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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Commodity Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #242608
Title: Quality characteristics and acceptability of low cost weaning blends by Zambian mothers

Author
item HAYES, ROBERT - Collaborator
item ZULU, RODAH - University Of Zambia
item MULENGA, D - University Of Zambia
item KAPUTO, M - National Council For Scientific Research-Cnrs

Submitted to: African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2017
Publication Date: 7/1/2017
Citation: Hayes, R.E., Zulu, R.M., Mulenga, D.K., Kaputo, M.T. 2017. Quality characteristics and acceptability of low cost weaning blends by Zambian mothers. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development. 17(3):12256-12279. https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.79.15855.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.79.15855

Interpretive Summary: Background. There is nutritional need for enough protein and energy among Zambian babies living in low income areas of frequent household food shortage. Objective. To determine usefulness, as seen by Zambian mothers, of baby food mixtures. These mixtures were made by computer optimization to be enough in protein and calories, and yet at low cost, by using foods available in local markets. Methods. Nine food mixtures were compared. One group of 127 mothers (or guardians) of children 6 to 27 months judged cooked porridges prepared from the mixtures. Another group of 140 mothers of children from 5 to 30 months tried uncooked porridge mixtures. Results. In addition to maize meal and nonfat dry milk, the most acceptable mixtures contained bambara nuts or soybeans as main ingredients. Mixtures with a lot of of millet, sorghum or kapenta were mostly not liked. The color of the mixture may help determine if a mixture may be liked. Conclusions. Acceptability results of this study may be dependent on cost, food donations, mother's education, and local conditions. The total nutrition of the child must considered in addition to protein/energy needs.

Technical Abstract: Background. There is nutritional need for enough protein and energy among Zambian babies living in low income areas of frequent household food shortage. Objective. To determine usefulness, as seen by Zambian mothers, of baby food mixtures. These mixtures were made by computer optimization to be enough in protein and calories, and yet at low cost, by using foods available in local markets. Methods. Nine food mixtures were compared. One group of 127 mothers (or guardians) of children 6 to 27 months judged cooked porridges prepared from the mixtures. Another group of 140 mothers of children from 5 to 30 months tried uncooked porridge mixtures. Results. In addition to maize meal and nonfat dry milk, the most acceptable mixtures contained bambara nuts or soybeans as main ingredients. Mixtures with a lot of of millet, sorghum or kapenta were mostly not liked. The color of the mixture may help determine if a mixture may be liked. Conclusions. Acceptability results of this study may be dependent on cost, food donations, mother's education, and local conditions. The total nutrition of the child must considered in addition to protein/energy needs.