Constance Rybak

1. Globally, millet has gained renewed recognition for its nutritional value and adaptability to climate stress, as highlighted during the 2023 International Year of Millets (IYM) proclaimed by the...

The present study compared the effect of passive direct solar dryer (PDSD) and passive indirect solar dryer (PISD), each followed by a 30‐day storage period, on the secondary plant metabolite and nitrate contents of amaranth, Abyssinian mustard, and pumpkin leaves. Total carotenoid contents were retained in amaranth (0.70–0.85 mg g ⁻¹ dry weight [DW]) and pumpkin leaves (1.04–1.16 mg g ⁻¹ DW) following PDSD and PISD. However, for Abyssinian mustard, a significant decrease of the total carotenoid contents (45% PDSD, 33% PISD) was observed compared to the control (oven‐dried leaves) (0.98 mg g ⁻¹ DW). Total flavonoid contents were maintained across the vegetables (2.83–78.20 mg g ⁻¹ DW) irrespective of the drying treatment, except for amaranth leaves, where a significant decline (54% PISD) was observed compared to the control (5.83 mg g ⁻¹ DW). Although no significant difference was found in total phenolic acid contents between the control and the variants in amaranth, a significantly higher content was observed in pumpkin leaves (25.12 mg g ⁻¹ DW, PDSD) compared to the control (17.38 mg g ⁻¹ DW). Exceptionally for pumpkin leaves, a significant decline of the total chlorophyll contents (18%, PDSD; 16%, PISD) was observed after a 30‐day storage compared to the initial contents (8.37 mg g ⁻¹ DW, PDSD; 6.49 mg g ⁻¹ DW, PISD). The nitrate contents obtained in this study (80–460 mg kg ⁻¹ fresh weight [FW], PDSD; 364–915 mg kg ⁻¹ FW, PISD) were below the maximum allowable limits by the European Commission Regulation (2000–4500 mg kg ⁻¹ FW), implying the safety of the dried vegetables with respect to nitrate levels. Practical Applications: This study suggests the utilization of passive solar dryers as a cost‐effective drying alternative for smallholder farmers and households in vegetable quality preservation and minimization of postharvest losses.

Improving dietary quality is challenging due to conflicting nutritional information and the availability of unhealthy food options, particularly in urban areas. Sociocognitive factors that enhance personal competence and confidence are essential for making informed food choices in this situation. This study employed the social cognitive theory (SCT) to investigate general self‐efficacy (GSE) and food literacy as sociocognitive factors influencing adult dietary quality in rural (Mkuranga) and urban (Ilala) Tanzania. Data was collected through a cross‐sectional study of 694 adults using structured questionnaires and validated instruments to gather information on GSE, food literacy, and dietary intake through interviews. Six dietary quality indicators were assessed: consumption across all five recommended food groups, dietary diversity scores (DDS), Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD‐W), noncommunicable disease (NCD)‐risk score, NCD‐protect score, and Global Dietary Recommendations (GDR) score. A regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between GSE and food literacy, categorized into three levels (limited, sufficient, and excellent), and dietary quality indicators. Participants’ mean age was 38, with the majority falling between 30 and 39 years; 67% were female, 72% lived in urban ares, and 55% completed primary education. GSE scores were significantly higher among urban and male participants, while rural participants demonstrated significantly lower food literacy scores. Urban participants showed significantly higher DDS, MDD‐W, and NCD‐risk scores. Individuals’ sufficient food literacy level showed a statistically significant positive association with DDS ( β = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.14–0.64), NCD‐protect score ( β = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.15–0.66), and GDR score ( β = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.02–0.63), as well as the likelihood of consuming all five recommended food groups and meeting MDD‐W. Having excellent food literacy was significantly associated with higher DDS and a greater likelihood of meeting MDD‐W. GSE was also significantly positively associated with DDS ( β = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01–0.04). Urban residency was negatively associated with the GDR score and positively associated with the NCD‐Risk score. Incorporating GSE, and food literacy aspects in nutrition education programs may improve dietary quality.

