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A new mobile application with a new semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was developed as a quick dietary assessment tool. This study aimed to test the validation of food and nutrient intake measurements from an app-based FFQ, which included 49 dishes and food items, using non-consecutive two-day 24-hour diet recalls as the standard. A total of 179 women aged 19-70 years (mean (SD) = 33.7 (9.9)) from two rural areas of Kenya, Vihiga and Kitui counties, were included. Dietary assessment by the two dietary survey methods was conducted from November to December 2021. The intake of macro- and micronutrients, and food groups between the two methods were compared by Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, cross-classification agreement, and Bland-Altman plots for assessing the validation of the app-based FFQ. The median correlation coefficients between energy-adjusted intakes estimated by the app-based FFQ and the 24-h diet recall were 0.19 (0.10 (protein)-0.26 (fat)) for macronutrients, 0.24 (0.11 (sodium)-0.46 (vitamin B12)) for micronutrients, and 0.26 (0.07 (seasonings)-0.45 (pulses)) for 17-food groups. The median percentage of classification into the same quartiles between the two methods was 31% for macronutrient, 32% for micronutrient and 39% for food group. While 9% for macronutrient, 8% for micronutrient and 10% for the food group were misclassified into the opposite categories. Bland-Altman Plots showed acceptable agreement for macronutrients intake between the two methods. The app-based FFQ was shown to be able to rank or categorize individuals according to their intake of most of the nutrients and food groups we examined. This dietary assessment tool can be used for quantitative dietary data collection. Further research is needed to improve the validation of the app-based FFQ, as it has been shown that intakes of staple foods and sugar are underestimated and others are overestimated, and that estimating intakes of some specific nutrients, such as protein, is challenging. Key words: Diet assessment, food frequency questionnaire, 24-hour diet recall, validation, Kenya, INTRODUCTION Poor diet is a leading cause of disease [1, 2]. Although diet quality improved between 1990 and 2018 globally, it did not improve in sub-Saharan Africa [3]. In rural [...]

Teaching is a complex practice that requires teachers to draw upon their content knowledge, pedagogical approaches and strategies, and knowledge about learners in order to support learning. Integrating technology into the teaching and learning practice of a classroom is a strategy that many teachers are drawing upon. This article reports on the initial findings on information communication technology (ICT) implementation in Kenyan secondary schools and discusses factors affecting effective technology integration. The study used questionnaire and classroom observation data to examine what types of ICTs for education are available in secondary schools in Kenya and what training teachers have had in using ICTs for education; teachers' perspectives regarding the role of ICT in teaching and learning; and what factors might influence ICT integration in teaching and learning in public secondary schools in Kenya. The study found that while few teachers are integrating ICT into their teaching and learning, many teachers are implementing ICT in their teaching.

Demonstrates that socio-economic factors such as family background are important in determining student achievement, but are reinforced by factors such as teaching and learning resources. Presents a study of student achievement in mathematics and science related to parental education and occupation and to type of school. (LS)

Maternal and child mortalities in sub-Sahara Africa can be alleviated through improvement in food and nutrition security. Part of this strategy includes complementing supplementation, fortification and public health improvement efforts by diversifying dietary habits through identification and utilization of various types of local food sources. In Kenya, inadequate evidence-based information on nutrient variations within species still limits the adoption of dietary diversity policies, particularly in support of the implementation of food and nutrition programmes. The gap between knowledge and practice, therefore, needs to be addressed. Dietary diversity is commonly tabulated using computed scores for food diversity (count of food groups consumed during the recall period) and food variety (count of all dietary items consumed during the recall period up to the species level). This simplification of dietary diversity scores is attributed to the complexity involved in collecting accurate information on varieties under each species consumed. This has led to an urgent need to develop simple, consistent, effective and variety-level sensitive methods of measuring food biodiversity within peoples' diets. This paper presents a pilot study carried out with an aim of demonstrating the steps involved in applying a food biodiversity sensitive indicator in food consumption studies using a variety-level biodiversity tool in Kitui district, Kenya. A community food list with variety names and photos was developed and was used during household dietary assessment. The target subjects were women and children (under five years). The indicator was tested among women and children under the age of five and, for comparison, a food diversity score was also administered as an indicator of dietary diversity. Results showed that the food variety scores were more indicative of the food biodiversity resources consumed in the community than food diversity scores. The mean variety scores for mothers in the last 24 hours, 7 days and 1 month preceding the survey were 12.80([+ or -]4.11), 21.06([+ or -]6.37) and 24.43([+ or -]7.44) respectively while those for children were 12.93([+ or -]4.47), 20.80([+ or -]6.98) and 23.88([+ or -]8.13) respectively. The mean food diversity scores for mothers in the last 24 hours, 7 days and 1 month preceding the survey were 7.49([+ or -]1.25), 8.60([+ or -]0.73) and 8.73([+ or -]0.64), respectively while those for index children were 7.36([+ or -]1.39), 8.42([+ or -]1.01) and 8.55([+ or -]0.95), respectively. The differences in mean values for both variety and diversity scores for one day, one week and one month were statistically significant among women and children (p Key words: malnutrition, biodiversity, dietary diversity, assessment, INTRODUCTION It is estimated that in sub- Saharan Africa, 40% of children are severely or moderately stunted, 28% are underweight while 14% are born with low birth weight [1]. The [...]

