among underfive children.

About 50% of young children in Tanzania suffer from protein-energyundernutrition (PEU) while more than 45% of children under the age offive suffer from various micronutrient deficiency disorders. The immediatecause of these conditions is inadequate intake and poor utilization ofnutrients, which begins in the weaning period and amplifies in thesubsequent years. This study was conducted to assess the potential of somehome made and commercial weaning foods commonly consumed in Tanzania tosupply adequate amounts of both macro- and micronutrients as recommendedin the Tanzania and FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Standards forcereal/milk-based weaning foods. Six types of home made weaning foods,maize, cassava, millet, sorghum and millet-sardine-peanut composite gruelsand plantain pap, and four types of commercial weaning foods, Cerelac-1,Cerelac-2, Lactogen-1 and Lactogen-2, popularly consumed in Tanzania, werechemically assayed for proximate composition, energy and mineral density.Results of the study indicated that, both the home made and commercialweaning foods were good sources of macro- and micronutrients. Whencompared with the Codex Alimentarius and Tanzania Bureau of Standardsspecifications for weaning foods, both home made and commercial weaningfoods had some shortcomings in terms of nutrient composition and energybalance. Many of the foods were low in fat, Fe, Ca, Zn and P but high incrude fiber, carbohydrate and magnesium. Ca, Fe and Zn were the mostcommon deficient macro/micronutrients in the home made weaning foods. Inspite of these shortcomings, most of the home made and commercial weaningfoods were nutritionally sound since they could provide reasonablepercentages of the recommended daily allowances for macro/micronutrientsand energy. It is suggested that, more efforts must be directed towardsincreasing the concentration of Ca, Fe and Zn in the home made weaningfoods through supplementation of the starchy staples with mineral richfoods. Meanwhile, the parents, caretakers and health workers should beeducated on the selection and preparation of nutritious, balanced weaningfoods and good weaning practices.

Proximate composition, energy, mineral and vitamin contents and the effect of blanching methods and times on the trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor activities were studied using cabbage, collard, turnip, peanut, and sweet potato leaves. Results of this study indicated that, crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrate and ash contents were in the range of 15.5-25.6%, 1.4-6.5%, 60.4-73.1% and 6.8-7.5%, respectively. Total dietary fiber was lowest in cabbage (28.2 g/100 g) and highest in the collard leaves (43.1%) while energy content per 100 g of vegetables was highest in sweet potato leaves (402 kcal) and lowest in cabbage (379 kcal). The mineral content per 100 g of vegetables were in the range of 33.4-249.8 mg, 241.2-471.2 mg, 12.1-75.1 mg, 14.9-98.9 mg, 0.5-3.5 mg and 0.9-3.1 mg for Ca, K, Na, Mg, Fe and Zn, respectively. For ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamin and total carotenoids, concentrations in 100 g of vegetables were in the range of 45.1-112.7 mg, 0.2-0.3 mg, 0.3-0.8 mg and 2.0-7.3 mg, respectively. The trypsin inhibitory activity per gram of the vegetables was highest in collard (60.1 TIU/g) and lowest in peanut leaves (41.0 TIU/g). Chymotrypsin inhibitor activity was highest in the peanut (69.6 CIU/g) but lowest in the collard leaves (48.0 CIU/g). Both trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor activities were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by most of the treatments in either the conventional or microwave blanching methods. In the conventional blanching method, trypsin inhibitor activity was reduced by 0.5, 6.8, 11.9, 9.0 and 19.3 percent in cabbage, collard, turnip, sweet potato and peanut leaves, respectively, when the vegetables were blanched for 2.5 minutes but after blanching for 10 minutes, the trypsin inhibitor activity was reduced by 29.7, 34.9, 54.3, 52.3 and 65.6 percent in cabbage, collard, turnip, sweet potato and peanut greens, respectively. For the microwave oven blanching, trypsin inhibitor activity was reduced by 3.8, 3.3, 32.7, 5.0 and 9.5 percent in cabbage, collard, turnip, sweet potato and peanut leaves, respectively when the vegetables were blanched for 30 seconds. When blanched for 60 seconds, trypsin inhibitor activity was reduced by 16.2, 45.8, 46.2, 51.0 and 42.4 percent in cabbage, collard, turnip, sweet potato and peanut greens, respectively. Similar trends in the reduction of chymotrypsin inhibitor activity were observed when the vegetables were conventionally blanched for 2.5, 5 and 10 minutes and when blanched by microwave oven for 30, 45 and 60 seconds. Based on the results of this study, the vegetables were good dietary sources of minerals, vitamins, carbohydrate and proteins. Also, blanching was an effective method for reducing the trypsin and chymotripsin inhibitor activities in the leafy vegetables, however, further investigation on the heating times for both conventional and microwave blanching methods is suggested.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is one of the public health problems in Tanzania particularly among preschool children. Several approaches have been suggested for the control VAD in developing countries among which, fortification of locally produced staples with vitamin A or provitamin A was noted to be viable and sustainable. This study was conducted in Kigoma district of Tanzania as part of the efforts to fortify the locally produced cassava flour with an underutilized provitamin A rich food—red palm oil. Fortification was incorporated as part of the traditional processing practice for cassava flour. Results of a feeding program with the enriched cassava flour involving 162 preschool children indicated a significant (p 20 μg/dL). Prevalence of VAD among preschool children in the pilot villages decreased from 53.0% (range 23.1–72.7% plasma retinol levels 17.9–21.7 μg/dL) to 8.5% (range 5.5–9.8% plasma retinol levels 21.4–21.9 μg/dL) at the end of...

