The health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding on survival, growth and development of a child as well as health and well being of a mother are well documented. The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are among organizations promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Factors influencing breastfeeding have been well researched but there is paucity of data on factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding practices. This study aimed to esta...
Zinc is an essential micronutrient for human health. Its numerous structural and biochemical functions at the cellular and sub cellular level makes it very important during pregnancy. Maternal serum Zn levels at the time of conception and in pregnancy plays a major role in maternal and child health. It is an important determinant of foetal growth and development. Despite availability of data to demonstrate widespread micronutrient deficiency in pregnancy, minimal studies have examined the sta...
Adolescent overweight and obesity have been observed as one of serious public health challenges of the 21st century by the World Health Organization (WHO). Over the past few decades adolescent food consumption has undergone a great deal of transition from the starchy carbohydrates from roots and tubers to the highly refined cereals and sugary beverages. The highly refined cereals consumption contributes in no small measure to body adiposity. Physical inactivity further aggravates the calorie...
ABSTRACT Methods used to assess overweight and obesity generate information that can be used to design interventions and policies which can address over-nutrition. Dietary practices, physical activity and anthropometry are the commonly used methods for assessing overweight and obesity. However, studies have cited their limitations since these methods do not indicate fat mass which is the factor that predisposes individuals to weight-related health risks. This study aimed to validate anthrop...
ABSTRACT Infant and young child feeding practices have substantial consequences for the growth, development, and survival of infants and children. Children should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life and thereafter continue to breastfeed for 2 years or longer. Children are vulnerable to malnutrition thus nutrition and health status of the confined children is of interest. The purpose of this study was to establish the feeding practices and the nutritional status of children...
ABSTRACT Globally, uncontrolled hypertension is a health priority since it raises the risk for the onset of renal failure, heart disease and diabetes. Hypertension complications contribute to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Optimal blood pressure can be achieved by putting in place strategies that encourage routine physical activity engagement and intake of health diets among hypertensive patients. Patient related factors which include unhealthy dietary practices, poor nutrition statu...
ABSTRACT Adolescents regularly participating in sports and do not meet their energy intake may develop several medical conditions, such as disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction, and decreased bone mineral density, collectively referred to as the Female Athlete Triad (FAT). Limited data is available on components of FAT in adolescent athletes of African descent. This study’s aim was to investigate the presence of the components of the female athlete triad amongst a group of junior long fe...
ABSTRACT Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the fifth stage of the quiet stages of Chronic Kidney Disease. Optimal nutrition, medical treatment and management are inevitable in improving the quality of life, reducing morbidity and thus mortality of the patients. While there is no clear data on prevalence and incidence rates in Kenya and most developing countries, Kidney Disease is one of the most serious and currently emerging non-communicable diseases and continues to undermine the heal...
ABSTRACT Obesity are on the increase and is a major public health concern globally. Currently, there is a surge in overweight and obesity among the HIV-positive population in Africa. Overweight and obesity are associated with increased rates of chronic diseases globally. However, the identification and understanding of factors associated with overweight and obesity among persons living with HIV (PLHIV) remain uninvestigated in Kenya. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight ...
ABSTRACT Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is currently second, after cancer, as the most frequent cause of death among HIV-positive subjects in areas of the world where Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is widely available. Dyslipidemia is an important adaptable cardiovascular risk factor that is a widespread clinical feature of HIV-infected patients in the present era of HAART. Peanuts are a rich source of magnesium, folate, fibre, α- tocopherol, copper, arginine and resveratrol. ...
ABSTRACT Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) has been demonstrated to have numerous benefits both to the mother and the infant. Inappropriate feeding practices can have profound consequences for the growth, development and survival of infants and children. EBF protects infants against infections such as respiratory infections, diarrhoea and reduces the risk of the mother developing obesity, breast and ovarian cancer among others. Despite various efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding, the rate ...
Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) and iron deficiency Anemia (IDA) affect children below five years globally. Studies in Kenya show levels of stunting (26%), wasting (4%), underweight (11%) and low iron intakes (7%) among children aged 6-23 months. These children are at critical period of rapid growth marked by malnutrition which can be irreversible if not effectively addressed. The standard CSB to manage PEM is inadequate in energy and micronutrients. Spirulina powder is richer in prot...
ABSTRACT Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a permanent and progressive loss of kidney function, resulting in deterioration of renal function. The overall management of CKD focuses on medication, dialysis, transplant and nutrition. The importance of nutritional evaluation and diet therapy in the overall management of the patients with CKD is very important; its application is limited by lack of knowledge regarding the requirement for certain nutrients in health and the way in which these require...
ABSTRACT Micronutrient deficiencies pose major health challenges in many African countries with certain population groups such as women of reproductive age being at a greater risk. African leafy vegetables form part of local agricultural biodiversity and have been part of the daily livelihoods of the local populations for many years. These vegetables hold promise in addressing micronutrient deficiencies if their supply and consumption are scaled up through the right application of appropriate...
ABSTRACT Iron deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies in the world today. Maternal anemia is still a cause of considerable prenatal morbidity and mortality. The number of anemic women in the world is estimated to be 56 million, majority of them (75-80%) being diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. In Kenya iron deficiency for women of reproductive age is at 48% while anemia in pregnancy is at 55%. One of the most important factors responsible for maternal iron deficien...