Issue of March 2014

MATTERS

AFRICAN NUTRITION

VOLUME 2 N째1 MARCH 2014

AFRICAN NUTRITION SOCIETY

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N E W S L E T T E R

MATTERS

AFRICAN NUTRITION

VOLUME 2 N째1 MARCH 2014

AFRICAN NUTRITION SOCIETY

T H E

N E W S L E T T E R

African Nutrition Matters March 2014

New Year Wishes from the African Nutrition Society Dr. Francis Bruno Zotor President of the African Nutrition Society On behalf of the African Nutrition Society (ANS), allow me to extend my heartfelt wishes to the entire nutrition community for the very new and peaceful beginning of 2014.

In 2013, the IUNS conference brought world-wide attention to Africa and ANS when Professor Anna Lartey, a former ANS trustee became the first ever African to lead IUNS whilst simultaneously heading the FAO Nutrition Division.

The inauguration of our first newsletter was also something to savour in Granada at the ICN 2013. Indeed to all who were at the conference and had the opportunity to skim through our newsletter, they couldn’t hide their admiration for Africa coming of age and certainly poised to drive the nutrition agenda and continue to work synergistically towards finding solutions to their nutritional challenges.

Through our newsletter, it is our hope the coverage of news items, topical issues and other issues of relevance to the African terrain would attract a wide readership. A challenge still remains though and this relates to our publication record in peer reviewed journals of repute and international standing. It may be argued by some that articles from the South (developing countries) most often find their destination into waste paper baskets in the North (western countries). The question though is: why are we able to study, work and excel in western institutions and yet when we are back on the African continent, our research outputs doesn’t seem to measure up? Whilst not burying my head in the sand in pretense, I admit we do need to build capacity in generating research outputs that can match good quality publications elsewhere outside of Africa.

At ANS, we believe in the power of capacity building to accelerate progress in nutrition. Therefore, the appropriate thing we need to do is to continue building capacity of young nutritionists to conduct research and disseminate findings into the public domain. As the President of the leading continental movement and professional body in nutrition, I would like to reaffirm ANS commitment to advancing nutrition agenda in the continent. I am grateful to the ANS Board of Trustees, the ANS Council, ANM editorial team and all those working with enthusiasm and on voluntary basis on various ANS projects.

The leadership of the African Nutrition Society is very much working in sync with the editorial team of the African Nutrition Matters to ensure this newsletter has indeed come to stay.

Because we believe that ANS can be only useful if its members find it relevant, we would therefore welcome and value your feedback.

The ANS leadership wishes you well!!!

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in this month’s issue Editorial

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D. Sanou & N. Mathe

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Dans ce numéro D. Sanou

Thematic article

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Necessary themes and perspectives to enhance the impact of African Nutrition Researchers Z. Mchiza & M. Ralarala

African Nutrition Leadership Programme

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J. Badham

Programme de Leadership African en Nutrition

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H. Labraimi

Empowered to Innovate

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AWARD Builds Women Scientists’ Research, Leadership Skills K. Homer

Global Allaiance for Improved Nutrition

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Elevating Nutrition on to a higher pedestal in Nigeria L. Umunna

The Nutrition Situation in West Africa

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F. Samuel & H.M. Avedzi

Nutrition training in Southern Africa

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N. Mathe & C. Mahachi

Highlights from the 20th International Congress of Nutrition

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R. Fungo & N. Mathe

Spotlight

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Young and emerging African nutrition researchers

Obituary

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Professor Isaac O. Akinyele

Events Calendar of upcoming nutrition events

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EDITORIAL Dear Reader, We are delighted to be able to present the second issue of African Nutrition Matters (ANM), the African Nutrition Society’s quarterly Newsletter. As this is the first issue of the year 2014, we would like to start by offering our best wishes to all our readers, on behalf of the editorial team.

2013 was a very rich year for the international nutrition community with advances in global nutrition initiatives including the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement and development of e-platforms for nutrition education. Particularly relevant to African nutritionists was the inauguration as President of the IUNS for Professor Anna Lartey who becomes the first African to hold this position while simultaneously heading the Nutrition Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). We hope that this position will lead to a united voice and synchronized actions from the leading nutrition bodies.

