Objectives:  Bauchi is one of the 36 states in Nigeria, the seventh most populous country in the world. This area has the second highest prevalence of thinness among women; with unacceptably high proportions of children 0 – 5 years being stunted. Household dietary intake is believed to be an underlying factor for this nutrition situation. Determination of the nutritional composition of traditional foods is essential in order to evaluate the dietary drivers of undernutrition, and to design interventions to promote sustainable, healthy diets. Yet data on the nutritional composition of traditional foods are lacking.  Thus, this study measured the proximate and mineral composition of 31 traditional, composite foods consumed in Bauchi State, Nigeria.  Methods: Proximate analyses and assays for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and calcium (Ca) were conducted according to methods stipulated by AOAC International. Results: The protein content (9.12%) of dambun tsakin masara da alaiho (maize grits and spinach) and the Ca, Fe and Cu concentrations (89.64 mg, 6.01 mg and 0.31 mg per 100 g, respectively) of dambun gero da zogale (millet and Moringa) were the greatest among granulated dumplings. Danwake wake da dawa (cowpea and sorghum) had the greatest protein composition (4.78%) while danwaken gujiya da masara (Bambara nut and maize) had the highest Fe, Zn and Cu concentrations (3.97 mg, 1.20 mg and 0.28 mg, respectively) per 100 g of cooked dough balls. Miyan karago (powdered peanut cake soup) had the greatest protein concentration (11.40 %) per 100 g of soup. Among cereal paps, puddings and porridges, Chanchangan dawa (sorghum, peanut and beans porridge) had the highest protein content (6.43%). Of all foods analyzed, dambun naman rago (shredded, fried mutton) and awara (spicy, fried tofu) were richest in protein (49.31% and 16.86%) and iron (9.20 and 8.32 mg/100g), respectively. Conclusion: Traditional foods with good nutrition profiles are available to support adequate nutrition of women and children in rural households in Bauchi State, despite widespread undernutrition.

Objectives High levels of stunting (49.1%), underweight (29.9%) and anemia (70.4%) are common in children <5 years of age in northeastern Nigeria. The nutritional composition of diets fed in the home is of prime importance for the anthropometric and micronutrient status of children. Yet there is paucity of data on the nutrient profile of numerous foods that are part of traditional diets in northeastern Nigeria. This study evaluated the proximate and mineral content of 31 traditional, composite foods consumed in Bauchi state, Nigeria. Methods Proximate analysis was conducted via a modified version of the AOAC International (2006) method. Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and calcium (Ca) concentrations were determined from samples by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results Of three types of danwake (cooked cereal dough balls/dumplings), danwake wake da dawa (beans with sorghum) had the highest protein (4.78%). Danwake gujia da masara (Bambara nuts with maize) had the greatest Fe (3.97 mg), with Zn (1.20 mg) and Cu (0.28 mg)/100 g). Dambun tsakin masara (maize grits, peanut cake and spinach) had the highest protein (9.12%) of five types of dambu (granulated cereal dumplings). Per 100 g of dambu, Fe (6.01 mg), Zn (1.57 mg), Cu (0.31 mg) and Ca (89.64 mg) of dambun gero da zogale (millet, moringa and peanut cake) was the highest. Of nine soups, miyan kubewa (okra) was lowest in protein (1.90%), while miyan karago (peanut cake) was highest in protein (11.40%), with Fe, Zn and Cu (5.49, 1.30 and 0.33 mg, respectively). Shredded, fried, mutton (dambun naman rago) and soy curds (awara) were excellent sources of protein (49.31% and 16.86%), Fe (9.20 and 8.32 mg), Zn (7.54 and 1.72 mg), and Ca (138.76 and 52.40 mg)/100 g). Of ten cereal puddings, paps and porridges, chanchangan dawa (sorghum, beans and peanut) and danmalele [maize and palm oil pap (used as a weaning food], had the highest (6.43%) and lowest (1.22%) protein, respectively. Porridge made from leftover pudding crust (gwaten kanzo) was high in Fe (3.12 mg/100 g). Conclusions Foods prepared with two different legumes in addition to cereals, were the richest sources of protein and micronutrients compared to other mixtures. Peanut cake and soy curds are cheap sources of protein and minerals, which can improve diets in northern Nigeria, when combined with starchy staples. Funding Sources This study was funded by Oxfam LINE Project, Bauchi.

