Cassava Intake and Vitamin A Status among Women and Preschool Children in Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundAs part of the HarvestPlus provitamin A-biofortified cassava program in Nigeria we conducted a survey to determine the cassava intake and prevalence of vitamin A deficiency among children 6-59 months and women of childbearing age in the state of Akwa Ibom.MethodsA cluster-randomized cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2011 in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. The usual food and nutrient intakes were estimated using a multi-pass 24-hour recall with repeated recall on a subsample. Blood samples of children and women were collected to analyze for serum retinol, serum ferritin, and acute phase proteins as indicators of infection. Vitamin A deficiency was defined as serum retinol <0.70 μmol/L adjusted for infection.ResultsA total of 587 households of a mother-child dyad participated in the dietary intake assessment. Cassava was very widely consumed in Akwa Ibom, mainly as gari or foofoo. Daily cassava consumption frequency was 92% and 95% among children and women, respectively. Mean (±SD) cassava intake (expressed as raw fresh weight) was 348 ± 317 grams/day among children and 940 ± 777 grams/day among women. Intakes of most micronutrients appeared to be adequate with the exception of calcium. Median vitamin A intake was very high both for children (1038 μg RAE/day) and women (2441 μg RAE/day). Red palm oil and dark green leafy vegetables were the main sources of vitamin A in the diet, with red palm oil alone contributing almost 60% of vitamin A intake in women and children. Prevalence of vitamin A deficiency ranged from moderate (16.9 %) among children to virtually non-existent (3.4 %) among women.ConclusionConsumption of cassava and vitamin A intake was high among women and children in Akwa Ibom with a prevalence of vitamin A deficiency ranging from moderate in children to non-existent among women. The provitamin A biofortified cassava and other vitamin A interventions should focus dissemination in states where red palm oil is not widely consumed.

Variations in Nutrients Composition of Most Commonly Consumed Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Mixed Dishes in South-Eastern Nigeria

“…A similar report of the frequency of consumption of cassava among children (92%) and women (95%) in Akwa Ibom State in the South-South zone of Nigeria was given by De Moura et al [14]. According to FAO and IFAD [15], cassava food products are the most important staples for rural and urban households in Southern Nigeria.…”

Carotenoids retention in biofortified yellow cassava processed with traditional African methods

“…Average TC storage retention, 68% for fufu and 82% for chikwangue , was used based on the TC storage retention obtained for Kindisa variety. Intake of 300 g of peeled cassava for children and 500 g for women was used based on cassava intake from Nigeria and production in DRC . For children aged 4–6 years, biofortified cassava would contribute 117%, 8%, or 2% of the vitamin A requirement when respectively consuming boiled cassava, chikwangue , or fermented fufu prepared with 300 g of peeled cassava roots (Table ).…”

“…Intake of 300 g of peeled cassava for children and 500 g for women was used based on cassava intake from Nigeria and production in DRC. 1,31 For children aged 4-6 years, biofortified cassava would contribute 117%, 8%, or 2% of the vitamin A requirement when respectively consuming boiled cassava, chikwangue, or fermented fufu prepared with 300 g of peeled cassava roots (Table 3). For women of child-bearing age, biofortified cassava would contribute 107%, 8%, or 2% of the EAR when 500 g of peeled cassava is eaten as boiled, chikwangue, or fufu respectively ( Table 3).…”

Staple crops biofortified with increased vitamins and minerals: considerations for a public health strategy

“…Although no biofortification effectiveness studies have been conducted in Nigeria, one randomized controlled efficacy trial showed high consumption of biofortified cassava by women and children in Akwa Iborn. 39 Currently, 672 communities and 450,000 Nigerian households have received vitamin A-rich cassava stem cuttings. Furthermore, 1,300,000 cassava stems have been disseminated and 245 processing centers have been established.…”