Development and Assessment of Breadfruit and Groundnut Diet as Complementary Weaning Dietin Umuahia Environment

Select Volume / Issue:

• Volume 3,Issue 3,May 2015

Year:

2015

Type of Publication:

Article

Keywords:

Assessment, Breadfruit, Complementary, Groundnut

Authors:

Dr. (Mrs) P. E. Mbah; Ozioma Azubuike; Busari Olabisi

Journal:

IJISM

Volume:

3

Number:

3

Pages:

146-148

Month:

May

Abstract:

This study examines the development of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and groundnut (Arachis hypogeal) mix as complementary weaning diet (CWD) for babies in Umuahia environment. The global strategy for infant feeding states that, babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health, and thereafter, receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years or beyond. Protein-energy malnutrition generally occurs during the crucial transitional phase when children are weaned from liquid to semi-solid or fully adult foods. During this period, children need nutritionally balanced, calorie-dense supplementary foods in addition to mother’s breast milk because of the increasing nutritional demands of the growing body. Thus, weaning food plays a great role on child growth and development. It is on the note that this study sought to the development of complementary diet with the commonly available food crops to the Umuahia environment. Breadfruits and groundnut were used to produce complementary meal under a hygienic condition and the organoleptic properties of the CWD were assessed by panellists in comparison with commercial complementary diet (CCD). Percentage and mean were used to analyse the assessments of the panellists. It was found out that the generally acceptability of CWD was higher than that of CCD by the panellists. In essences, recommended was made that the Umuahia people should be trained on the hygienic production of CWD in other to improved the nutritional status of the babies and infants; and also to help them save money for other things.

Full text: IJISM_375_Final.pdf [Bibtex]