Department of Food Science and Nutrition

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Development, Sensory Evaluation and Nutritional Qualities of a Millet based Food Replacer for Geophagy among Adolescent Girls
(2016-01) Waswa, Judith; Imungi, Jasper K.
Abstract Development, Sensory Evaluation and Nutritional Qualities of a Millet based Food Replacer for Geophagy among Adolescent Girls Millet grains (Eleusine coracana L), Amaranth grain (Amaranthus cruentus L) and Winged Termites (Macrotermes subhylanus R) are traditional foods among communities in Western province of Kenya. Although traditional foods have huge benefits to human health, they are generally uncultivated and under–utilized. The non-availability of ready to use processed millet based foods has limited the usage and acceptability, despite their nutritional superiority. The purpose of this study was to develop an iron- rich product from millet, amaranth and termites as replacer of soil for geophagists. The study further sort to establish the acceptability and nutrient content of the product. Linear programming was used to come up with four formulations of Finger millet, Amaranth and Termites in the proportions of 100:00:00; 70:15:15; 70:10:20 and 70:20:10 respectively. The flour made from the three ingredients was hydrated at a ratio of 500g of flour to 300ml of water; these were then mixed to a thick consistency. Approximate 8 mm thick layer of the dough was spread on baking trays then baked in an oven at 120°C for one and a half hours. The product was then dried in an oven at 40°C for one hour. The product was left to cool and stored in polythene bags and sealed. The sprinkles were subjected to a taste panel test to determine the most acceptable formulation. The most preferred formulation had a ratio of 70:20:10 (millet: amaranth: termites), it had high content of iron; one hundred grams of the product would provide more than the recommended dietary allowance for adolescent girls. The study recommends development of a program for commercial production of the soil replacer at community level or industrial level in order to offer a food alternative, which will not only help stop the practice but also supply essential nutrients to the users.
Geophagy amidst Compulsory Iron Supplementation among Pregnant Women Attending Ant-Natal Clinics in Likuyani Sub- County (Kenya)
(2016-05-26) Waswa, Judith; Asiko, L.; Ngugi, L. W.
Geophagy the deliberate and frequent ingestion of soil commonly regarded as a form of pica –an appetite for non-food substances is a widely reported practice, especially among people in the tropics. There are number of reasons put forward for the habit of consuming soil. There are three major postulates that have been advanced to explain the physiological causes of geophagy: among them, iron deficiency. In Kenya there has been a campaign on compulsory iron supplementation. However, it has not been established whether the supplementation has reduced the prevalence of anemia and its related health implications including geophagy. A cross-sectional study was carried out in three rural based health centers, in Likuyani sub County of Kakamega County. A sample of 180 respondents was used. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The healthcare providers were also interviewed on the access and coverage of iron supplements to the pregnant mothers. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi square and logistic regression. Results of this study indicated that 60% of pregnant women were geophagic. Age of the mother and spouse’s education level were the predictors of geophagy. More than two thirds of the respondents indicated that they have never received iron supplements in the health facility. Those who had ever received indicated that they were given tablets to last seven days at their first visit to the ante natal clinic. Interviews with the healthcare providers in the facility indicated that they had less supply of the supplements and therefore resulted to giving dietary advice to the pregnant mothers. The prevalence of geophagy in Kenya still remains high despite compulsory iron supplementation. Compulsory iron supplementation for pregnant women in Kenya has not been achieved since there are inadequate supplies in the rural areas.
Non Communicable Diseases -The Elephant in the Room
(Research Journal of Food and Nutrition, 2018) Asiko, Lydia; Wairegi, Susan; Waswa, Judith
Non Communicable Diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer have been listed as the leading causes of death worldwide; they hamper development hence undermining the attainment development goals. Furthermore, they exacerbate social inequality. It is estimated that more than 60% of all deaths worldwide are caused by Non Communicable Diseases. NCDs had been perceived as diseases of the affluent, however, the prevalence in developing countries has increased over the years. In 2008 it was reported that four out of five NCD deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, an increase from what was reported earlier. According to a WHO report, NCD mortality rates in Africa are rising faster than anywhere else in the world. This paper reviews the causes, consequences and prevention strategies of NCDs. The burden of NCDs in developing countries is driven by the negative effects of globalization, for example, unfair trade and irresponsible marketing, rapid and unplanned urbanization and increasingly sedentary lives. People in developing countries eat foods with higher levels of total energy. Increasing NCD levels are influenced by many factors including tobacco use and availability, consumption of foods high in salt, fat and sugar. A considerable proportion of global marketing targets children and adolescents as well as women in developing countries to promote tobacco smoking and consumption of ‘junk’ food and alcohol. Developing countries also experience rapid and unplanned urbanization which changes people’s way of living through more exposure to the shared risk factors. NCDs are exacerbated in urban areas by changes in diet and physical activity, exposure to air pollutants (including tobacco smoke) and harmful use of alcohol. NCDs are preventable and we need to talk about them everywhere and every time to help avert the menace. Lifestyle change is the panacea to NCD prevention and Management. Cessation of smoking, healthy diets and exercise are listed as some of the important strategies. Early this year the government of Rwanda declared a car free day as part of a campaign strategy for prevention of NCD. Governments must take up the elephant by its horns and sensitize people in addition to enacting legislative laws with an aim of preventing and managing the diseases. Control of these diseases will be a major milestone in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG

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