title: Caterpillar cereal as a potential complementary feeding product for infants and young children: nutritional content and acceptability.
abstract: Micronutrient deficiency is an important cause of growth stunting. To avoid micronutrient deficiency, the World Health Organization recommends complementary feeding with animal-source foods. However, animal-source foods are not readily available in many parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In such areas, caterpillars are a staple in adult diets and may be suitable for complementary feeding for infants and young children. We developed a cereal made from dried caterpillars and other locally available ingredients (ground corn, palm oil, sugar and salt), measured its macro- and micronutrient contents and evaluated for microbiologic contamination. Maternal and infant acceptability was evaluated among 20 mothers and their 8-10-month-old infants. Mothers were instructed in the preparation of the cereal and asked to evaluate the cereal in five domains using a Likert scale. Mothers fed their infants a 30-g portion daily for 1 week. Infant acceptability was based on cereal consumption and the occurrence of adverse events. The caterpillar cereal contained 132 kcal, 6.9-g protein, 3.8-mg iron and 3.8-mg zinc per 30 g and was free from microbiologic contamination. Mothers' median ratings for cereal characteristics were (5 = like very much): overall impression = 4, taste = 5, smell = 4, texture = 4, colour = 5, and consistency = 4. All infants consumed more than 75% of the daily portions, with five infants consuming 100%. No serious adverse events were reported. We conclude that a cereal made from locally available caterpillars has appropriate macro- and micronutrient contents for complementary feeding, and is acceptable to mothers and infants in the DRC.
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics/Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bauserman
authors.affiliation: Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Adrien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lokangaka
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Kule-Koto
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kodondi
authors.affiliation: Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gado
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Viera
authors.affiliation: SPH Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Margaret E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics/Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Engmann
authors.affiliation: Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Antoinette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tshefu
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics/Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bose
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D003906:Developing Countries; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007313:Insecta; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency; D009753:Nutritive Value
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients
keywords: complementary feeding; growth; international child health nutrition; low-income countries; micronutrient malnutrition; stunting
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