ABSTRACT
Background: Like many countries in the low-income, underdeveloped world, a large number of people in Somalia suffer from anemia, an illness that massively endangers the lives of children and pregnant women. Yet, there is paucity of reliable scholarly studies that discuss anemia and iron deficiency related diseases in the country. In particular, the district of Baidoa in the Southwest State of Somalia, shares a lot of this lack of scholarly work that commonly exists in other parts of the country. Living in a complex situation of acute poverty, and a stubborn cycle of drought, famine and floods, Baidoa has a huge number of children severely affected by malnourishment and types of anemia caused by iron deficiency. Objective: This study aims to shed light on the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among children under 5 years who visited Bay Regional Hospital for treatment in the year 2020 and their condition after undergoing treatment for the required or recommended period of time for recovery from the illness. Method: The study used quantitative case study method of observation of existing archival materials accessed at Bay Regional Hospital in Baidoa District, Southwest State of Somalia. It used data compiled on a sample size of 94 children under age 5 who were anemia patients admitted and treated in the hospital in the year 2020. Results: Of the 94 under age 5 child patients, 84% were cured, 5.4% were recorded as defaulters who absconded before completion of the prescribed treatment period, 9.6% needed special care and were referred to a specialized health institution for further treatment, while 1% succumbed to the disease. Conclusion: Although IDA is prevalent among children in Baidoa, particularly as revealed in the current study on child patients admitted at Baidoa District’s Bay Regional Hospital, the effort by parents, medical professionals, health authority, donors and other stakeholders to fight the disease is yielding laudable results. With more awareness

ABSTRACT
The prevalence of stunting still fluctuates from year to year due to misconceptions that have an impact on childcare. However, when a child's height remains lower than the average, the child is considered common since they still look energetic. This study aimed to analyze the factors of maternal perceptions, parenting patterns, and program barriers in addressing the problem of stunted toddlers in Kupang District. This research used a qualitative approach supported by Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews, and field observations; that was conducted in Oematnunu Village in June 2024. Informants in this study were 10 mothers of stunted toddlers, a midwives, and 2 cadres. The results found that mother's efforts are only to provide food that the child wants to consume, such as eating rice mixed with oil or only soup without side dishes. All families have gardens planted with various types of vegetables and fruits. Meanwhile, the stunting prevention program carried out in the area has not been able to reach the target. Through this, the results of this study are expected to be the basis for developing stunting programs not only for toddlers but also for mothers who are the main actors in improving children's nutritional status.

ABSTRACT
Mushroom production represents a promising industry with significant economic and environmental benefits and offers a viable strategy for addressing the nutritional deficits prevalent in these regions. Its low capital requirements make it an accessible tool for poverty alleviation and wealth creation, providing extensive job opportunities and contributing to national economic growth. The utilization of agro-forestry waste as raw material for mushroom cultivation aligns with the waste-to-wealth approach, fostering environmental sustainability. Despite the popularity of mushrooms as a food source, most of the mushrooms consumed in developing countries are gathered from the wild. The commercialization of mushroom production, which has the potential to become a sustainable and profitable agro-industrial sector, remains largely untapped, underexplored, underutilized, underexploited, and underrepresented. Various challenges impede the growth of the mushroom industry in developing countries, including socio-economic and cultural barriers, inadequate technical and scientific expertise, lack of supportive government policies, fluctuating market prices, and inefficient marketing systems. However, increased awareness of the nutritional, health, and economic benefits of mushrooms, coupled with the establishment of mushroom farming enterprises, could significantly enhance the industry's visibility and accelerate its industrial development in a short time. This review examines the development and sustainability of mushroom production for nutritional security and national economic development in developing nations, along with its many opportunities and challenges.

