Large Carbohydrate Research Articles

Synergistic modification of hot-melt extrusion and nobiletin on the multi-scale structures, interactions, thermal properties, and in vitro digestibility of rice starch.

Rice starch has high digestibility due to its large carbohydrate content. Synergistic modification of hot-melt extrusion (HME) and additives such as flavonoids, hydrocolloids, proteins, lipids, and other additives has the tendency to retard the rate of starch hydrolysis. Hence, the current investigation aimed to study the combined effect of the HME-assisted addition of nobiletin (NOB, 0, 2, 4, and 6%) on the multi-scale structures, interactions, thermal, and digestibility characteristics of rice starch. The study employed density functional theory calculations and an infrared second derivative of an Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer to analyze the interactions between NOB and starch. The physicochemical properties of the starch extrudates were characterized by FTIR, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry, while the digestibility was evaluated using an in vitro digestion model. HME was found to disrupt the crystalline structure, helix structure, short-ordered structure, and thermal properties of starch. The interaction between NOB and starch involved hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds, effectively preventing the molecular chains of starch from interacting with each other and disrupting their double helix structure. The addition of NOB led to the formation of a highly single-helical V-type crystalline structure, along with the formation of ordered structural domains. Consequently, the combined treatment significantly enhanced the ordered structure and thermal stability of starch, thus effectively leading to an increase in resistant starch and slowly digestion starch. The study underscores that synergistic modification of HME and NOB holds promise for enhancing both the nutritional value and functional properties of rice starch. These findings offer valuable insights for developing high-quality rice starch products with broader applications.

Commentary on Severe Hypokalaemia Associated with Paralysis after a Large Carbohydrate Intake following Exercise.

Commentary on Severe Hypokalaemia Associated with Paralysis after a Large Carbohydrate Intake following Exercise.

Commentary on Severe Hypokalemia Associated with Paralysis after a Large Carbohydrate Intake following Exercise.

Commentary on Severe Hypokalemia Associated with Paralysis after a Large Carbohydrate Intake following Exercise.

Severe Hypokalemia Associated with Paralysis after a Large Carbohydrate Intake following Exercise.

Severe Hypokalemia Associated with Paralysis after a Large Carbohydrate Intake following Exercise.

PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF RS3 OBTAINED FROM CILACAP BREADFRUIT (Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg) STARCH

Cilacap breadfruit is a variety native to Indonesia, characterized by superior properties, including fast growth, large fruit size, high carbohydrate, and starch content. This plant has a relatively high content of amylose and resistant starch (RS), allowing its conversion into RS for health benefits. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of autoclaving temperature (100, 121, and 140℃), cooling at 4ºC, and storing time (24 and 48 hours) on the formation of RS from Cilacap breadfruit, and determine its physicochemical (amylose, amylopectin, resistant starch, pasting properties, and thermal properties), as well as functional properties. The results showed that autoclaving-cooling increased the amylose and RS content, water solubility, onset, and peak of thermal temperature. The pasting properties of all parameters, gelatinization enthalpy, swelling power, and amylopectin content were decreased. Amylose content also significantly increased (p≤0.05) from 31.01±0.24 to 37.91±0.43, and RS content (p≤0.05) from 10.98±0.07 to 19.41±0.05. Furthermore, native starch and Cilacap breadfruit RS3 were categorized as high in Amylose. The autoclaving cooling process on Cilacap breadfruit starch effectively increased RS levels, making it a viable alternative for developing functional food

Extrusion assisted interaction of rice starch with rice protein and fibre: Effect on physicochemical, thermal and in-vitro digestibility characteristics

Rice starch has high digestibility due to its large carbohydrate content. Macromolecular enrichment of starch has the tendency to retard rate of starch hydrolysis. Hence, the current investigation was aimed to check the combined effect of extrusion assisted addition of rice protein (0, 10, 15 and 20 %) and fibre (0, 4, 8 and 12 %) to rice starch on physico-chemical and in-vitro digestibility characteristics of starch extrudates. It was observed from the study that ‘a’ and ‘b’ values, pasting temperature and resistant starch of starch blends and extrudates increased with the addition of protein and fibre. However, lightness value, swelling index, pasting properties and relative crystallinity of blends and extrudates decreased with the addition of protein and fibre. Maximum increase in thermal transition temperatures was observed for ESP3F3 extrudates due to absorption capacity of protein molecules which led to late onset of gelatinization. Therefore, enrichment of protein and fibre to rice starch during extrusion can be considered as a novel approach to reduce rate of rice starch digestion for catering nutritional requirements of diabetic population.

