Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics

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Browsing Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics by Author "Mabapa, N. S."

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    Iodine content of salt used in the National School Nutrition Programme at Mopani and Vhembe Districts in Limpopo Province, South Africa
    (2020-09-09) Ramugondo, Mpho; Mushaphi, L. F.; Mabapa, N. S.
    Background: The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) aims to foster better quality education by enhancing children’s learning capacity, encouraging regular attendance and punctuality, addressing micronutrient deficiencies and alleviating short term hunger. Iodine is one of the micronutrient which is used in NSNP in the form of iodised salt. Iodine deficieny affects an estimated 60 million school- age children in the developing world and is also associated with low test scores and cognitive function. Aim: The main aim of the study was to determine the iodine content of salt used in the NSNP. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted. The researcher aimed at describing the iodine content of salt used in schools and the iodine nutrition knowledge of the food handlers in various schools in the Mopani and Vhembe districts. The study was conducted in selected schools of Mopani and Vhembe districts receiving NSNP. The target population was food handlers employed in schools receiving NSNP from the two districts. A total of 318 schools were visited and 359 food handlers were interviewed. The salt samples were collected and analysed using standard procedures. The demographic information and the iodine nutrition knowledge were obtained using a validated questionnaire. Results: A total of 318 salt samples (Mopani=159 and Vhembe=159) were collected and analysed, representing 100% of successfully analysed. The study comprised of 359 (Mopani=200 and Vhembe=159) food handlers from two districts. Almost two thirds (64%) of the participants in Mopani district and 82.4% in Vhembe district had grades 8-12 as their highest level of education, while 4% and 5% had tertiary education in Mopani and Vhembe districts respectively. The mean iodine content was 36.53ppm and 34.24ppm in Mopani and Vhembe districts respectively which signifies adequately iodised salt. Almost three quarters (71%) of salt samples in Mopani and 65% in Vhembe were adequately (15-64ppm) iodised in this study. The results of the study suggest that almost half (47.5%) of the participants in Mopani and 34% in Vhembe had poor iodine nutrition knowledge as they could not answer the questions in the knowledge test correctly. Only 27% of the participants in Mopani and 30% in Vhembe had good knowledge. Conclusions- There are still salt samples that are inadequately iodised or not iodised at all used in the preparation of meals for NSNP in the two districts. Such instances make the programme designed to eliminate IDD fail. It can be deduced that without public awareness on the importance of iodine in the human body, the universal iodine programme will be unsuccessful.
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    Iodine status of pregnant women and children aged 6 to 12 years feeding from the same basket in Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
    (2015-02-26) Mabasa, Eric; Mbhenyanem X. G.; Mabapa, N. S.
    Introduction: Iodine deficiency (ID) is a worldwide problem that leads to impaired cognitive development, clinical goiter and the syndrome of endemic cretinism. Pregnant women and school age children are the most vulnerable groups for ID. Sufficient iodine is required during pregnancy to ensure adequate maternal thyroid hormones production. ID in utero and early childhood damages the developing brain, leading to the loss of millions of intelligent quotient (IQ) points globally. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess iodine status of pregnant women and children aged 6 to 12 years feeding from the same food basket in Mopani district, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: The study was cross-sectional conducted in five municipalities of Mopani District in Limpopo Province. The total number of clinics selected was 41. A total of 565 pregnant women and 116 children aged 6-12 years were recruited. Urine iodine concentration (UIC) and drinking water iodine concentration were analyzed using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. The salt samples were analyzed by means of the iodometric titration method. Dried blood spots on filter paper were analyzed for whole blood thyrotropin /Thyroid Stimulating Hormones (TSH) with an immunoassay. Results: The findings showed that 52.5% of household salt had iodine concentration level more than 15ppm. Most of household drinking water (41.3%) had iodine concentration level greater than 60µg/L. The median iodine concentration of drinking water in Mopani District was 46.2µg/L. Almost half of pregnant women (44.9%) had UIC level less than 150µg/L. The maternal overall median UIC level was 164µg/L indicating maternal iodine sufficiency. However, median UIC in the first and third trimesters was below 150µg/L, indicating iodine insufficiency. The TSH levels of pregnant women were measured per trimester and majority of study participants had normal TSH levels. Most children (64.3%) had UIC level greater than 300µg/L. The median UIC level of children was 386µg/L indicating excessive iodine status. Conclusion: Iodine status of children in this study was excessively high. It was twice times higher than the iodine status of pregnant women. It is difficult to explain this significant difference in iodine status of these two groups since they were feeding from the same food basket. It can then be concluded that the median UIC of school aged children may not be an adequate surrogate for monitoring iodine nutrition in pregnant women as was previously assumed.