The effect of biodegradable film packaging and storage conditions on health-promoting secondary plant metabolite contents and microbiological quality of African nightshade leaves was investigated. African nightshade cultivated under greenhouse conditions was harvested 11 weeks after sowing, followed by storage in biopacked and unpacked conditions at 6 °C and 20 °C for 7 days. Utilisation of biopacks significantly reduced fresh weight losses (83%–96% at 6 °C; 82%–96% at 20 °C) compared to unpacked samples (65%–71% at 6 °C; 39%–49% at 20 °C), with significantly higher losses in samples at 20 °C. Leaf colour attributes were better retained in biopacked than unpacked samples, with the exception of biopacked samples at 20 °C (day 7), which showed increased leaf yellowing. Except the chlorophyll content; phenolic acids (92%), flavonoids (82%), and carotenoid (99%) contents were retained during storage at both temperatures irrespective of the packaging conditions. In contrast, the ascorbic acid content declined by at least 36% in both biopacked and unpacked samples during storage. With respect to food safety aspects, the use of biopacks did not reduce microbial counts, except for the total bacterial (2.96 log CFU g−1) and mould (3.09 log CFU g−1) counts at 6 °C storage.

Despite initial progress, overall development toward zero hunger is not promising. Combating all forms of malnutrition is a complex challenge that requires complex answers from the local to global scales. To support a common understanding and to develop a joint approach that adequately addresses these challenges, an expert panel discussion was organized during the “Nutrition for Growth Summit Tokyo” on (7–8) December 2021 entitled “Multi-sectoral systems approach to holistically tackle malnutrition” upon which this article is based. We highpoint the requirement for actual access to ideas that move beyond the abstract and mostly figurative acknowledgment of the importance of bringing all actors together to combat malnutrition. Four entry points for a food-based multi-sectoral system approach to holistically tackle the burden of malnutrition were agreed upon. These entry points are not discrete, single entities but rather require integrated approaches. While we argue for an integrated approach building on all four interlinked components, it is important to note that the degree of each component's integration is context-dependent and that the examples presented as possible implementation strategies do not apply to all countries alike.

Inadequate consumption of micronutrient-dense and protein-rich foods such as vegetables, legumes and meat is an important contributing cause for anemia and deficiencies of vitamin A and iron in rural communities of Tanzania and Mozambique. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status (anthropometrics and hemoglobin) and diets in particular micronutrient intake of female and male pigeon pea farmers from Lindi, Tanzania, and Gurué, the Zambézia province of Mozambique. A total of 1526 farmers (669 from Tanzania, 857 from Mozambique) were studied, of whom 16% were overweight and 35% were anemic. The highest prevalence of overweight and anemia, at 35% and 48%, was observed in Tanzanian and Mozambican women, respectively. Overall, only a small proportion of women and men reached the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin A (10%), iron (51%) and zinc (44%). Multiple regression models revealed that dark green leafy vegetables (DGLVs) highly predicted vitamin A intake, whereas legumes in Tanzania and starchy plants in Mozambique were actually the dominant sources of vitamin A. Cereals covered over half of the iron and the zinc intake in both countries. An increased consumption of micronutrient-rich DGLVs and legumes, while reducing the high amounts of refined maize or polished rice, is suggested to counteract the high prevalence of anemia and overweight among smallholder farmers in East and South Eastern Africa.

The increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity may already have reached the farmers in Tanzania and Mozambique. Here, the measurement of the mid-upper-arm-circumference (MUAC) could become a simple and sensitive tool for early detection of at-risk groups of overweight as well as underweight. Body Mass Index (BMI) and MUAC of female and male farmers (n = 2106) from different regions of Tanzania and the Zambézia province, Mozambique, were analyzed by region, sex, age, and correlates. MUAC cut-offs, calculated via BMI cut-offs (2), and multiple linear regression (MLR), compared to those selected by highest Youden’s index (YI) value, were assessed. The study showed an overall higher prevalence of overweight (19%) than underweight (10%) due to the high number of overweight female farmers (up to 35%) in southern Tanzania. BMI, which was mainly and positively predicted by MUAC, was higher in Tanzania and among female farmers, and decreased significantly from the age of ≥65 years. MUAC cut-offs of <24 cm and ≥30.5 cm, calculated by MLR, detected 55% of farmers being underweight and 74% being overweight, with a specificity of 96%; the higher cut-off <25 cm and lower cut-off ≥29 cm, each selected according to YI, consequently detected more underweight (80%) and overweight farmers (91%), but on the basis of a lower specificity (87–88%). Overweight was evident among female farmers in East Africa. MUAC cut-offs, whether defined via linear regression or Youden’s Index, could prove to be easy-to-use tools for large-scale screenings of both underweight and overweight.