Formulation and acceptability of local nutrient‐dense foods for young children: A formative study for the Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN) Trial in rural Zimbabwe
Abstract Stunting affects almost one‐quarter of children globally, leading to reduced human capacity and increased long‐term risk of chronic disease. Despite intensive infant and young child feeding (IYCF) interventions, many children do not meet their requirements for essential nutrients. This stud...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Maternal and Child Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13605 |
| _version_ | 1797234094143176704 |
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| author | Dexter T. Chagwena Shamiso Fernando Naume V. Tavengwa Shadreck Sithole Chandiwana Nyachowe Handrea Njovo Kavita Datta Tim Brown Jean H. Humphrey Andrew J. Prendergast Laura E. Smith |
| author_facet | Dexter T. Chagwena Shamiso Fernando Naume V. Tavengwa Shadreck Sithole Chandiwana Nyachowe Handrea Njovo Kavita Datta Tim Brown Jean H. Humphrey Andrew J. Prendergast Laura E. Smith |
| author_sort | Dexter T. Chagwena |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Stunting affects almost one‐quarter of children globally, leading to reduced human capacity and increased long‐term risk of chronic disease. Despite intensive infant and young child feeding (IYCF) interventions, many children do not meet their requirements for essential nutrients. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing an IYCF intervention utilizing nutrient‐dense powders from egg, biofortified sugar beans and Moringa oleifera leaf in rural Zimbabwe. A mixed‐methods formative study was conducted comprising the following: (i) a recipe formulation trial, (ii) trials of improved practices to assess acceptability of the intervention, and (iii) a participatory message formulation process to develop counselling modules for the IYCF‐plus intervention. Twenty‐seven mother–baby pairs were recruited between November 2019 and April 2020. Key domains affecting IYCF practices that emerged were time, emotional and physical space, cultural and religious beliefs, indigenous knowledge systems and gender dynamics. Household observations and sensory evaluation indicated high acceptability of the new ingredients. Recipe formulation and participatory message formulation by participants instilled community ownership and served to demystify existing misconceptions about the new food products. Families noted the potential for intervention sustainability because the foods could be grown locally. Supplementing complementary foods with nutrient‐dense local food ingredients as powders has the potential to sustainably address nutrient‐gaps in the diets of young children living in rural lower‐ and middle‐income countries. Comprehensive IYCF counselling utilizing a gender‐lens approach, family support and indigenous knowledge systems or resources are key elements to support positive behaviour change in complementary feeding interventions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:26:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2dbe75d0e4cb463fa3e93a7971622479 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1740-8695 1740-8709 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:26:36Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Maternal and Child Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-2dbe75d0e4cb463fa3e93a79716224792024-03-30T17:45:18ZengWileyMaternal and Child Nutrition1740-86951740-87092024-04-01202n/an/a10.1111/mcn.13605Formulation and acceptability of local nutrient‐dense foods for young children: A formative study for the Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN) Trial in rural ZimbabweDexter T. Chagwena0Shamiso Fernando1Naume V. Tavengwa2Shadreck Sithole3Chandiwana Nyachowe4Handrea Njovo5Kavita Datta6Tim Brown7Jean H. Humphrey8Andrew J. Prendergast9Laura E. Smith10Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research Harare ZimbabweZvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research Harare ZimbabweZvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research Harare ZimbabweMinistry of Health and Child Care Harare ZimbabweMinistry of Health and Child Care Harare ZimbabweMinistry of Health and Child Care Harare ZimbabweSchool of Geography Queen Mary University of London London UKSchool of Geography Queen Mary University of London London UKZvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research Harare ZimbabweZvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research Harare ZimbabweZvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research Harare ZimbabweAbstract Stunting affects almost one‐quarter of children globally, leading to reduced human capacity and increased long‐term risk of chronic disease. Despite intensive infant and young child feeding (IYCF) interventions, many children do not meet their requirements for essential nutrients. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing an IYCF intervention utilizing nutrient‐dense powders from egg, biofortified sugar beans and Moringa oleifera leaf in rural Zimbabwe. A mixed‐methods formative study was conducted comprising the following: (i) a recipe formulation trial, (ii) trials of improved practices to assess acceptability of the intervention, and (iii) a participatory message formulation process to develop counselling modules for the IYCF‐plus intervention. Twenty‐seven mother–baby pairs were recruited between November 2019 and April 2020. Key domains affecting IYCF practices that emerged were time, emotional and physical space, cultural and religious beliefs, indigenous knowledge systems and gender dynamics. Household observations and sensory evaluation indicated high acceptability of the new ingredients. Recipe formulation and participatory message formulation by participants instilled community ownership and served to demystify existing misconceptions about the new food products. Families noted the potential for intervention sustainability because the foods could be grown locally. Supplementing complementary foods with nutrient‐dense local food ingredients as powders has the potential to sustainably address nutrient‐gaps in the diets of young children living in rural lower‐ and middle‐income countries. Comprehensive IYCF counselling utilizing a gender‐lens approach, family support and indigenous knowledge systems or resources are key elements to support positive behaviour change in complementary feeding interventions.https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13605child nutritioncomplementary feedinginfant feeding behaviourlow income countriesnutrition educationqualitative methods |
| spellingShingle | Dexter T. Chagwena Shamiso Fernando Naume V. Tavengwa Shadreck Sithole Chandiwana Nyachowe Handrea Njovo Kavita Datta Tim Brown Jean H. Humphrey Andrew J. Prendergast Laura E. Smith Formulation and acceptability of local nutrient‐dense foods for young children: A formative study for the Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN) Trial in rural Zimbabwe Maternal and Child Nutrition child nutrition complementary feeding infant feeding behaviour low income countries nutrition education qualitative methods |
| title | Formulation and acceptability of local nutrient‐dense foods for young children: A formative study for the Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN) Trial in rural Zimbabwe |
| title_full | Formulation and acceptability of local nutrient‐dense foods for young children: A formative study for the Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN) Trial in rural Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | Formulation and acceptability of local nutrient‐dense foods for young children: A formative study for the Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN) Trial in rural Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Formulation and acceptability of local nutrient‐dense foods for young children: A formative study for the Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN) Trial in rural Zimbabwe |
| title_short | Formulation and acceptability of local nutrient‐dense foods for young children: A formative study for the Child Health, Agriculture and Integrated Nutrition (CHAIN) Trial in rural Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | formulation and acceptability of local nutrient dense foods for young children a formative study for the child health agriculture and integrated nutrition chain trial in rural zimbabwe |
| topic | child nutrition complementary feeding infant feeding behaviour low income countries nutrition education qualitative methods |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13605 |
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