ABSTRACT

A comparative study on micronutrient contents of complementary foods used by Igbo and Hausa mothers was conducted in Umuahia, Abia State. A total of 100 nursing mothers were randomly selected from the study population. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on feeding practices, types of complementary foods, reasons and method of preparation of complementary foods. Proximate and micronutrient analysis was carried out on some samples of the complementary foods. Results revealed tuwo-shinkafa, dawa gruel (Guinea corn), Acha porridge, marshed yam, jollof rice and beans. akamu as the common complementary foods used by mothers of the study population. Analysis for proximate and micronutrient contents of the identified foods, revealed that the moisture values of the foods ranged from (4.92%) acha porridge to (81.62%) Akamu, Ash content of Jollof rice and beans (8.72%) was highest, while akamu (1.01%) was lowest. Fat content for acha porridge (15.59%) was highest while Akamu (0.42%) was lowest. Jollof rice and beans had (16.96%) protein while Akamu had (5.30%) protein. The carbohydrate content ranged from (86.99%) dawa gruel to (21.05%) acha porridge. Acha porridge (468.30kca1s) contained more energy than the other foods. Tuwoshinkafa (555.20 mg) has the highest value for phosphorus, mashed yam and palm oil (10.76 ug/d) and (1904iu) the highest value for vitamins A and C respectively. Problems associated with complementary feeding such as chronic growth stunting, frequent recurring infections, essential mineral deficiencies, high mortality severe protein — energy — malnutrition were identified in the study population methods of formulating complementary foods using available local foods, fortifying foods and strategies for solving malnutrition due to poor feeding practices by these mothers. This implies that, if a mother has a high educational level and has a good knowledge of nutrition she will be able to know the best food mixes which the baby will need. It was observed that though complementary foods were introduced, it lacked enough nutrients to meet the growing needs of the child. And if these foods are not properly fortified, will lead to diverse health problems.