Local Food Resources to Fight Children Malnutrition and Infectious Diseases in Mozambique

Abstract

Objective: To develop sustainable recipes, using local food resources, as a possible solution to manage children malnutrition and nutritional lack in Mozambique, thus preventing infectious diseases. Methods:Our work was based on the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) reports for children aged 4-8 years old. After having listed more than 60 commonly consumed local foods in Mozambique, we developed some recipes, indicating composition, energy and nutrients values. Information on nutrients concentrations was taken from the National Nutrient Database for Standard References, the Food Composition Tables for Mozambique and the Research Center for Aliments and Nutrition. In the recipes, the traditional way of listing ingredients was reported, which were then turned into international, standardized values. Results:We elaborated some different local food recipes, easy to prepare, at low cost and useful in a systematic approach in order to fight malnutrition in Sofala Province, Mozambique. Each recipe included functions and daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of: water, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, fibers, sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins. We suggested recipes richer in vitamins and micro/macro nutrients for breakfast, while those providing high caloric intake were more indicated for the main meal. The resulting recipes have been made understandable, for both local and international population, thanks to the coexistence of traditional and international description of ingredients. Conclusion:Local recipes approach is a possible promising tool among the most cost-effective/high impact interventions against child malnutrition and mortality from infectious diseases in Mozambique. a general improvement in food production and availability of food [16]. Different and various strategies have been adopted to fight the malnutrition problem and the food-based approach in prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies as well as nutrition, is fully recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [10,17]. Local Food Resources to Fight Children Malnutrition and Infectious Diseases in Mozambique