The contribution of dark-green leafy vegetables to total micronutrient intake of two- to five-year-old children in a rural setting

Mieke Faber,Ria Laubscher,Paul J Van Jaarsveld

doi:10.4314/wsa.v33i3.180611

Abstract

This study determined the contribution of dark-green leafy vegetables (DGLV) to total micronutrient intake of two- to fiveyear- old children residing in two neighbouring rural villages in KwaZulu-Natal where production and consumption of these vegetables were promoted. A repeated cross-sectional study that included five repeated 24 h dietary recalls per study period was done during February (n=79), May (n=74), August (n=75) and November (n=78) of 2005 by interviewing the caregivers. Consumption of spinach (mostly Swiss chard) and imifino (a collective term for various dark-green leaves) complemented each other, with imifino being consumed mostly during the first and last quarter of the year, and spinach (mostly Swiss chard) during the 3rd quarter. The proportion of children who consumed DGLV during the 5 d recall period ranged from 36% (May survey) to 86% (February survey), and the average number of times that children consumed it ranged from 1.4 (May survey) to 2.2 (February survey). The average portion size consumed was approximately ½ cup (87 ± 56 g for spinach; 87 ± 38 g for imifino). For children consuming DGLV, these vegetables contributed significantly to dietary intake of calcium (21 to 39% of total intake), iron (19 to 39%), vitamin A (42 to 68%) and riboflavin (9 to 22%).In conclusion, DGLV made a significant contribution towards total nutrient intake of the children for several of the micronutrients. This contribution can potentially be increased should these vegetables be consumed more frequently and by a larger proportion of the children.Keywords: dark-green leafy vegetables, dietary intake, micronutrients, children, rural, South Africa

Highlights

In South Africa 33% of preschool children are vitamin A deficient, 21% are anaemic and 10% are iron depleted (Labadarios et al, 1995)
The average portion size consumed by the children was approximately 1⁄2 cup (87 ± 56 g for spinach and 87 ± 38 g for imifino)
Consumption was lowest during the May survey, with only 36% of the children consuming dark-green leafy vegetables during the 5 d recall period

Summary

Introduction

In South Africa 33% of preschool children are vitamin A deficient, 21% are anaemic and 10% are iron depleted (Labadarios et al, 1995). The great majority of one- to nine-year-old children consume a diet deficient in energy and of poor nutrient density (Labadarios et al, 2000). A fundamental strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies in resource-poor communities is to increase the availability of, access to, and consumption of foods that are rich sources of micronutrients. This can potentially be achieved through food production at household level. One of the recommendations of the National Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) of 1999 was that the contribution that

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