Increased vitamin A intake in children aged 2-5 years through targeted home-gardens in a rural South African community.
OBJECTIVE
To determine vitamin A intake of children aged 2-5 years in a rural South African community one year after the implementation of a home-based food production programme targeting beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables.


METHODS
Dietary intake of children aged 2-5 years was determined during a cross-sectional survey before and one year after the implementation of a home-based food production programme.


METHODS
A low socio-economic rural African community, approximately 60 km northwest of the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.


METHODS
Children aged 2-5 years (n = 100); 50 children from households with home-gardens producing beta-carotene fruits and vegetables (project gardens), and 50 children from households without project gardens.


RESULTS
As compared with baseline data, there was a significant increase in vitamin A intake in children from households with project gardens as well as in children from households without project gardens. However, children from households with project gardens had a significantly higher vitamin A intake than children from households without project gardens. The increased vitamin A intake in those children from households without project gardens can be attributed to the availability of butternuts in the local shop (as a result of the project), and because the mothers negotiated with project garden mothers to obtain these fruits and vegetables for their children.


CONCLUSIONS
A home-based food production programme targeting beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables can lead to an increase in vitamin A intake.
Faber
Mieke
M
Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa. mieke.faber@mrc.ac.za
Venter
Sonja L
SL
Benadé
A J Spinnler
AJ
D000383:Agriculture; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D012423:Rural Health; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa; D014675:Vegetables; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A