Objectives Bauchi State has the second highest prevalence of acute malnutrition (13%) among girls and women in Nigeria. Individual and household-level factors that may influence the food consumption of rural adolescent girls were explored in six local government areas of Bauchi State in Northern Nigeria. Methods Focus group discussions were used to collect data from unmarried girls (11–16 years). Each of the six discussions had eight participants. Discussions were conducted in the Hausa language, tape recorded by skilled interviewers, transcribed, translated into English and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Emerging themes from this study included age at marriage, knowledge of basic nutrition concepts, foods perceived as nourishing for girls and women, food preferences of adolescent girls, and gender inequities in household access to food. Intended and actual ages at marriage overlapped significantly and ranged from 13–20 years. The concern about not finding a husband after a certain age, and a desire to be independent of parents were common reasons for early marriage. The knowledge of basic concepts in nutrition including types of nutrients and food groups was minimal. When asked what foods were perceived to be nourishing for women and girls, participants mentioned cereals mostly, a few plant and animal protein foods, but also ultra-processed foods and drinks. In order of taste preference, adolescent girls chose cereal foods, ultra-processed foods, animal source foods, legumes, tubers and vegetables. Rice and pasta were the most preferred food items, while fruit and dairy products were not mentioned. Prevailing limited access to animal source foods was attributed to large household size and financial constraints. All participants reported receiving smaller food portions than their adolescent male siblings. Perceived reasons for this disparity include the contribution of boys to farm labor and household income, gender stereotypes (“just because they are boys”), and their larger body frames and appetites. Some believed that boys needed more food for energy in order to impregnate girls. Conclusions Early marriage, poor nutrition knowledge and disparities in access to food may influence food consumption and, thus, contribute to poor nutritional status in adolescent girls in Bauchi State. Funding Sources Oxfam LINE Project, Bauchi funded the study.

Objectives Poor infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) can undermine the nutrition and health status of individuals in vulnerable households. Bauchi state, Nigeria, has the fourth highest prevalence of child malnutrition in the country, yet over 80% of the population is involved in agriculture. This study evaluated the predictors of IYCF practices of rural farming households in Bauchi state, Nigeria Methods This study was conducted in six Local Government Areas of Bauchi state. A total of 720 mothers and fathers were selected from households with at least one child under 5 years. Household socio-demographic features and information on infant and young child feeding (IYCF questionnaire of the World Health Organization), were collected using Open Data Kit Collect, a mobile app. Descriptive statistics were computed, and relationships between variables were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation and multivariate analyses. Results The mean age (27.2 ± 7.2 years vs. 41.7 ± 10.6 years) and monthly income (∼$4.85 vs. ∼$39.88) of the mothers and fathers respectively, were different (P < 0.05). Twenty-six (3.9%) mothers and 165 (23%) fathers had completed secondary or post-secondary education. The rates of exclusive (20.7%) and timely initiation (29.0%) of breastfeeding were poor. Only 26.0% of children 6–23 mo. received the minimum acceptable diet (minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency). Mothers’ education was positively correlated with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, while continued breastfeeding at 15 months of age was positively associated with fathers’ income (P < 0.05). Both mothers’ and fathers’ income and education were positively associated with dietary diversity (P < 0.05). Low income and poor education of mothers were negative predictors of timely initiation of breastfeeding, while mothers’ occupation, household size, and the number of children per household were negative predictors of dietary diversity (P < 0.05). Conclusions Infant and young child feeding practices in the rural farming area were influenced by parents’ income and education, and were below optimum levels needed to prevent malnutrition. Funding Sources This research was funded by Oxfam LINE Project, Nigeria. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

Objectives In Africa, Nigeria has the largest economy and the greatest investment in agriculture. Yet, the country ranks 103rd of 116 in the Global Hunger Index, and only 23% of children receive diets with the minimum diversity. Inadequate consumption of nutrient-dense foods is an underlying cause of undernutrition. This study qualitatively evaluated the food production and consumption of rural households in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Methods Data were collected via six focus group discussions with 48 women of child-bearing ages 16–33 years, from farming households in six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Bauchi State. Discussions were conducted in the Hausa language; audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English, analyzed and organized into themes. Results Emerging themes include foods produced and consumed, food processing/preservation methods, foods perceived as nourishing and experiences of hunger. Commonly produced foods included nine starchy staples, seven legumes/oil seeds, 11 vegetables, four types of fruits and eight types of livestock. In three of six LGAs, commonly consumed foods were from only three food groups including starchy staples, legumes and vegetables. Dairy was listed only in two LGAs and meat in one LGA. Husbands reportedly ate good food, including meat outside the home, but such foods were often unavailable for household members. Participants believed that because they are women, and live in villages, one should eat whatever is available. Crops produced for their cash value were often not consumed. Harvested crops were preserved/processed via traditional methods associated with nutrient losses, including sun-drying and winnowing off the outer layers of milled grains. Mothers generally knew what foods were nourishing, but did not provide these for their children because these were sold for financial gain. Widespread food shortages, initially perceived to affect only women, reportedly disrupted household harmony and precipitated visible signs of child malnutrition. Conclusions A variety of agricultural food products that can contribute to adequate nutrient intakes are produced by rural households in Bauchi State, yet diets are limited in diversity. Thus, urgent strategies are needed to promote dietary diversity, and optimize the food systems for improved nutrition of women and children. Funding Sources Oxfam LINE Project, Bauchi.