Objective: To determine the micronutrient composition of fresh and boiled traditional green leafy vegetables (TGLVs). Design: Sixteen TGLVs categorised into cultivated and uncultivated vegetables were analysed for vitamin C (ascorbic acid [AA] and dehydroascorbate [DHAA]), β-carotene, lutein and minerals. Results: Basella alba had the highest AA (72 mg/100 g) content; Vernonia amygdalina (unwashed), had the highest β-carotene and lutein concentrations (14.1 and 29.0 mg/100 g, respectively); Amaranthus hybridus had the highest AA (43 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (9.3 mg/100 g) content, for cultivated sp. Celosia argentea had the highest Fe content; Zn content of all the vegetables was low, 0.4–2.6 mg/100 g. Cooking resulted in significant losses in AA content in all the samples, 19% in B. alba to 100% in Crassocephalum crepidioides. Carotenoid losses were observed in 10 samples and six samples had increased values of β-carotene (12% to 183%) and lutein (64% to double). Conclusion: Traditional green leafy vegetables studied were found to be rich in the micronutrients of interest, especially in carotenoids. Boiling of leafy vegetables, as traditionally done, led to considerable losses of the micronutrients. The micronutrient content of uncultivated leafy vegetables compared well with commonly cultivated species.

This study examined the contribution of food to nutrient intake, meal and dietary patterns among children aged 4–8 and 9–13 years in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria. Multi-pass 24-hour dietary recalls were used to assess intakes. Prudent and traditional Southwestern Nigerian dietary patterns were identified among children. The top foods and beverages were defined by frequency and amount consumed. Meal patterns were described by the eating occasions, while cluster analysis probed dietary patterns. About 88% of children had at least three meals including breakfast (95%), lunch (85%), dinner (92%) and midmorning meals (48%), while about 60% ate snacks at least once daily. Sources of energy and key nutrients were limited (yam, cassava, rice, maize, bread and beans/peas/legumes). The amount consumed per consumer of cassava products (192.2, 256.0 g), yam (169.7, 256.0 g), legumes (115.3, 150.7 g), corn/maize (160.4, 195.2), and rice (138.4, 182.3 g) were high, while beef (15.2, 17.9 g), eggs (50.6, 49.2 g), fish (27.5, 30.6 g), milk (24.2, 27.0 g) and nuts and seeds (18.2, 19.7 g) were low for children ages 4–8 and 9–13 years, respectively. In conclusion, while the frequency of meals suggests a healthy pattern, the top foods could not provide adequate nutrient (especially micronutrient) intake, which is key to the development of the target population.

Cocoyam is one of the important root food crops especially among the low income earners in Nigeria. However, the utilisation options of cocoyam are mainly limited to direct consumption as whole boiled or pounded tuber only, thus making it an underutilised crop. Physicochemical and pasting properties of cocoyam flour, its suitability and acceptability in biscuit making were determined. Red and white cocoyam varieties were processed into flour by sun-drying method. The physicochemical and pasting properties were compared with that of commercial wheat flour (CWF). Cocoyam flour and wheat flour blend in the ratio 10:90, 20:80, 50:50 and 100% were used to prepare biscuits and sensory evaluation was conducted. Blanched cocoyam flours had significantly higher (p<0.05) starch and amylose content than the unblanched flours: 21.36 and 21.87% starch; 44.35 and 44.20% amylose, blanched white cocoyam flour (Bl-WCF) and blanched red cocoyam flour (Bl-RCF), respectively; 21.12 and 15.56% starch and 39.36 and 43.39% amylose, unblanched white cocoyam flour (U-WCF) and unblanched red cocoyam flour (U-RCF), respectively. Peak viscosity was significantly higher (p<0.05) in blanched flours (262.79RVU and 267.58RVU, Bl-WCF and Bl-RCF, respectively) than in unblanched flours and CWF (161.79RVU, 200.58RVU and 145.54RVU, U-WCF, U-RCF and CWF, respectively). Sensory evaluation showed that biscuits made from two flour blends had high acceptability especially at 10% substitution level. Key words: Cocoyam flour, physicochemical properties, pasting properties, biscuits, sensory evaluation.

