Nepfumbada Gundo, Dzinamarira Tafadzwa, Mashamba-Thompson Tivani Phosa
University of KwaZulu-Natal - Howard College Campus, Durban, South Africa.
Arch Public Health. 2021 Nov 30;79(1):217. doi: 10.1186/s13690-021-00743-9.
The use of indigenous food (IF) such as green leafy vegetables and fruits in rural communities has been the primary source of their diet despite being replaced by food high in sugar and fats. South Africans are over-reliant on maize and should diversify their diets to include more indigenous fruits and vegetables to improve nutrition. Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers positively influence healthy eating among children under five years. This study aimed for ECD stakeholders to co-create an IF diet for children under five in ECD centers.
A sequential explanatory mixed-method design was employed. We conducted focus group discussions with stakeholders using the community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach and the nominal group technique ranking method to develop children's acceptable indigenous food diet. Data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. We employed a thematic approach to analyze data using a Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (intervention characteristics, inner setting, outer setting, individuals involved in implementation, and the implementation process. We used statistical analysis to analyze quantitative data collected through surveys.
Participants developed an IF diet. Participants were six ECD stakeholders (ECD managers, social workers, and dieticians) aged 34-52. Participants identified and voted for Ditokomane, Oranges, Mabele soft porridge, Dithotse, and Dinawa as components of an IF that are suitable and acceptable for children under five years as an IF diet appropriate and adequate for children under five years ECD centers will implement.
Implementation of the developed IF diet can be considered an intervention towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and sustainable agriculture. The study suggests that the IF diet could scale up the use of IF to fulfill dietary requirements for children under five years and preserve indigenous knowledge.
尽管农村社区的饮食已被高糖高脂肪食物所取代，但食用绿叶蔬菜和水果等本土食物仍是他们饮食的主要来源。南非人过度依赖玉米，应使饮食多样化，纳入更多本土水果和蔬菜以改善营养。幼儿发展（ECD）中心对五岁以下儿童的健康饮食有积极影响。本研究旨在让ECD利益相关者共同为ECD中心五岁以下儿童创建一种本土食物饮食。
采用序列解释性混合方法设计。我们使用基于社区的参与性研究（CBPR）方法和名义小组技术排序法与利益相关者进行焦点小组讨论，以制定儿童可接受的本土食物饮食。数据采用定性和定量方法进行分析。我们采用主题方法，使用实施研究综合框架（干预特征、内部环境、外部环境、参与实施的个人和实施过程）来分析数据。我们使用统计分析来分析通过调查收集的定量数据。
参与者制定了一种本土食物饮食。参与者为六名年龄在34至52岁之间的ECD利益相关者（ECD经理、社会工作者和营养师）。参与者识别并投票选出迪托科马内、橙子、马贝莱软粥、迪托塞和迪纳瓦作为本土食物的组成部分，这些对五岁以下儿童是合适且可接受的，是ECD中心将实施的适合五岁以下儿童的适当且充足的本土食物饮食。
实施所制定的本土食物饮食可被视为朝着实现联合国可持续发展目标2（消除饥饿、实现粮食安全、改善营养和可持续农业）的一项干预措施。该研究表明，本土食物饮食可以扩大本土食物的使用，以满足五岁以下儿童的饮食需求并保留本土知识。