A survey was conducted on 400 mother‐child pairs attending post‐natal Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinics in 17 centres in Morogoro district, Tanzania to investigate the breastfeeding and weaning practices and their influence on the nutritional status and growth patterns of children aged 0–2 years. Results of the study indicated that a large percent of mothers breatfeed their infants at birth. Forty percent of the mothers were found to breastfeed their infants within the first 3 hours while 71% breastfed within the first 12 hours post delivery. Small, insignificant (p < 0.05) variations were found between the mothers living in rural and urban areas of the district. Rooming‐in was practised by 80% of mothers in the rural areas compared to 77% of mothers in the urban communities. Ninety six percent of mothers in the rural communities breastfed their children on demand against 68% of their counterparts in the urban areas. Only 2% of rural mothers breastfed their children on schedule while in urban areas 32...

We investigated the availability, preference, and consumption of indigenous forest foods in Uluguru North (UNM) and West Usambara Mountains (WUM) of Tanzania. Data collection techniques involved focus group discussion, structured questionnaires, and botanical identification. Results revealed (1) there were 114 indigenous forest food plant species representing 57 families used by communities living adjacent to the two mountains; (2) sixty-seven species supplied edible fruits, nuts and seeds: 24 and 14 species came from WUM and UNM, respectively, while 29 came from both study areas; (3) of the 57 identified vegetable species, 22 were found in WUM only, 13 in UNM only, and 12 in both areas; (4) there were three species of edible mushrooms and five species of roots and tubers; (5) unlike the indigenous roots and tubers, the preference and consumption of indigenous vegetables, nuts, and seeds/oils was higher than exotic species in both study areas; and (6) UNM had more indigenous fruits compared to WUM, although preference and consumption was higher in WUM. We recommend increased research attention on forest foods to quantify their contribution to household food security and ensure their sustainability.

This study was conducted to determine self-care practices and diabetes related emotional distress among people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A cross sectional survey-involving 121 Types 2 diabetics was conducted in 4 diabetic clinics located in Dar es Salaam. Anthropometric and biomedical measurements namely weight, height, waist, hip, mid-upper arm circumference, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were measured. Self-care practices and diabetic related emotion distress were evaluated by using validated instruments. Results revealed that, the average fasting plasma glucose was 11.2 ± 5.5 mmol/l, blood pressure was 134.7/86.1 mm/Hg and the mean BMI for males and females were 25.0 ± 4.3 and 27.0 ± 5.1 kg/m(2), respectively. Subject's self-care score for general diet, specific diet, physical exercise, foot-care and medication were 4.6 ± 2.4, 3.7 ± 1.5, 3.4 ± 1.8, 3.6 ± 2.8 and 5.5 ± 2.8 days per week, respectively. Self-monitoring of blood glucose was irregular and only 46.3% of the subjects tested their levels of blood glucose at least once in between the appointments (90 days). Low income was the major limitation for complying with the self-care practices related to diet, blood glucose testing and medication. It is recommended that, the Government of Tanzania should in the short run subsidize the prices of diabetes drugs, remove all taxes on the glucose test kits and establish a national diabetes program that would coordinate and oversee provision of the basic services such as screening, glucose testing, medication, counseling and management of the condition. In the long run, the government should establish a preventive public health program in order to curtail the escalation of diabetes. Further research should be conducted to determine how factors such as socio-cultural and demographic, self-care, and psychosocial distress interact to determine biomedical outcomes such as blood pressure, blood glucose and body mass index.

Congenital malaria is increasingly reported among babies born to mothers residing in malaria endemic areas despite the fact that maternal antibodies block malaria parasites from crossing the placenta into the foetus. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of congenital malaria among newborn babies delivered at Morogoro Regional Hospital, Tanzania. A cross-sectional study involving 200 women was conducted among pregnant women attending delivery services at the hospital. Socio-demographic and obstetric information of the mothers was also collected. Samples of the placental, cord and peripheral blood smears of mothers and babies were stained with Giemsa and examined for malaria parasites. Results showed that, prevalence of congenital malaria among newly born babies was 4.0% (n = 190). Prevalence rate of placental parasitemia was 7.0% (n = 184), while prevalence of cord parasitemia was 0.5% (n = 184). Prevalence rate of malaria among the mothers at delivery was 11.5% (n = 184). Plasmodiun falciparum was the dominant malaria parasite species. There was a strong association between placental, cord, maternal and congenital parasitemia whereby all babies with congenital malaria had infected mothers and placentas (p < 0.01). In conclusion, congenital malaria is still common in Tanzania especially in malaria endemic areas. It is recommended that, all malaria prevention and control programmes for pregnant women should adhere to the WHO guidelines involving intermittent presumptive treatment of pregnant women with an effective ant-malarial drug, prompt management of all cases and use of insecticide treated bed nets.