Production and Optimization of Exopolysaccharide from Thermophilic Bacteria

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are the large molecular weight carbohydrate polymers extracted from higher plants, algae, fungi and bacteria. The thermophilic Bacillus zhangzhounesis 2CA and Bacillus licheniformis 2CS used in the present study were isolated from Çermik hot springs. The growth conditions of the strains designated as 2CA and 2CS in different basal media (M1, M2 and M3), different carbon sources and different concentrations of yeast extract (%w v-1: 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2) and the amount of EPS produced were investigated. In addition, the phenol-sulfuric acid method and the Lowry method were used to determine the amount of carbohydrates and proteins within the EPS produced by the bacteria, respectively. The highest total EPS dry weight for B. licheniformis 2ÇS was obtained as 121 mg in M3 medium (0.2% yeast extract + 1% sucrose), carbohydrate content in EPS was 333.28 µg mL-1 and protein content was 0.19 µg mL-1. When these two bacteria were compared in terms of the amount of carbohydrates in the EPS produced, the highest amount of carbohydrates was found in EPS of B. zhangzhounesis 2CA (1087.03 µg mL-1). The antibacterial effects of EPS were investigated against pathogenic microorganisms (E. coli, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa). It was determined that the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli (with 16 mm zone diameter) was obtained with EPS produced by B. licheniformis 2ÇS bacteria in M3 medium (0.2% yeast extract + 1% sucrose).

Formulasi food bars berbahan baku koro pedang putih (Canavalia ensiformis) autoclaving - cooling

White jackbean is type of bean that grows in tropical and subtropical areas. White jackbean has large protein and complex carbohydrate content. The autoclaving - cooling process can be used to change starch into resistant starch in the white jackbe an flour through gelatinization and retrogradation processes. White jackbean flour treated with autoclaving – cooling process can be used as a raw material for the formulation of food bars. Currently food bars have been in great demand along with the needs to consume healthy and nutritious ready-to-eat food. This study aims to determine the appropriate formulation of white jack bean flour treated with autoclaving – cooling process to produce food bars with the best physical, chemical and organoleptic properties.The results showed that the best formulation is the formulation of white jackbean flour : wheat flour = 60 : 40 with 48.81% carbohydrate content, 14.87% protein content, 16.57% fat content, 17.07% moisture content, 2.68% ash content, 2269.3 gf breaking strength, 6.43 N texture, 79.59 color (L), 15.71 color (a), 17.21 color (b), 4.02 color organoleptic, 3.88 flavor organoleptic, 3.83 aroma organoleptic, 3.83 texture organoleptic. and 11,38% resistant starch content.

A Trypanosoma brucei β3 glycosyltransferase superfamily gene encodes a β1-6 GlcNAc-transferase mediating N-glycan and GPI anchor modification

The parasite Trypanosoma brucei exists in both a bloodstream form (BSF) and a procyclic form (PCF), which exhibit large carbohydrate extensions on the N-linked glycans and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors, respectively. The parasite's glycoconjugate repertoire suggests at least 38 glycosyltransferase (GT) activities, 16 of which are currently uncharacterized. Here, we probe the function(s) of the uncharacterized GT67 glycosyltransferase family and a β3 glycosyltransferase (β3GT) superfamily gene, TbGT10. A BSF-null mutant, created by applying the diCre/loxP method in T. brucei for the first time, showed a fitness cost but was viable in vitro and in vivo and could differentiate into the PCF, demonstrating nonessentiality of TbGT10. The absence of TbGT10 impaired the elaboration of N-glycans and GPI anchor side chains in BSF and PCF parasites, respectively. Glycosylation defects included reduced BSF glycoprotein binding to the lectin ricin and monoclonal antibodies mAb139 and mAbCB1. The latter bind a carbohydrate epitope present on lysosomal glycoprotein p67 that we show here consists of (-6Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-)≥4 poly-N-acetyllactosamine repeats. Methylation linkage analysis of Pronase-digested glycopeptides isolated from BSF wild-type and TbGT10 null parasites showed a reduction in 6-O-substituted- and 3,6-di-O-substituted-Gal residues. These data define TbGT10 as a UDP-GlcNAc:βGal β1-6 GlcNAc-transferase. The dual role of TbGT10 in BSF N-glycan and PCF GPI-glycan elaboration is notable, and the β1-6 specificity of a β3GT superfamily gene product is unprecedented. The similar activities of trypanosome TbGT10 and higher-eukaryote I-branching enzyme (EC 2.4.1.150), which belong to glycosyltransferase families GT67 and GT14, respectively, in elaborating N-linked glycans, are a novel example of convergent evolution.

