Nutritional Quality of Formulated Complementary Foods and their Biological Effects for Tackling Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Countries

Abstract

Toddlers malnutrition is a health problem in developing countries like those found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Owing to prevalence of poverty, families are generally not able to afford the commercial complementary foods available in the market stalls, since such complementary foods are imported and made from non-local foodstuffs. In order to overcome these issues, FAO/WHO recommends the use of local foodstuffs in formulation of complementary foods and defines the virtues that the complementary foods should possess. In this light, researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa have proposed several formulations of complementary foods. The present work reviews these research findings on complementary foods available in the Sub-Saharan Africa utilizing the local food materials, the treatment that is required to be meted to such food ingredients, nutritional quality of formulated complementary foods and ultimately their biological effects. The limitations of the research work, if any, has been highlighted and the means to take such research forward that would be helpful in the production and commercialization of cost-effective complementary foods possessing requisite nutritional quality and biological effects as per dietary norms laid down by competent authorities.

Conservation Agriculture Affects Grain and Nutrient Yields of Maize (Zea Mays L.) and Can Impact Food and Nutrition Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…It is usually first served as thin porridge and later in infancy, it is substituted by thicker porridge and complemented with soups of vegetables and fish ( 5 , 6 ). The low nutritional value of complementary foods is associated with a high incidence of stunting in low-income countries ( 6 – 8 ). Therefore, it is essential to understand the factors affecting the nutritional quality of maize to predict and mitigate nutrient deficiencies and related diseases.…”