Neonatal, perinatal and infant mortality rates are still high in developing countries despite national and international efforts to redress this problem. This study was conducted to investigate maternal knowledge and attitudes regarding the risk factors that adversely affect pregnancy outcomes in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania. A longitudinal study was conducted among 157 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics from their second trimesters to term. Socio-economic, demographic, anthropometric, biomedical and obstetric information was collected. Results showed that, majority of the pregnant women (> 70%, n = 157) were aware of the risk factors that could adversely affect the pregnancy outcomes, however, they did not know the exact mechanisms by which the risk factors acted to cause the adverse effects. Occurrence of risk factors among pregnant women was severe anaemia - 1.4%, smoking (0.6%), passive smoking (22.9%), alcohol consumption (2.5%), unmarried status (11.5%), under-age (< 20 years) (17.8%), over-age (> 35 years) (4.5%), history of stillbirth (7.0%), history of caesarean section (3.2%) and history of miscarriage (2.5%). Maternal total weight gain in the last two trimesters was 7.76 kg. The average birth weight was 3.05 kg, with male infants being heavier (3.14 kg) than their female counterparts (2.95 kg). The incidence of low birth weight was 11.6%, lower than the national average of 18%. It was concluded from this study that, although most women were aware of the pregnancy risk factors, they lacked the knowledge on how the factors affected the pregnancy outcomes. Occurrence of the pregnancy risk factors was generally low and the pregnancy outcomes were good. It is recommended that, women should be educated more about the pregnancy risk factors and encouraged to begin their antenatal clinic early in pregnancy. A larger study should also be conducted to ascertain the association of the other risk factors with pregnancy outcomes, starting with pregnant women in their first trimester.

A cross-sectional comparison study was conducted to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among schoolchildren 428 children aged 6 -12 years in Dodoma and Kinondoni municipalities in Tanzania. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were taken for all respondents. A total of 428 children were involved in the study. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 - 9 years in Dodoma and Kinondoni were 5.6% (n = 118) and 6.3% (n = 87), respectively. Likewise, 4.2% (n = 118) of children aged 6-9 years in Dodoma were overweight while 8.6% (n = 87) of their counterparts in Kinondoni municipality were overweight. For children aged 10-12 years, 3.9% (n= 118) in Dodoma were obese compared to 5.8% (n = 87) of their peers in Kinondoni. Some 4.9% of the children aged 10-12 years in Dodoma were overweight compared to 5.8% of their counterparts in Kinondoni. The average body fat mass of children aged 6 - 9 years in Dodoma ranged from 21.42-21.81%, while that of their peers in Kinondoni ranged from 21.66-21.98%. The average body fat mass of children aged 10-12 years ranged between 23.95-24.10% in Dodoma and 23.65-24.95% in Kinondoni. There were gender and age differences in body fat mass distribution, with girls and the older children having significantly (P < 0.05) higher proportion of body fat mass. In conclusion, although the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in this study were lower than those reported elsewhere, there is an imminent danger because the trend of the conditions is rising swiftly with urbanization, changes in lifestyles and socio-economic transition. It is recommended that, children should be educated on good nutrition practices and trained to develop healthy eating behaviours. Parents should encourage lifestyle behaviours that promote high level of physical activities. Physical education and organized sports at schools should be revived.

MoonLITE is a proposed, UK led lunar science mission involving 4 scientific penetrators that will make in situ measurements at widely separated locations on the Moon. MoonLITE will create the first global lunar network with nodes near and far-side, and in permanently shaded crater(s). With such a network MoonLITE will be able to determine much about the interior of the Moon, including characterisation of its core. Penetrator(s) at the poles will seek and characterise frozen volatiles, possibly of cometary origin and of great importance both to human exploration and to astrobiology. MoonLITE penetrators will reach the Moon at ~300 m/s and so must be able to stand the forces associated with this impact. As part of a programme aimed to establish reliable penetrator technologies the first full-scale impact trials have been conducted and are described here.

Low nutrient density in weaning foods is the major cause of under-nutrition among infants and young children in developing countries. Ten types of composite weaning diets (namely, maize-rojo beans-peanut, maize-peanut-sardines, maize-peanut-sardine-rojo beans, maize-peanut-soaked rojo beans, maize-peanut-germinated rojo beans, sorghum-rojo beans-peanut, sorghum-peanut-sardines, sorghum-peanut-sardine-rojo beans, sorghum-peanut-soaked rojo beans, and sorghum-peanut-germinated rojo beans) were formulated and assayed for proximate composition, energy, mineral density, tannin content and residual urease activity. The diets were also evaluated for storage stability under ambient conditions, sensory quality and overall acceptability. Results of the study indicated that, concentrations of protein, fat, ash, calcium, iron, zinc and copper were significantly (P