Light-Triggered Release of Large Biomacromolecules from Porphyrin-Phospholipid Liposomes

Liposomes containing small amounts of porphyrin-phospholipid (PoP) have been shown to encapsulate small molecular weight cargos and then release them upon exposure to red light. A putative mechanism involves transient pore formation in the bilayer induced by PoP-mediated photo-oxidation of unsaturated lipids. However, little is known about the properties of such pores. This study assesses whether large carbohydrate and protein molecules could be released from PoP liposomes upon red light exposure. A small fluorophore with ∼0.5 kDa in molecular weight, fluorescently labeled dextrans of ∼5 and ∼500 kDa, and a ∼240 kDa fluorescent protein were passively entrapped in PoP liposomes. When exposed to 665 nm irradiation, liposomes containing PoP, but not liposomes lacking it, released all these cargos in a size-dependent manner that occurred with oxidation of unsaturated lipids included in the bilayer. Thus, this study demonstrates the feasibility of light-triggered release of large biomacromolecules from liposomes.

35years in plant lectin research: a journey from basic science to applicationsin agriculture and medicine.

Plants contain an extended group of lectins differing from each other in their molecular structures, biochemical properties and carbohydrate-binding specificities. The heterogeneous group of plant lectins can be classified in several families based on the primary structure of the lectin domain. All proteins composed of one or more lectin domains, or having a domain architecture including one or more lectin domains in combination with other protein domains can be defined as lectins. Plant lectins reside in different cell compartments, and depending on their location will encounter a large variety carbohydrate structures, allowing them to be involved in multiple biological functions. Over the years lectins have been studied intensively for their carbohydrate-binding properties and biological activities, which also resulted in diverse applications. The present overview on plant lectins especially focuses on the structural and functional characteristics of plant lectins and their applications for crop improvement, glycobiology and biomedical research.

Can coppicing planted saplings improve the growing position of mid-tolerant northern hardwood tree species in harvest gaps?

Group harvesting is often used to regenerate mid-tolerant tree species. However, in managed northern hardwood forests of the Great Lakes region, regeneration failures are common among mid-tolerant species regardless of gap size. Coppicing advance regeneration has the potential to alter recruitment patterns within harvest gaps, as some mid-tolerant species have large dormant season carbohydrate reserves in the root system. However, the comparative sprouting abilities of northern hardwood saplings are not well quantified. Furthermore, variation in light availability and chronic browsing from white-tailed deer may modify comparative sprouting abilities. In this study, we tracked the effects of dormant season coppicing and deer exclusion on the initial sprouting response and five-year survival, height growth, and final height of seven-year-old volunteer white ash saplings and planted yellow birch, paper birch, northern red oak, sugar maple, red maple, and American beech saplings across a gradient of harvest gap sizes (10–35 m diameter, <0.5–1.25 tree height) in a mature even-aged northern hardwood stand in northern Lower Michigan, USA. In addition, saplings were given a growing position ranking, which integrated sapling final height and survival status relative to competitors to evaluate the effects of coppicing and deer exclusion on sapling development. Overall, coppicing produced a strong initial sprouting response with nearly all red maple and northern red oak stems initially sprouting. In the absence of deer, appreciable differences in sprout survival and height growth occurred among mid-tolerant and intolerant species and contributed to changes in growing position. Northern red oak sprouts significantly gained growing position over all species through a combination of high survival and modest height growth across all gap sizes. In contrast, coppiced yellow birch and paper birch sprout survival was significantly lower than uncoppiced stems, which contributed to declines in growing position for both species across all gap sizes. Coppicing in the absence of deer had less effect on the growing position of mid-tolerant red maple and white ash and shade tolerant sugar maple and American beech. Without deer exclusion, browsing limited the effectiveness of coppicing by reducing height growth and final height of all mid-tolerant species. Collectively, our results indicate that coppicing does not benefit mid-tolerant species equally and is unlikely to benefit browsing-preferred species in areas with high deer density. Nevertheless, in areas of lower deer density or in situations where sprouts can be protected, coppicing may improve the competitiveness of northern red oak saplings within harvest gaps.

