Incorporating OFSP in Recipes Contributes to Eradicating Vitamin A Deficiency among Women of Reproductive Age and Preschool Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: an Excel based Simulation Model

Abstract

Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) is one of the leading contributors to hidden hunger globally, with poor African communities being the most affected. This study sought to explore the commonly consumed foods in three Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries; Uganda, Kenya, and Malawi, and to assess the possible contribution of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) in meeting the daily Vitamin A (VA) demands for the normal functioning of the body in pre- and school going children aged between seven months and 8 years and women of reproductive age. Secondary data from Food Composition Tables (FCT) and common food recipes in the specific countries was analyzed using an excel based simulation model. VAD was determined based on the recipes and estimations on the amounts of OFSP sufficient to meet the deficiencies. There were significant differences, (p<0.05), in VA quantities in the foods across the three countries. Recipes incorporating OFSP generally had higher VA content. Interestingly, in recipes combining equal or lesser mounts of OFSP with other ingredients or other sweet potato varieties, OFSP contributed the highest amounts of VA regardless of the cooking method. Furthermore, recipes with OFSP as the only ingredient and/or sole source of VA, VA content surpassed the daily requirements for children with an excess contribution of 92.6-295.6mcg, 292.6-495.6mcg and 192.6-395.6mcg for children aged 7-12 months, 1-3 years and 4-8 years, respectively. For pregnant and lactating women, the VA contribution by OFSP was between 9-106% and 5-66% of the RDA, respectively. The OFSP quantities needed to meet deficiencies in the recipes were 5.6-53.9g for children aged 7-12 months, 3.2-32.3g for children aged between 1-3 years and 4.4-43.1g in the children aged between 4-8 years. The OFSP needs estimates for pregnant and lactating mothers were 8.2-83.1g and 43.7-140.3g, respectively.