title: The better use of food resources for infants and mothers.
abstract: The nutritional and food safety characteristics of the foods customarily eaten by infants and mothers in The Gambia are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on their low energy and nutrient density and the consequent difficulty of meeting internationally recommended levels of intake. The consequences of an inadequate diet during pregnancy and lactation are considered in terms of their effect on the size of the baby at birth, the mother's lactational performance, and the growth and development of the baby. The microbiological contamination of locally introduced weaning foods is also highlighted. Suggestions are made concerning the desirable characteristics of new foods that need to be introduced to overcome these problems. Attention is paid to a more rational distribution and use for aid foods.
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000592:standards; D003906:Developing Countries; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000592:standards*; D005714:Gambia; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012423:Rural Health