Suitability of different types of food stuffs for mass rearing of rice moth, corcyra cephalonica (stainton) and saw-toothed grain beetle, oryzaephilus surinamensis (l.) under laboratory conditions

Mass rearing of Corcyra cephalonica and Oryzaphilus surinamensis adults on six different types of foodstuffs namely, wheat germ, complete wheat flour, rice flour, corn flour, basbousa flour and wheat flour (zero) were evaluated. Our results obtained reveal that mean developmental period (MDP) of C. cephalonica and O .surinamensis from egg lay to emerge adult on different foodstuffs was ranged between 44.00 & 55.33 and 30.33 & 41.33 days, respectively. Longest MDP was occurred on corn flour and rice flour illustrating 55.33 and 41.33 days, resp. While, the shortest period reaching to 44.00 and 30.33 days on wheat germ. Wheat germ was recorded the maximum adult emergence (AE) % (25.33 and 69 % progeny of C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis, resp.), While, wheat flour (zero) and basbousa flour were recorded the minimum AE %, 12.33 and 27.33 %, respectively. C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis caused highest weight loss (WL) % on wheat germ and corn flour (31.88 % 13.73 %), while, corn and basbousa flours were recorded the minimum of WL % (11.43 and 4.05 %) respectively., which the least preferred foodstuffs to C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis. In comparison between the growth index (GI) of different foodstuffs, our results showed that wheat germ was the most preferred by C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis, whereas, rice flour was the least preferred host. From results chemical analysis, there was a strong correlation between GI of C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis and chemical characters. This relationship was expected as a large carbohydrate, total protein, potassium and magnesium mounts. Our results provide suitable foodstuffs to mass rearing of C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis as the large scale production.

Assessing Mealtime Macronutrient Content: Patient Perceptions Versus Expert Analyses via a Novel Phone App.

Background: People with type 1 diabetes estimate meal carbohydrate content to accurately dose insulin, yet, protein and fat content of meals also influences postprandial glycemia. We examined accuracy of macronutrient content estimation via a novel phone app. Participant estimates were compared with expert nutrition analyses performed via the Remote Food Photography Method© (RFPM©). Methods: Data were collected through a novel phone app. Participants were asked to take photos of meals/snacks on the day of and day after scheduled exercise, enter carbohydrate estimates, and categorize meals as low, typical, or high protein and fat. Glycemia was measured via continuous glucose monitoring. Results: Participants (n = 48) were 15-68 years (34 ± 14 years); 40% were female. The phone app plus RFPM© analysis captured 88% ± 29% of participants' estimated total energy expenditure. The majority (70%) of both low-protein and low-fat meals were accurately classified. Only 22% of high-protein meals and 17% of high-fat meals were accurately classified. Forty-nine percent of meals with <30 g of carbohydrates were overestimated by an average of 25.7 ± 17.2 g. The majority (64%) of large carbohydrate meals (≥60 g) were underestimated by an average of 53.6 ± 33.8 g. Glycemic response to large carbohydrate meals was similar between participants who underestimated or overestimated carbohydrate content, suggesting that factors beyond carbohydrate counting may impact postprandial glycemic response. Conclusions: Accurate estimation of total macronutrients in meals could be leveraged to improve insulin decision support tools and closed loop insulin delivery systems; development of tools to improve macronutrient estimation skills should be considered.

DNA barcode of Metroxylon sagu and others palm species using matK gene

Abstract. Abbas B, Kabes RJ, Mawikere NL, Ruimassa RMR, Maturbong RA. 2020. DNA barcode of Metroxylon sagu and other palm species using matK gene. Biodiversitas 21: 4047-4057. Palm family encompasses numerous species, and they disperse broadly across tropical and subtropical countries. The palm family is generally used as an ornamental plant, food, oil, and industrial raw materials. Species of palm that accumulate large amount carbohydrate in the trunk is sago palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottb). The objectives of this study were to explore the plastid sequence associated with matK genes in the palm family and to reveal DNA barcode of 16 genera and 28 species of the palm. Plant materials used in the studies were derived from Sago Research Center (SRC), and other palm sequences were retrieved from the GenBank, NCBI accessions. The PCR product was sequenced by the 1st Base Asia, Singapore. Sequences of the matK gene that were observed in the plastid genome of M. sagu were registered into the NCBI GenBank as DNA barcode of M. sagu. Percent query cover of Blast analysis range from 98% to 100%, and identity range from 97.70% to 100%. Plastid nucleotides associated with matK genes in the chloroplast genome of palm family were shown substantial differences in inter-genera and small differences in inter-species. Genetic distance among palm family range from 0 to 0.026 with nucleotide variation observed was of 0.008822 value. The result of molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that the palm family separated into three clades and three sub-clades based on the plastid matK gene. Species of M. sagu and M. warburgii were considered closely related as compared to other palm species. The matK gene barcoding method is one powerful tool for identification inter-genera and inter-species of the palm.

