|
Project information
»The problem
In the sorghum and millet zones of West Africa, the prevalence
of iron and zinc deficiencies is high as a result of peoples'
increasing dependence on a solely plant-based diet. Micronutrient
sufficiency is harder to achieve in vegetarian diets since
the micronutrients present in plants generally have low bioavailability.
Iron and zinc deficiencies have extremely devastating effects
on human health. Iron deficiency increases maternal and infant
mortality and has adverse effects on cognitive abilities and
the ability to do productive work. In Mali, there is a high
incidence of anemia in both women of reproductive age (63%)
and children 6-59 months of age (88%). Rates of iron deficiency
anemia may also be used as suggestive evidence of the risk
of zinc deficiency, which is associated with impaired growth,
immune and neurocognitive functions. The challenge is how
to address micronutrient deficiency problems using affordable,
locally available sources.
»The approach
 Project
workplan
The project will conduct a household level survey and analysis
of the entire food system in the target communities to improve
understanding of the critical determinants of nutritional
status and to identify locally available food resources and/or
superior food processing/preparation practices that would
help improve micronutrient sufficiency in particular and nutrition
in general.
»The goals
To improve iron and zinc nutrition in sorghum and millet
based cropping zones of Mali by:
1. Carrying out a survey that will lead to an improved understanding
of the factors that contribute to poor zinc and iron nutrition
and to the identification (and subsequent promotion) of opportunities
to exploit locally available food resources and practices
that would help mitigate the problem.
2. Analyzing the zinc and iron content of locally available
food stuffs to identify nutrient dense foods and/or foods
that may enhance or inhibit micronutrient uptake.
3. Carrying out nutrition education and promotion of specific
useful interventions in the target communities.
»Back to top
Investigators
Principal Investigator
Marjon Tuinsma, Helen
Keller International, Mali
Collaborators
»Back to top
___________________________
Annual progress reports
Click the links below for annual progress reports.
|
»Original grant
|
Year 1 (3/2006-2/2007)
English |
|
Year 2 (3/2007-2/2008)
English |
|
Year 3 (3/2008-2/2009)
Due 3/31/2009 |
|
Year 4 (3/2009-2/2010)
Due 3/31/2010 |
|
»Back to top
___________________________
Publications
None listed as of
.
»Back to top
|
 |