ABSTRACT
Background: Double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is an emerging public health problem in urban settings where both undernutrition and obesity exist. This complex phenomenon is caused by socioeconomic disparities, urbanization, and dietary transitions, with women and children being proportionately affected. This study reviews the drivers of DBM and evaluates suitable mitigation strategies. Methods: A comprehensive review was performed using studies published between 2014 and 2024. Peer-reviewed articles examining the drivers, interventions, and outcomes of DBM within urban contexts were the target inclusion criteria. Data were extracted on location, target populations, methodologies, key drivers, interventions and outcomes which were then synthesized using thematic analysis. Results: Eighteen studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America were included. Drivers known to be common among the reviewed studies include income inequality, poor dietary diversity, and cultural food practices that are further worsened by urbanization and sedentary lifestyles. By region, effective mitigation strategies included maternal nutrition literacy programs in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa and taxation policies against unhealthy foods in Latin America. Gaps were identified in the areas of policy implementation and program scalability. Conclusion: Integrated, double-duty actions are needed to address the double burden of malnutrition in urban contexts. However, policy reform, community-based nutritional programs and educational initiatives targeted at vulnerable populations, are essential. Longitudinal and gender-specific research should be prioritized in assessing DBM’s trajectory and informing future sustainable interventions. The findings from this study offer actionable insights for policymakers and public health practitioners working to eliminate DBM in urban settings.

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The aim of this study was to assess cost-effectiveness of four improved and enriched infant flours. The study was carried out at the Supplementary Nutrition Unit (UNS) of the Notre Dame of Apostles Hospital (HNDA) at N’Djamena. The results of the study, which included 416 children, showed that moderately malnourished children on experimental flours with dried Moringa oleifera leaf powder took a maximum of three weeks to recover from malnutrition. The Pennisetum typhoïdes flour with Moringa gave the best results, with 96% of children recovering after an average duration of recovery of 17.5 days. Children on red sorghum flour from Bongor without Moringa (SRBSM) showed the highest daily weight gain in the study, at 8 g/kg-body weight per day. The same flour, SRB, with Moringa showed the highest hemoglobin gain of 13.5 g/dl. Children on maize flour without Moringa took the longest to recover in the study, an average of 32.7 days. To conclude, in in accordance with our results, from a cost-effectiveness point of view, flours of Pennisetum typhoïdes and red sorghum flours with Moringa leaf powder showed the best results of the study. They are likely to help improve health and reduce the prevalence of malnutrition, which is currently recurrent among a large proportion of Chadian children.

ABSTRACT
Chad has a varied, nutritious and delicious range of traditional dishes. In the face of modernity, some of these dishes are disappearing or have been forgotten. The aim of this project was to draw up production diagrams for two endangered traditional dishes so that they could be made available to present generations who know little or nothing about them. Goubloum is a moist bread that keeps for several days and is used mainly by travellers on long journeys. It is also a type of war bread used by men. As for ‘soom poddah’, this is a sweet couscous made from flour mixed with powdered sugar, cut into small pieces and fried in oil. It is eaten during festivals or when travelling. Children love it. A survey of around twenty of the oldest people in the village of Kolobo, men and women with lucid memories, identified five women who mastered the technologies used to produce these foods, and who were unanimously supported by those interviewed. These two foods were then produced in our presence, with photos and explanations of each unit operation. Finally, we drew up the technological diagrams for making ‘goubloum’ and ‘soom poddah’.

ABSTRACT
Based on the 23 strains of low-temperature Daqu, microbial inoculants were prepared and inoculated into crushed barley and pea to prepare clean low-temperature Daqu (XQ). The physicochemical properties, flavor profile, and microbial community of XQ were investigated, with traditional low-temperature Daqu (CQ) and production requirements as controls. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in moisture and acidity between the two types of Daqu: CQ exhibited a moisture of 10.6% and an acidity of 1.1 mmol/10 g, while XQ demonstrated a moisture of 10.9% and an acidity of 1.2 mmol/10 g. The fermenting activity (1.36 g/0.5 g·72 h) and liquefying activity (1.13 g/g·h) of XQ surpassed those of CQ; however, its saccharifying activity (780 mg/g·h) and esterifying activity (808 mg/50 g·7 d) were lower. In general, the physicochemical properties of XQ align with the production requirements. HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis indicated that the flavor profiles of the two types of Daqu were largely similar, with 84.85% of the flavor components of CQ being reproducible in XQ. Microbiota community analysis revealed there were some differences in relative abundance of microbes and COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups) function between the two Daqu. The dominant microorganisms in XQ identified were Bacillus, Pichia, Transversalis, and Monascus, meanwhile the dominant microorganisms in CQ identified were Pediococcus, Rhizomucor, Wickerhamomyces. This study establishes a robust experimental basis for producing clean Daqu and provides valuable insights for the development of safer microbial fermented foods.