Child acceptability of a novel provitamin A carotenoid, iron and zinc-rich complementary food blend prepared from pumpkin and common bean in Uganda: A randomised control trial

Abstract

Background Homemade complementary foods (CFs) fed to children in Uganda are usually devoid of vitamin A, iron and zinc. Novel homemade CFs rich in vitamin A, iron and zinc need to be developed, and assessed for their acceptability among target children. Objective Homemade provitamin A carotenoid (PVAC), iron and zinc-rich complementary food (CF), common bean pumpkin blend (BPB) formulated from pumpkin ( Sweet cream ) and common bean ( Obwelu ) and PVAC-rich pumpkin blend (PB) from Sweet cream were prepared by expert peer mothers. This study compared child acceptability of BPB and PB (control). Methods The cross-over acceptability study randomly assigned Ugandan children 6 to 24 months old to either receive 100g of BPB (n=35) or 100g of PB (n=35) on day one. After a washout period of one day, children crossed over to receive either BPB (n=35) or PB (n=35). The amount of CF consumed, duration of consumption, and micronutrient intake were assessed. CF was acceptable if children consumed ≥ 50g (50%) of served food (100g). A paired t-test was used to determine the mean differences within participants between BPB and PB. Results The mean consumption of BPB and PB was 53.9g and 54.4g, respectively. The mean duration for consumption of BPB and PB was 20.6 and 20.3 minutes, respectively. There was no significant difference in amounts consumed, and duration of consumption in BPB and PB (P>0.05). The mean intake of vitamin A was significantly higher (P<0.00001) in PB (152.5 µgRAE) compared to BPB (100.9 µgRAE). The mean iron intake was significantly higher in BPB (1.1mg) (P<0.00001) compared to BP (0.3mg). Furthermore, zinc intake was significantly higher (P<0.00001) in BPB (0.58mg) compared to BP (0.13mg). Conclusion A homemade CF, BPB, made from locally available common bean and pumpkin is rich in PVAC, iron and zinc and is acceptable to children in the age range of complementary feeding in Uganda.