Mtimuni Beatrice, Munthali Grace Timanyechi, Gama Aggrey Pemba, Chiutsi-Phiri Gabriella, Geresomo Numeri, Malunga Lovemore Nkhata, Matumba Limbikani
Faculty of Food and Human Sciences, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Department of Agricultural Research Services, Chitedze Research Station, P.O. Box 158, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Heliyon. 2023 Jun 28;9(7):e17737. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17737. eCollection 2023 Jul.
This study explored the use of hydrothermally-treated soybean-fortified maize-based stiff porridge (nsima) in managing body weight losses among the farming family community in Malawi during the labour-intensive cropping (growing) season. We hypothesized that soybean-fortified maize-based nsima could prevent seasonal body weight losses in farming communities during labour-intensive seasons better than conventional 100% maize nsima.
RESEARCH METHODS & PROCEDURES: A single-blind parallel dietary intervention 90-day study. During energy stress months, 42 farming households in Malawi were supplied with 15 kg of blind formulation of soybean-fortified maize flour (soybean: maize, 1:4, wt/wt) per person per month except for under-fives who were allotted half the quantity. Forty households were provided with equivalent quantities of 100% maize flour and served as control. Body weights of participants were taken at baseline and endpoint.
After 3 months, the experimental group registered 3.7, 4.2, 2.9, and 5.2% statistically higher body weight compared to the controls for the under-five, the 5-9-year-olds, the 10-19-year-olds, and the >20-year-olds, respectively.
Soybean-fortified stiff porridge could feasibly be used to alleviate wasting among the resource-constraint populace in Malawi and many other parts of sub-Saharan Africa that rely on maize as a major staple.
本研究探讨了经水热处理的大豆强化玉米硬粥（nsima）在马拉维劳动密集型作物种植季节用于管理农户体重减轻情况的效果。我们假设，在劳动密集型季节，大豆强化玉米nsima比传统的100%玉米nsima能更好地防止农村社区季节性体重减轻。
一项为期90天的单盲平行饮食干预研究。在能量紧张月份，除五岁以下儿童获得的量减半外，马拉维的42户农户每月每人获得15千克大豆强化玉米粉（大豆：玉米，1:4，重量/重量）的盲法配方。40户农户获得等量的100%玉米粉并作为对照组。在基线和终点测量参与者的体重。
3个月后，实验组五岁以下、5至9岁、10至19岁和20岁以上人群的体重分别比对照组高出3.7%、4.2%、2.9%和5.2%，具有统计学意义。
大豆强化硬粥可切实用于缓解马拉维和撒哈拉以南非洲许多其他以玉米为主食的资源匮乏地区民众的消瘦问题。