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    Nutrition knowledge of educators in primary schools in Makhuthamaga Municipality in Limpopo Province
    (2019-09-20) Magoai, Matlou Martina; Mabapa, N. S.; Mbhenyane, X. G.
    Introduction: Nutrition education is the change process whereby beliefs, attitudes, environmental influences, and understanding about food lead to nutrition practices that are scientifically sound, practical, and consistent with individual needs and available resources Design and Methods: The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrition knowledge of educators in Makhuduthamaga municipality, Limpopo Province. Quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory research was conducted to determine the factors that influence the nutrition knowledge of educators and explore the relationship between factors and nutrition knowledge. The simple random sampling technique was employed to select 200 educators in grades 4, 5, and 6. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. The data was analysed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS), version 21. Results and Discussion: Of the educators who participated in the study, 66.5% were female, and 33.5% were males. Almost all (94%) of the educators were trained at a college and had teaching experience of between 21-30 years. Most of the educators (60.5%) had a diploma, while 0.5% had a master’s degree. Almost one third of educators indicated that children should eat three (3) times during the day, and 32% identified the important meals as breakfast, lunch, and supper. Most (36.5%) failed to give reasons why children should not skip meals. In terms of basic food and nutrition, majority of the educators (75%, 67%, 56%, and 55.5%) responded correctly on the importance of carbohydrates, fat, vegetables, and fruits, respectively. Only a quarter (26%) knew the importance of protein, while 75.5% knew that protein forms part of a balanced diet. Most of the educators knew the rich sources of vitamin A and fibre but did not know the rich sources of iron, iodine, and vitamin C. There was no significant difference between the level of education and nutrition knowledge (p= 0.129), and between training institution and nutrition knowledge (p= 0.534). Conclusion: The need to train educators on nutrition was one of the main recommendations that emanated from many research projects. Most educators mentioned that training and level of education were of the factors that affected their nutrition knowledge. Nutrition knowledge is becoming increasingly important in food choices and in this study educators acknowledged that training affected their nutrition knowledge.
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    Prevalence and determinants of obesity among adolescents in Vhembe district Municipality, Limpopo Province
    (2021-06-23) Baloyi, Brenda; Mushaphi, L. F.; Mabapa, N. S.
    Introduction: Globally obesity amongst adolescents is becoming one of the most challenging public health concerns. Prevalence of obesity among children and adolescent has dramatically increased in recent years in both developed and developing countries. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of obesity among adolescents in Vhembe district. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 377 adolescents aged 13-20years. The following measurements were carried out: anthropometric measurements, dietary assessment, biochemical measurements, blood pressure and physical activity level. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and dietary intake. Data were expressed as means and standard deviations. The statistical package for social sciences version 26 was used to analyse data. Binary logistics regression analysis was used to determine odds ratio (OR). A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The prevalence of obesity was high in females (20.3%) as compared to males (6%). Determinants of obesity in this study included gender, age, source of income, SBP, cholesterol and nutrients intake. Among male participants BMI was significantly associated with SBP (r=0.281, p=0.00), WC (r=0.661, p=0.00) and TC (r=0.223, P0.06). In female participants BMI was significantly associated with SBP (r=0.242, p=0.00), DBP (r=0.157, p=0.18) and TRIG (r=0.158 p=0.01) and negatively associated with HDL (-0.178, p=0.07). There was a high intake of macronutrients and low intake of micronutrients among adolescents in the current study. Most (males=30.7% vs females=60.8%) of adolescents had low physical activity indexes and living a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest a double burden and trend of undernutrition and overnutrition.