Assessment of Oral Conditions in Individuals Treated with Methadone: A Research Report.

Oral health is essential in everyone's daily life, and becomes particularly important for those individuals who have been previously drug addicted. The aim of this study was to assess oral health in patients almost at the end of a methadone-detoxification process due to heroin dependency, identifying their treatment needs. Seventeen patients, aged between 22 and 51 years, were admitted to the University Hospital of Verona after at least 6 months of being drug-free, except for standard methadone therapy (20 mg/day). Data concerning medical history, social status, drugs and nutritional habits were collected. Restorative conditions and periodontal status were evaluated clinically and radiographically. The duration of illicit drug consumption ranged from 2 to 20 years; methadone treatment duration ranged from 1 to 17 months. A total of 392 teeth were evaluated: 2 patients were diagnosed with periodontitis, whereas dental caries was widespread, affecting most frequently interproximal surfaces of the anterior teeth. Some 185 teeth needed restorations, 15 decayed teeth endodontic treatments, 21 teeth extraction, and 84 teeth were suitable for prosthetic rehabilitations. Caries and periodontal indexes were analysed according to years of heroin consumption (HYC) and months of methadone therapy (MMT), without any statistical differences (p > 0.05) found for both phases. Social and individual factors were investigated in relation with the indexes: no correlations were demonstrated. Regarding irregular food ingestion during HYC, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the full-mouth visible bleeding on probing index (FM-VBOP) and diet was found. A large carbohydrate intake consequent to methadone therapy increased caries prevalence, despite a more regular diet.

Multiple electrolyte imbalances and mixed acid-base disorder posing a diagnostic dilemma: a case report

BackgroundIn clinical practice, both the history and laboratory testing are paramount to making an accurate diagnosis. Situations in which laboratory findings and patient history are not congruent pose a diagnostic dilemma. We report a case of a young woman presenting with a myriad of electrolyte and acid-base disorders. Difficulty in reaching a unifying diagnosis persisted due to discordant patient history. We believe this case shows that lab findings will clearly portray the problems a patient has and should be given more credence in a case where the history is discordant with lab findings.Case presentationA 28-year-old Hispanic American woman presented to the emergency room of our institution with a complaint of painless and sudden onset of stiffness in her upper and lower limbs. Associated weakness worse in the distal limbs was also reported. She experienced shortness of breath with minimal exertion, diaphoresis, and anxiety. Her vital signs revealed tachycardia without corresponding fever. She was conscious, oriented, and alert. Her physical exam revealed dry mucous membranes and warm extremities. She denied recent consumption of a large carbohydrate meal, diarrhea, vomiting, use of laxatives, and use of alcohol or recreational drugs. She vaguely described two previous similar episodes in the last 7 months that spontaneously resolved. Her medical history was significant only for hypothyroidism treated with daily levothyroxine tablets. Laboratory analysis revealed the following abnormalities: an elevated anion gap with significant lactate, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, elevated mean corpuscular volume, elevated mean cell hemoglobin, and elevated liver enzymes with aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio > 2. She was hydrated with balanced crystalloids, and her electrolyte deficiencies corrected. The etiology of her multiple electrolyte abnormalities was unclear because alcohol use was vehemently denied. Extensive evaluation for causes of electrolyte disorder was undertaken, which was unrevealing. On further interrogation, she admitted to recent alcohol intoxication and several episodes of vomiting before presentation. She was advised to refrain from alcohol use and discharged afterward.ConclusionBoth patient history and laboratory analysis have a role in identifying and confirming a diagnosis. In cases in which laboratory tests are incongruous with reported history, making a unifying diagnosis can be challenging or delayed. The importance of taking a comprehensive history cannot be overemphasized, but history provided by patients may be prone to intentional or unintentional distortion, whereas laboratory findings are more objective. The case presented underscores why the lab findings should be given credence in cases in which there is discordance between lab results and the provided patient history.