In this study, an indirect natural convection updraft solar dryer was designed and fabricated with objectives to; suit mid-latitude applications, determine its performance efficiency, analyze air properties by use of psychrometric chart and assess the quality of dried product. The dryer was fabricated using low cost and locally available materials. For mid-latitude regions, zenith angle is dependent on latitude, solar declination angle, time of the year and of the day. Based on these changing parameters, the solar dryer was designed to suit the conditions. The main parts of the dryer are; hinged flexible angled solar collector, drying chamber consisting of three drying trays, updraft chimney with metallic absorber plate. The experiments were carried out to dry sliced apples of 2.5 mm thickness spread over the drying trays. Temperature and relative humidity of airflow were taken at the collector inlet, drying chamber inlet and drying chamber outlet to chimney using data loggers. Airflow inlet to solar collector and from drying chamber was determined using hot wire anemometers, irradiation in W/m 2 was measured by radiation meter. Drying characteristics such as the collected solar energy to evaporated moisture, average drying rate, moisture content, etc., were determined. Natural convectional flow was adopted with an advantage of utilizing updraft air chimney to induce thermo-siphoning effect hence improving efficiency. In our current study, fresh apples of 886.64 grams with moisture content of 86% were dried to moisture content of 8.12% (wet basis) within 9 hours 20 minutes at an average irradiance of 534.45W/m 2 . The overall dryer efficiency was estimated to be 17.89%. The possibility of formation of water droplets within the drying chamber, which is a challenge to most direct solar dryers was considered to be minimal. This was based on analysis of the dew-point of drying chamber inlet air in comparison to outlet air properties. This design is simple; it can easily be replicated elsewhere in the world, products can be dried in one day and has capability to dry products at commercial scale while retaining the color, flavor and nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the quantitative association between the dietary intakes of children and their caregivers., Method: In this cross-sectional study, a non-consecutive 2-day 24-h dietary recall was conducted in two seasons. Participants comprised 142 pairs of 12-59-month-old children and their female caregivers from rural areas of Kenya. Energy and micronutrient adequacy, food group intakes and food allocation were assessed. Differences and correlations between caregiver and child diets were examined, and multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the children's and caregivers' dietary intakes., Results: The child's diet was significantly lower in energy and higher in micronutrient adequacy than was the caregiver's diet (p < 0.001). Specifically, the child's diet contained more fruits, dairy products, sugar and confectionaries per 4184 kj. Children were allocated relatively more dishes containing nutrient-rich foods than staple foods. The correlation coefficients between the dietary intake of caregivers and children were stronger among 24-59-month-old children. After controlling with covariates, caregiver energy intake was significantly associated with child energy intake (standardised beta [β] = 0.512, p < 0.001), and caregiver micronutrient adequacy was associated with child micronutrient adequacy (β = 0.679 and β = 0.262 after energy adjustment, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The dietary intakes of caregivers and children were closely related. The children had a more nutrient-rich diet compared to that of their caregivers. Differences in food group intakes and food allocation may contribute to the higher nutrient adequacy of children. There is a need to improve the diet of caregivers, which would contribute to improving the diet of children., (© 2023 British Dietetic Association.)

Fruit and vegetable consumption is recommended in numerous food-based dietary guidelines and forms a key recommendation in many international statements related to healthy diets. There are thousands of fruit and vegetable species from which to choose, but despite this abundance from nature, populations in most countries neither produce nor consume the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables. There is enormous potential to better incorporate the wealth of diverse fruit and vegetable species and varieties into food systems. Known and preserved by indigenous communities, these hidden food treasures can foster collaborative research and learning. This perspective from the Task Force on Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems and Nutrition of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) highlights 5 key actions that can be taken by individuals, communities, and nations to reshape dialogue about traditional and indigenous fruits and vegetables to benefit people and planetary ecosystems., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition.)

Traditional food systems offer a key link between the social and economic resilience of smallholder farmers and pastoralists and the sustainable food and nutrition security of global populations. This paper addresses issues related to socio-cultural diversity and the continuing complex engagement of traditional and modern communities with the plants and animals that sustain them. In light of some of the unhealthful consequences of the 'nutrition transition' to globalized modern diets, the authors define and propose a process for a more successful food system transition that balances agro-biodiversity and processed commodities to support diet diversity, health and social equity alongside sustainable economic growth. We review empirical research in support of practice and policy changes in agriculture, economic development and health domains as well as cross-sectoral and community-based innovation. High-value food crops within domestic and global value chains can be an entry point for smallholders' participation as contributors and beneficiaries of development, while sustainable small farms, as purveyors of environmental and public health services, diversify global options for long-term adaptation in the face of environmental uncertainty., (© 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.)

This study explored the role of wild foods in the diets of children and mothers in the East Usambara Mountains (N = 274 dyads). We identified 92 wild food species. Although dietary diversity (most measures) was not different between seasons, wild foods accounted for a greater percentage of items consumed in the wet (food insecure) season. Many wild foods were obtained on farm; wild foods obtained from the forest accounted for less than 3% of food items consumed. Wild foods were used by virtually all informants but contributed only 2% of total energy in the diet. However, they contributed large percentages of vitamin A (RAE) (31%), vitamin C (20%), and iron (19.19%). Agricultural factors (e.g., hours spent in farm) were associated with greater wild food use. These findings suggest participation in agriculture may be important for the maintenance of wild food use, and that wild foods can play an important role in the nutritional resilience of local people.