Objective: To determine the consumption pattern of selected households consuming traditional green leafy vegetables (TGLVs) during three seasons and potential contribution to recommended nutrient intakes. Design: Repeated household survey using food frequency questionnaire to obtain consumption pattern of selected TGLVs. Setting and Subjects: Selected households in a small rural farming community: pre-rainy (n = 43), rainy (n = 36) and post-rainy seasons (n = 40). Results: Corchorus olitorius and A. hybridus were the most consumed by > 70% of households across three seasons. A. esculentus and A. viridis were the least consumed TGLVs through all the seasons. Uncultivated and cultivated TGLVs could contribute between 26–> 100% and 18–96%, respectively, of recommended intake for vitamin A for children and women. For young children, both the cultivated and uncultivated TGLVs could contribute more than 50% of their RDA for iron. Conclusion: seasonal availability, and preference for certain species, determine the consumption pattern of the TGLVs studied. Uncultivated and less utilised vegetables have the potential to make significant contributions to the micronutrient requirements of women and children, especially vitamin A and iron if frequently used.

Low vegetable consumption among school-age children and adolescents puts them at risk of micronutrient malnutrition and non-communicable diseases. There is a dearth of synthesised literature on vegetable intake and interventions to promote increased consumption among this age group in West Africa. This study pooled evidence on vegetable consumption and interventions to promote vegetable consumption among school-age children and adolescents (6–19 years) in West Africa. Quantitative and qualitative studies from 2002 to 2023 were electronically searched in PubMed, African Journals Online (AJOL) and Google Scholar databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses system was adhered to in reporting this review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023444444). The Joanna Briggs Institute critical evaluation tool was used to appraise the quality of studies. Forty (40) studies met the search criteria out of n 5080 non-duplicated records. Meta-analysis was not possible due to high heterogeneity. Low vegetable consumption expressed in frequency or amounts was recorded among school-age children and adolescents in the reviewed studies. Intervention studies were mostly among adolescents; the most common type of intervention was the use of nutrition education. Insufficient evidence and high heterogeneity of studies reflect the need for more high-quality interventions using globally identified standards but applied contextually. School-age children appear to be an under-served population in West Africa with regard to nutrition interventions to promote vegetable consumption. There is a need for multi-component intervention studies that encourage vegetable consumption as a food group. Gardening, parental involvement, gamification and goal setting are promising components that could improve the availability, accessibility and consumption of vegetables.

ObjectiveThis study assessed the dietary consequences of the suspension of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) among school food vendors in Oyo State.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 315 NHGSFP food vendors. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that evaluated socio-demographics, perceptions, household food security, and dietary diversity. Perception was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale with 11 items and categorised as beneficial (1-2), neutral (3), and non-beneficial (4-5). Food security status before and after the suspension was assessed using the 21-point Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, categorised as food secure (16). Dietary diversity was assessed using the standard Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression (α0.05).ResultsAge of vendors was 46.8±8.5 years, 62.9% had 6–10-year work experience, 36.8% had NHGSFP as primary income source, and over 90% expressed a positive perception of NHGSFP. Following the NHGSFP suspension, the proportion of households reporting severe household food insecurity increased from 7.3% to 70.2%. Vendors relying solely on NHGSFP income faced twice the risk of severe food insecurity (AOR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.09–4.24) compared to diversified earners. Only 16.9% achieved MDD-W (≥5 food groups). Mildly food-insecure vendors had >10-fold higher odds of meeting MDD-W than severely food-insecure peers (AOR: 10.63; 95% CI: 4.94–22.89).ConclusionsThe National Home-Grown School Feeding suspension disrupted food vendors' livelihoods, impaired household food access, and compromised the nutritional quality of their diets. Urgent reinstatement is recommended to restore economic stability and improve food and nutrition security in this group.