As we enter the final years for achieving the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with an unfinished 2015-MDG nutrition agenda, it is timely for African nutrition stakeholders to look back with sober reflection at what has been achieved to date. Overall, in the last decade, there has been a positive wind of change for nutrition on the international development agenda and the emergence of several new initiatives. Many African countries have made good progress, but sadly most will still not reach their nutri-

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Published the 23 March 2014 This issue is available online: www.answeb.org Follow us on: Twitter: @ANMatters Facebook: fb.com/ANMatters Cover photo credit: Kate Holt

tion targets. At various fora, it is pleasing to see many policy actors, including ANS members, committed to keeping the momentum for moving forward the nutrition agenda on the continent with passion and enthusiasm, and challenging global players to translate their pledges into concrete measurable actions. The number of nutrition professionals in Africa has increased tremendously and nutritionists have better access to resources thanks to new technology including e-resources and new media. Despite this progress and especially the training of young nutrition graduates, we recognize that more still needs to be done to strengthen capacity for the nutrition and health workforce, including in research. The transition to the post-2015 MDG era offers a perfect opportunity especially for African researchers to question the outcomes of their efforts and ask themselves “Are we really making an impact on the people most in need?

In this current issue of ANM, we are introducing the debate on “Enhancing the impact of African nutrition researchers”.

The feature article of the Newsletter by Drs Mchiza and Ralarala highlights some of the numerous factors that hinder the efforts of African nutrition researchers and thereby reduce the impact on the international scene. Authors also discuss strategies that can help mitigate these challenges and thereby enhance the impact of our nutrition scientists.

Dr Mathe and Mr Fungo take us back to the 20th International Union of Nutri-

tional Sciences (IUNS) conference in Granada, Spain in September 2013 by reporting on selected key events of interest to Africa. This Second Edition also gives opportunities to young and emerging African nutrition researchers who attended the IUNS congress to provide their perspectives on major challenges they are currently facing as well as how nutrition researcher impact can be enhanced. The Regional News Section is dedicated to West and East Africa regions, where the nutrition situations and key challenges facing nutrition efforts are depicted. Our Partners Sectionfeatures the African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP) and its francophone sister “Programme de Leadership Africain en Nutrition” (PLAN), which have been building transformational leadership capabilities of nutrition professionals. Additional invited articles include one from the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development program (AWARD), an article from ANS President and a contribution from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) on advancing the nutrition agenda in Nigeria.

We would like to thank everyone who has contributed or supported this edition and we look forward to continuing this challenging task of producing the ANM. We know that our success will depend on your support, comments, contributions and ideas! Therefore, we invite readers to send us their comments and suggestions.

Happy reading!

Editors-in-Chief Dia Sanou (Burkina Faso), Nonsikelelo Mathe (Zimbabwe) Editorial Board Mawuli H. Avedzi (Ghana), Robert Fungo (Uganda), Ali Jafri (Morocco), Hanane Labraimi (Morocco), Muniirah Mbabazi (Uganda), Folake Samuel (Nigeria) Technical Advisory Board Paul Amuna (Ghana), Francis Zotor (Ghana), Habiba Hassan Wassef (Egypt) Layout Ali Jafri African Nutrition Matters is published by the African Nutrition Society P. O. Box K18, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana.

Phone: +233-244186867; +233-244872410 Fax: +233-2151394 All correspondence should be addressed to the editors by email: newsletter@answeb.org

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Dans ce numéro Dia Sanou Co-éditeur en chef

Le deuxième numéro d’African Nutrition Matters (ANM), le bulletin trimestriel de la Société Africaine de Nutrition (ANS) est là. En tant que premier numéro de l’année 2014, il donne l’occasion d’offrir les meilleurs vœux de l’équipe éditoriale à tous les membres de l’ANS et à nos lecteurs. A quelques mois de la date butoire fixée pour les OMDs, l’Afrique est loin d’atteindre ses objectifs relatifs à la nutrition, malgré des progrès notables.

La transition vers les objectifs de développement post-OMD 2015 offre une opportunité unique aux chercheurs et scientifiques dans le domaine de la nutrition en Afrique de réfléchir sur l’efficacité et l’impact social de leurs efforts et de se poser la question: avons-nous réellement de l’impact sur les personnes les plus en besoin ?. C’est cette réflexion qui a motivé le thème du présent numéro d’ANM «Renforcer l’impact des chercheurs africains en nutrition».

