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This study evaluated the effects of different inclusion levels of black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) on slaughter characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid profiles of broiler chickens. A total of 360 one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments, including a commercial feed (TCOM) as a positive control, a formulated feed with 0% BSFLM (negative control), and experimental diets containing 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% BSFLM as a replacement for soybean meal. The findings revealed that 25% BSFLM inclusion resulted in the highest slaughter weight (2964.33 g), dressing percentage (80.72%), and carcass weight (2404.20 g), whereas higher inclusion levels (75% and 100%) led to reductions in these parameters. Body parts’ weights (breast, thigh and drumstick) and viscera organ weights were significantly influenced, with optimal performance observed at moderate BSFLM levels (25%-50%). Proximate analysis showed significant variations in dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE) among treatments. The highest CP (50.49%) was recorded in 100% BSFLM, while 75% BSFLM had the highest EE (1.95%). Fatty acid composition (total fatty acids, oleic acid, and linoleic acid) did not differ significantly across treatments. Meat lightness and yellowness varied in drumsticks, while shear force values were highest in 50% BSFLM. Cooking loss decreased with increasing BSFLM inclusion, with the lowest loss at 100% BSFLM (9.14%). No significant differences were observed in meat temperature and pH across treatments. The study concludes that BSFLM can serve as a viable protein alternative in broiler diets, with 25%-50% inclusion levels recommended to optimize growth performance and maintain desirable meat quality for consumers.
Undernutrition in children under two years is a persistent challenge in Tanzania. This study investigates demographic, maternal, and child-related factors associated with stunting, wasting, and underweight coexistence. Secondary data from 2,158 children aged 0–23 months in the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) were analyzed. Risk factors assessed included child age, birth weight, size at birth, birth order, and maternal education. Multinomial regression analysis was conducted to determine associations. The risk of coexisting undernutrition was significantly higher among children aged 12–17 months (RRR = 8.297, 95
Background: Environmental factors influence children's development. However, their impact on outdoor play among children from international settings remains understudied. This study examined associations between parent perceptions of environmental factors and outdoor play among an international sample of preschool-aged children. Methods: Data were sourced from the pilot phases of the SUNRISE International Study of Movement Behaviors in the Early Years. Parents completed a questionnaire about their child's outdoor play and environmental factors that influenced their child's participation in outdoor play in the past 3 days. Results: 1855 children from 19 countries (16 low- and middle-income countries) were examined. Heat (-25.6; 95% CI, -44.6 to -6.6), cold (-26.9; 95% CI, -45.9 to -8.4), and rain (-24.8; 95% CI, -43.3 to -6.6) were negatively associated with weekday outdoor play. Cold (-41.2; 95% CI, -62.4 to -20.0) and social instability (-40.7; 95% CI, -61.5 to -20.3) were negatively associated with weekend outdoor play. Playing at friend's or relative's homes (29.5 [95% CI, 18.6 to 40.5]; 37.9 [25.6 to 50.4]), greenspaces (23.1 [95% CI, 9.6 to 36.6]; 30.4 [95% CI, 15.1 to 45.8]), and on the street (41.4 [95% CI, 26.9 to 55.7]; 34.9 [95% CI, 18.2 to 51.3]) were associated with weekday and weekend day outdoor play, respectively. Playing on the family's property was also associated with weekend day outdoor play (25.5 [95% CI, 18.2 to 51.3]). Conclusions: The environmental context is important to consider when developing interventions to promote outdoor play in young children across diverse international settings. Future research from representative populations is needed to confirm these findings.
BACKGROUND:Dietary inadequacies among women of reproductive age (WRA) increase malnutrition and disease risk. OBJECTIVES:We characterized food group and nutrient adequacies among WRA in rural Tanzania. METHODS:Baseline data (collected October 2023-January 2024) from a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions were analyzed. Dietary intake among WRA (n = 2594) was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall with the OpenDRS approach, an open-source 24-h recall for mobile devices. This was repeated in a subsample (n = 520, 20%) to adjust for day-to-day variations in individual intake. The National Cancer Institute method was employed to estimate usual energy and nutrient intakes. Micronutrient adequacy was defined as intake greater than or equal to the harmonized average requirements (H-ARs). The mean probability of adequacy (MPA) was calculated as the average adequacy across 11 micronutrients. RESULTS:On average, women were 38.3 ± 6.2 y old; 19% were lactating, and 4% were pregnant. The mean daily energy intake was 2415 kcal/d [95% confidence interval (CI): 1937, 2895], with carbohydrates contributing 62% to daily energy intake. The mean intake of fruit and vegetables (F&V) was 279 g/d (95% CI: 201, 365), of which fruit was 35 g/d (95% CI: 2, 118) and vegetables 245 g/d (95% CI: 168, 328). Staples contributed half of the daily energy intake. About 1% of participants met calcium and vitamin B12 requirements, whereas 42%, 49%, 68%, and 72% met adequacy for vitamin C, folate, zinc, and iron, respectively. Most women met the H-ARs for riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, vitamin B6, and vitamin A. MPA was 65 (±2.3% standard error), with vegetables, pulses, animal-source foods (ASF), and staples being key micronutrient sources. CONCLUSIONS:Substantial nutrient inadequacies exist among WRA in rural Northern Tanzania due to high cereal intake and low intake of F&V and ASF. Addressing these gaps requires targeted interventions, improved dietary diversity, increased intake of F&V and ASF, and enhanced food security through local production and social safety nets.
OBJECTIVE:To examine the associations between parent perceived environmental factors, nighttime sleep duration and 24-h sleep duration among an international sample of preschool-aged children. METHODS:Secondary analyses of cross-sectional data from preschoolers across 23 countries (19 LMICs), collected during the third pilot phase (January 2021-August 2024) of the SUNRISE Study. Parents completed a questionnaire which asked about their child's sleep patterns and environmental factors that impacted their child's sleep in the previous 3 days. RESULTS:Data from 2,219 children were analyzed. A significant difference was observed between nighttime sleep (F = 14.27, p = <0.0001) and nap duration (F = 9.10, p = 0.0004) across country income level. Environmental factors such as heat (-12.87, 95% CI: -11.54, -0.61) and cold (-17.70, 95% CI: -34.53, -0.85) were negatively associated with nighttime sleep duration. CONCLUSIONS:Public health researchers and professionals should prioritize context-specific strategies to minimize the impact of weather conditions on sleep to promote healthy levels of sleep among preschoolers from diverse settings.