Genetic Regulators and Physiological Significance of Glycogen Storage in Candida albicans.

The dimorphic human fungal pathogen C. albicans has broad metabolic flexibility that allows it to adapt to the nutrient conditions in different host habitats. C. albicans builds large carbohydrate stores (glycogen) at the end of exponential growth and begins consumption of stored carbohydrates when nutrients become limiting. The expression of genes required for the successful transition between host environments, including the factors controlling glycogen content, is controlled by protein kinase A signaling through the transcription factor Efg1. In addition to the inability to transition to hyphal growth, C. albicans efg1 mutants have low glycogen content and reduced long-term survival, suggesting that carbohydrate storage is required for viability during prolonged culture. To test this assumption, we constructed a glycogen-deficient C. albicans mutant and assessed its viability during extended culture. Pathways and additional genetic factors controlling C. albicans glycogen synthesis were identified through the screening of mutant libraries for strains with low glycogen content. Finally, a part of the Efg1-regulon was screened for mutants with a shortened long-term survival phenotype. We found that glycogen deficiency does not affect long-term survival, growth, metabolic flexibility or morphology of C. albicans. We conclude that glycogen is not an important contributor to C. albicans fitness.

Integrated biorefinery strategy for tofu wastewater biotransformation and biomass valorization with the filamentous microalga Tribonema minus

This study focused on the feasibility of using different concentrations of tofu wastewater (TW) as alternative media for Tribonema minus cultures to produce valuable biorefinery feedstock. T. minus grew mixotrophically in 100% TW with larger carbohydrate (30.99% of dry weight (DW)), protein (15.56% of DW) and chrysolaminarin (6.93% of DW) accumulations than that of in mBG-11 medium. The highest biomass concentration, 7.77 g/L, was achieved in 100% TW, and nutrient removal efficiencies of T. minus at this concentration ranged from 60.49% to 93.60%. Although smaller neutral lipid and palmitoleic acid amounts were detected in 100% TW, their productivities reached 133.77 and 67.19 mg/L/d, respectively, due to the largest biomass yield contribution, which were comparable to those in mBG-11 medium. These findings demonstrated that TW is a promising alternative medium, and an integrated TW biotransformation and biomass valorization process is proposed to achieve better economic performance and environmental sustainability.

Obesity Beliefs and Its Treatment: Insights from a Mixed Method Study in Overweight and Obese Patients and Health Care Personnel at Secondary Health Care Facility, Nigeria (OR08-04-19)

ObjectivesBackground: Overweight/obesity is a problem in Nigeria and roll out of treatment programmes at secondary health care level is a priority.Objective: This research aimed to compile a profile of behaviours and moderating factors for the development of a weight loss intervention. MethodsTwo groups of patients were recruited from outpatient clinics at secondary health care facilities. Group 1 (n = 328) completed a questionnaire on socio-demographics, medical history, body image, food choices and physical activity. Group 2 (n = 18) completed an in-depth interview on weight loss concepts/body image. Height and weight of both groups were measured. Six health care personnel were involved in key informant interviews. Quantitative data (QtD) were analysed with SPSS and in-depth interviews (qualitative = QID) with Nvivo. ResultsAbout 40% of survey respondents were overweight and 60% obese; 44.4% of in-depth interview respondents were overweight and 55.6% obese. Physical inactivity (55.8% inactive), low fruit/vegetable intake (consumed ≤ 2 times/day), high fat meat intake (consumed > 1 time/day) and large carbohydrate staple portions (consumed 2 times/day) were identified as key target behaviours (QtD). Moderating factors include underestimation of weight (QtD, QlD), satisfaction with current size although overweight/obese (QlD), co-morbidities and not obesity per se identified as problematic (QID), lack of insight in the role of physical inactivity (QlD), poor knowledge of healthy eating (QtD), too comfortable and relaxed, resulting in over-eating (QlD) and no control over body size (genes, God’s will) (QlD).From the health personnel perspective (three physicians, two matrons and one nutritionist) (QlD), only few recognised obesity as a disease. Obesity was not routinely screened for except it is obvious, partly due to lack of tools/skills. Lifestyle modification was mentioned as treatment but only the context of treatment of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. ConclusionsConsiderations for intervention development are poor food choices, physical inactivity, satisfaction with a large body size and not recognising obesity as such and lack of understanding of causes of obesity. Funding SourcesPostgraduate Academic Mobility for African Physician Scientists (PAMAPS), EU-PhD sponsorship.