Drs Sanou & Mathe, coéditeurs en chef d’ANM, se réjouissent du bilan de l’année 2013 qui a été particulièrement marquante pour la communauté de nutritionnistes africains. En effet, l’année écoulée a connu la création de ce bulletin et la tenue du 20ème congrès de l’IUNS (ICN2013). Ce congrès a été marqué par le début du mandat de la première personnalité africaine à la tête de l’IUNS; Professeur Anna Lartey du Ghana. Prof. Lartey ajoutera ce poste à un autre non moins prestigieux qu’est celui de Chef de la Division Nutrition de la FAO. Elle honore ainsi toute l’Afrique, et au nom de l’ANS nous lui souhaitons plein succès dans ses nouvelles fonctions, en espérant qu’elle continuera à appuyer le développement de la nutrition en Afrique tout en servant de guide et de modèle pour les jeunes générations de nutritionnistes.

S’inspirant du thème du présent numéro, les éditeurs invitent les lecteurs et les acteurs de la nutrition à réfléchir sur des stratégies qui pourraient permettre d’améliorer notre approche de la recher-

che en nutrition et d’en renforcer la portée pratique et les retombées sur les populations qui en ont le plus besoin.

A la suite des éditorialistes, c’est au tour du Président de la Société Africaine de Nutrition, Dr Zotor, d’offrir ses vœux de paix pour la nouvelle année 2014 qui se trouve être très chargée pour son organisation avec l’organisation de la 6ème Conférence africaine d’épidémiologie nutritionnelle (ANEC VI) au Ghana en juillet 2014. Tout en réaffirmant la volonté de l’ANS de faire du renforcement des capacités des jeunes nutritionnistes son fer de lance, son Président a émis le souhait de voir l’Afrique se doter d’une revue scientifique en nutrition dont le facteur d’impact pourra rapidement grimpée pour tenir la place qui revient à la recherche en nutrition sur le continent.

L’article thématique du numéro est présenté par Drs Mchiza et Ralarala (Afrique du Sud) et s’intitule «Perspectives et thèmes nécessaires pour renforcer l’impact des chercheurs africains en nutrition». Observant que la recherche et les chercheurs en nutrition ne sont pas bien reconnus et valorisés malgré l’importance des problèmes nutritionnels sur le continent et la prédominance de la littérature internationale sur la malnutrition en Afrique. Entre autres raisons les auteurs évoquent : i) capacité insuffisante en recherche; ii) manque d’agressivité des experts disponibles, iii) dissémination et/ ou vulgarisation insuffisante ou inappropriée des résultats de recherche. Citant Brown et al. qui estiment que l’Afrique de l’Ouest seul a besoin de former annuellement 120 licenciés, 140 titulaires de masters (MSc) et 14-21 doctoral (PhD), les auteurs affirment qu’aucun pays africain n’a les capacités minimales pour faire face aux besoins de mise en œuvre des programmes de nutrition.

Pour les auteurs, les chercheurs en nutrition pour renforcer l’impact de leurs travaux, doivent i) publier dans chez des éditeurs locaux qui ont de l’impact; ii)

poster leur découverte dans les institutions ou bibliothèques; iii) être agressive dans la présentation de leurs travaux a des rencontres et conférences nationales et internationales; iv) former des consortiums ou des réseaux solides dans lesquels ils distribueront leurs découvertes sur le continent; v) publier les thèses ou dissertations dans les librairies électroniques pour en améliorer l’accessibilité; et finalement vi) partager leurs résultats pertinents avec les medias et produits des résumés de politiques qui influenceront les politiques africaines. Tout cela passe d’abord par l’amélioration de la compétence des chercheurs non seulement en recherche, mais également en vulgarisation et en plaidoyer.

Dans le domaine du renforcement des capacités justement, le Programme Africain de Leadership en Nutrition (ANLP) travaille depuis plus de 12 ans à former des jeunes professionnels de la nutrition sur le leadership transformationnel dans le but de créer un réseau d’acteurs du changement qui contribueront à l’éradication de la malnutrition. De nos jours, ce programme qui se déroule tous les deux ans en Afrique du Sud a formé plus de 270 cadres qui servent aujourd’hui à divers niveaux de responsabilités et dans différentes institutions et organismes. Afin d’ouvrir les bénéfices d’une telle initiative aux non-anglophones, une version Francophone appelée PLAN a vu le jour au Maroc en 2007. La 5eme édition est prévue pour juin 2014.

