FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF A POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC DIET FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION USING LOCAL FOOD INGREDIENTS

This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a potential therapeutic diet for the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) using readily available and affordable local ingredients in Kano State, Nigeria. A therapeutic diet was formulated using a combination of millet, soybeans, milk and groundnuts. Its proximate composition, mineral content, sensory properties and efficacy in treating malnourished children was evaluated. Proximate analysis found the diet provided 6.48±0.05% moisture, 1.88±0.04% ash, 22.38±0.20% protein, 11.83±0.06% fat, 3.37±0.25% fiber and 54.06±0.38% carbohydrates. Mineral analysis reported zinc content as 1.91±0.03 mg/100g, iron as 4.01±0.20 mg/100g and chromium as 9.03±0.21 mg/100g. Sensory evaluation scored appearance as 8.25±1.02, texture as 8.15±1.04, flavor as 7.50±1.19, aroma as 7.70±1.45 and overall acceptability as 8.25±0.72. The diet's efficacy was tested on 36 children with SAM, finding at baseline 61.1% were wasted, 38.9% stunted and 52.8% underweight. Post-treatment, wasting reduced to 8.3%, while stunting and underweight improved to 38.9% and 13.9% respectively. Despite chi-square tests showing no significant relationships, descriptive results indicate the local diet demonstrated favorable nutritional composition, sensory acceptance and efficacy in treating SAM. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings.