OBJECTIVES: To determine vitamin A intake of children aged 2-5 years in a rural South African community one year after the implementation of a home-based food production programme targeting beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables. DESIGN: Dietary intake of children aged 2-5 years was determined during a cross-sectional survey before and one year after the implementation of a home-based food production programme. SETTING: A low socio-economic rural African community, approximately 60 km northwest of the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. SUBJECTS: Children aged 2-5 years (n = 100); 50 children from households with home-gardens producing beta-carotene fruits and vegetables (project gardens), and 50 children from households without project gardens. RESULTS: As compared with baseline data, there was a significant increase in vitamin A intake in children from households with project gardens as well as in children from households without project gardens. However, children from households with project gardens had a significantly higher vitamin A intake than children from households without project gardens. The increased vitamin A intake in those children from households without project gardens can be attributed to the availability of butternuts in the local shop (as a result of the project), and because the mothers negotiated with project garden mothers to obtain these fruits and vegetables for their children. CONCLUSION: A home-based food production programme targeting beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables can lead to an increase in vitamin A intake.
OBJECTIVES: To determine vitamin A intake of children aged 2-5 years in a rural South African community one year after the implementation of a home-based food production programme targeting beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables. DESIGN: Dietary intake of children aged 2-5 years was determined during a cross-sectional survey before and one year after the implementation of a home-based food production programme. SETTING: A low socio-economic rural African community, approximately 60 km northwest of the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. SUBJECTS:Children aged 2-5 years (n = 100); 50 children from households with home-gardens producing beta-carotene fruits and vegetables (project gardens), and 50 children from households without project gardens. RESULTS: As compared with baseline data, there was a significant increase in vitamin A intake in children from households with project gardens as well as in children from households without project gardens. However, children from households with project gardens had a significantly higher vitamin A intake than children from households without project gardens. The increased vitamin A intake in those children from households without project gardens can be attributed to the availability of butternuts in the local shop (as a result of the project), and because the mothers negotiated with project garden mothers to obtain these fruits and vegetables for their children. CONCLUSION: A home-based food production programme targeting beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables can lead to an increase in vitamin A intake.
Authors: Kevin A Lombard; Shirley A A Beresford; India J Ornelas; Carmelita Topaha; Tonia Becenti; Dustin Thomas; Jaime G Vela Journal: Health Promot Pract Date: 2013-07-12
Authors: S L Hendriks; A Viljoen; D Marais; F A M Wenhold; A M McIntyre; M S Ngidi; J G Annandale; M Kalaba; D Stewart Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-09-10 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Laurencia Govender; Kirthee Pillay; Muthulisi Siwela; Albert Modi; Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2016-12-27 Impact factor: 3.390