Madame Homer, qui part de l’exemple de Dr. Olutayo Modupeopla Adedokun, une charge de cours a la Faculté d’Agriculture de l’Université Port Harcourt’s, décrit le programme AWARD (African Women in Agricultural Research and Development) qui œuvre dans le développement de carrière des femmes qui excellent dans la recherche agricole. A nos jours, plus de 325 récipiendaires dont 51 en alimentation et/ ou nutrition sur plus de 3,000 postulants provenant de 11 pays ont pu obtenir une bourse AWARD. Cette organisation qui

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croit fermement que des avancées significatives et des innovations en recherche agricoles n’auront lieu que si des femmes compétentes et d’influence s’y investiront.

Un autre effort d’organisation internationale soutenant la nutrition en Afrique est celui de GAIN (Alliance Globale pour l’Amélioration de la Nutrition) au Nigeria. GAIN qui a joint les autres partenaires de la nutrition au Nigeria en 2011, est particulièrement implique dans les activités programmatiques relatives à l’enrichissement des aliments. Il joue également un rôle important dans la mobilisation du secteur prive autour de la plateforme national SUN. Selon Mme Umunna, son organisation reste est déterminée à assister techniquement le pays et à soutenir tous les acteurs dans le combat contre la malnutrition au Nigeria.

Les nouvelles régionales rapportées dans le présent numéro concernent l’Afrique de l’Ouest et l’Afrique de l’Est. Après une présentation de la région Ouest Africaine de l’Afrique qui comprend les 15 pays de la CEDEAO, plus la Mauritanie, les collègues Samuel et Avedzi, présentent la situation nutritionnelle peu réjouissante dans cette région du monde qui a fait peu de progrès en matière de lutte contre la malnutrition et l’insécurité alimentaire.

Les prévalences de retard de croissance, de sous nutrition et d’émaciation sont respectivement de 35%, 28% et 10% alors que les carences en micronutriments y sévissent de façon endémique. Avec encore plus 36 millions de personnes dénutris, et la situation au Sahel est particulièrement inquiétante avec des famines et des crises alimentaires à répétition. Malgré div-

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Numéro publié le 23 Mars 2014 Ce numéro est disponible en ligne: www.answeb.org Suivez-nous sur : Twitter: @ANMatters Facebook: fb.com/ANMatters Photo de couverture : Kate Holt

African Nutrition Matters March 2014

ers efforts consentis, aucun pays n’est en bonne voie pour attendre les objectifs du millénaire lies à la nutrition, a l’exception du Ghana et de la Guinée Bissau. La section sur la région sud-africaine se concentre sur la formation en nutrition. Après une présentation brève des initiatives antérieures en nutrition de cette région qui compte 15 pays, Dr Mathe and Mrs Mahachi évoque la nécessité de bien former des étudiants aux cycles supérieurs universitaires pour espérer renforcer l’impact des chercheurs sur la société. Les auteurs présentent la situation de l’enseignement de la nutrition et font ressortir que quatre pays n’ont aucun programme formel, et la plupart des formations existantes sont de niveau premier cycle et seuls trois pays concentrent les efforts de recherche dans la région.

Dr Mathe et Mr. Fungo nous font vivre en différé le 20ème Congrès international de nutrition ICN2013, tenu du 15 au 20 septembre a Granada, Espagne. Cette conférence a été particulièrement marquante pour l’équipe d’ANM en ce sens que c’est là que notre revue a été officiellement lancée, et la coéditrice en chef a eu l’occasion d’être à la une du journal du Congres. Comme d’habitude, les organisations corporatives y étaient présentes pour non seulement promouvoir leurs produits, mais également pour démontrer comment en tant que secteur privé, elles peuvent contribuer à la recherche de solutions aux problèmes de malnutrition. Plusieurs nutritionnistes africains y étaient présents, et les alumni de ANLP se sont réunis en diner comme en marge de chaque grande rencontre internationale ayant un intérêt pour l’Afrique.

L’évènement phare a bien sûr été le dis-

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cours d’intronisation de Professeur Anna Lartey à la tête de l’IUNS. Cette conférence a aussi donné l’occasion à l’ANM d’aller à la rencontre de jeunes espoirs de la nutrition en Afrique. La parole leur est donne dans l’article « Spotlight: Young and emerging African nutrition researchers », article dans lequel de doctorants parlent de leur recherche, de leurs perspectives sur les défis auxquels les jeunes chercheurs africains dans le domaine de la nutrition font face et de ce qu’il faut pour améliorer l’impact des chercheurs. Les étudiants-chercheurs a l’honneur sont Johanita Kruger, Sud-Africaine doctorante a l’Université de d’Afrique de Pretoria, Martin N. Mwangi, Kenyanne etudiant au doctorat à l’Université de Wageningen, Pays Bas, Tamègnon Victorien Dougnon de l’Université of Abomey-Calavi, Benin et Aaron Christian Kobina, doctorant à l’Université du Ghana, Lagon et de Lifoter Kenneth Navti, doctorant Camerounais a l’Université inscrit à l’Université Ludwig-Maximilians de Munich, Allemagne.

