
|
African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 20, No. 6, 2020, pp. 16622-16637
|
Bioline Code: nd20096
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
|
|
African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 20, No. 6, 2020, pp. 16622-16637
en |
FERMENTED SORGHUM PORRIDGE FORTIFIED WITH MORINGA LEAF POWDER AND BAOBAB FRUIT PULP CURED CHILDREN FROM MODERATE ACUTE MALNUTRITION IN BENIN
Nago, E; Agossadou, JO; Chadare, FJ; Houndji, S & Hounhouigan, DJ
Abstract
Inappropriate feeding, too early introduction of complementary foods and restriction in
food selection are a major cause of malnutrition among young children in developing
countries. Food-to-food fortification is a good strategy to enhance the nutritional quality
of children’s diet. This strategy is more and more promoted because it allows delivery of
micronutrients to a large population in a cost-effective manner. The present study aimed
at testing the effect of the consumption of sorghum porridge fortified with moringa leaf
powder and baobab fruit pulp on the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 59 months in
Northern Benin. A two-week intervention was implemented in Tanguiéta (Benin) among
children affected by moderate acute malnutrition, using 400 g of fermented sorghum
porridge fortified with 15 g of a designed mix of moringa leaf powder and baobab fruit
pulp. Sixty-three children aged 6–59 months who had malnutrition assessed by
anthropometry were randomly selected and assigned to a treatment or a control group.
Children in the treatment group consumed the fortified formula daily for two weeks in a
nutritional rehabilitation hearth whereas those in the control group had their habitual diet.
Their nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometry. Recovery rate and average
weight gain of children were computed. Results show that daily consumption of the
fortified food for two weeks did not significantly (P> 0.05) increase children’s weight in
treatment vs. control. However, average weight gain was 9.85 g/kg/day in the treatment
group and total recovery rate at risk of malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition was
62.50% among children who fully complied with the intervention. Fermented sorghum
porridge fortified with moringa leaf powder and baobab fruit pulp may be promoted to
scale in more regions of Benin as a local affordable and effective therapeutic food against
child acute malnutrition. Further investigation of its potential effect while accounting for
parasitic infection is needed, to eliminate all risks of intestinal micronutrient
malabsorption or malaria and enhance the effectiveness of the fortified food on children’s
weight as well as their iron status.
Keywords
Food-to-food fortification; malnutrition; sorghum porridge; northern Benin
|
|
© Copyright 2020 - African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development Alternative site location: http://www.ajfand.net/
|
|