Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2022 in the subject Biology - Diseases, Health, Nutrition, , language: English, abstract: Major problems facing under five children in Tanzania are overnutrition and undernutrition the latter being the leading one, according to the Tanzania National Nutrition Survey (TNNS) 2018, 31,8 percent of under-five children are stunted, which is a significant decrease from 34,7 percent in 2014, it was approximated that the number of children who were acute malnourished had increased from 440,000 in 2014 to 530,000 in 2018. At the national level, the prevalence of underweight among children aged 0-59 months was at 14,6 percent in 2018, which was significantly higher than the 13,4 percent in 2014, 2,8 percent of under-five children are overweight and large number being found in urban areas. Firstly, to investigate the socio-economic, cultural, and environmental factors contributing to malnutrition in Mwanza Region. Secondly, to explore food preparation practices and their impact on nutrient retention, and adequacy and access nutrition status. Lastly, to identify feeding practices, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding, and their association with under-5 malnutrition A cross-sectional study design was established, that employed quantitative and qualitative approach. Data were collected using semi structured questionnaires, by using cross sectional study design. A total of 440 respondents were involved in the study. The information obtained was then analyzed using EXCEL, SPSS Version 20 and ENA for SMART Programme and interpreted by using the WHO Standards (2006). The converted nutritional data were transformed into Z-scores of the indices; height-for-age, weight-for-height and weight-for-age to identify associated factors of malnutrition.

This book presents different dietary patterns, some utilizing wild foods and others facing drastically changing dietary patterns, and shows their implications for health in terms of wealth, mutual assistance, food sufficiency and food diversity. The book examines these globally important issues through a case study of Tanzania. Using a novel methodology based on a global standard quality of life indicator, the book sheds light on the relationship between wild food intake and health in Tanzania. Descriptive case studies illustrate the impact of various food patterns and wild food intake on human health. It also highlights the divergence between food production sufficiency and food diversity. It then discusses the influence of wealth, mutual relations, and methods of food access. Finally, the book concludes with recommendations for maintaining good health in various environments. The intended readers of this book are academics and professionals in the fields of development, nutrition, and environment in East Africa. These include, but are not limited to, regional and district personnel who are actively engaged in development, relevant ministries of food and agriculture, and international organizations such as FAO, UNICEF, UNDP, and UNEP. In the academic field, students and researchers in international studies, development studies, African studies, social studies, cultural studies, nutrition, agriculture, and environmental studies are targeted.

New evidence this year corroborates the rise in world hunger observed in this report last year, sending a warning that more action is needed if we aspire to end world hunger and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030. Updated estimates show the number of people who suffer from hunger has been growing over the past three years, returning to prevailing levels from almost a decade ago. Although progress continues to be made in reducing child stunting, over 22 percent of children under five years of age are still affected. Other forms of malnutrition are also growing: adult obesity continues to increase in countries irrespective of their income levels, and many countries are coping with multiple forms of malnutrition at the same time – overweight and obesity, as well as anaemia in women, and child stunting and wasting.