Après quelques annonces sur les évènements majeurs à venir, le journal se termine par la triste nouvelle de la douloureuse disparition du Professeur Isaac Akinyele, un des pionniers de la nutrition sur le continent. Au nom de l’ensemble des membres d’ANS et de la communauté de nutrition du continent, le comité éditorial d’ANM se joint au comité exécutif de ANS pour exprimer sa profonde sympathie à la famille éplorée.

Editeurs en chef Dia Sanou (Burkina Faso), Nonsikelelo Mathe (Zimbabwe) Comité Editorial Mawuli H. Avedzi (Ghana), Robert Fungo (Ouganda), Ali Jafri (Maroc), Hanane Labraimi (Maroc), Muniirah Mbabazi (Ouganda), Folake Samuel (Nigeria) Consultants Techniques Paul Amuna (Ghana), Francis Zotor (Ghana), Habiba Hassan Wassef (Egypte) Mise en page Ali Jafri African Nutrition Matters est publiée par la Société Africaine de Nutrition P. O. Box K18, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana.

Phone: +233-244186867; +233-244872410 Fax: +233-2151394 Toute correspondance devrait être communiquée aux éditeurs via e-mail : newsletter@answeb.org

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Necessary themes and perspectives to enhance the impact of African Nutrition Researchers Zandile J-R. Mchiza South African Medical Research Council, South Africa Monwabisi K. Ralarala Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa Nutrition is vital, not only in the growth and development of humans and animals but also in the prevention and treatment of diseases. The World Health Organization also highlights nutrition as being fundamental to the maintenance of good health and functionality (1). As we are at the beginning of the 2nd decade of the new millennium, the paradigm shift from the prolonged “food insecurity” to the unfolding “nutrition transition” in Africa seems to dominate the global public health agenda (2). This paradigm shift accompanies the demographic and epidemiologic shifts towards nutrition-related chronic non communicable diseases and recently the “double burden of malnutrition” that exist with “hidden hunger” (3). Despite the importance of the field of nutrition research in understanding and halting the consequences of this paradigm shift on the African continent, this field and its researchers are not fully recognized. The three possible explanations being the: i) lack of nutrition research capacity; ii) lack of insistence of the available nutrition experts to advocate nutrition; and iii) shortcomings in nutrition research dissemination.

In terms of nutrition capacity development and advocacy for nutrition, Africa is by no means up-to-date in terms of its nutrition related data, let alone groundbreaking nutrition data. None of the African countries are even on track in terms of their nutrition research capacity development (4). Brown et al. (4) have since highlighted that in the Western African countries alone, more than 120 nutrition bachelors’ degree holders, 140 masters (MSc) and 14-21 doctoral (PhD) holders are still needed to strengthen these countries’ nutrition capacity. In this regard, they emphasized the urgent need to: i) increase the output of public health nutrition training programs at all levels, including undergraduate education, pre-service and in-service professional training, and higher education in public health nutrition and related research skills; ii) enhance the applied research capacity, so as to provide

the evidence base necessary for nutrition programme planning and evaluation; and iii) increase advocacy for nutrition and stewardship for nutrition-related activities; with the concerted support coming from the African governments.

In agreement to that, Van Royen et al.

(5) highlighted that the African nutrition researchers who participated in their research study argued that research priorities need to be identified by African stakeholders themselves, to enable them to create a problem-driven national nutrition research agenda. In the same study it was considered necessary to promote interactions among nutrition researchers and between researchers and policymakers to build recognition and capacity in sub-Saharan nutrition research.

Building capacity entails the improvement of the availability and visibility of strong nutrition experts, who will in turn be advocates of nutrition. Nutrition advocacy in an essence drives the nutrition profession recognition through nutrition experts themselves taking charge in the: i) promotion and influencing nutrition related policies; ii) generation, collation and dissemination of the nutrition information; iii) monitoring the kind of information that is distributed by print, television and social media; iv) standardization of the terminology used in nutrition interventions; v) generation of targeted methods and procedures to be used in nutrition research; vi) development and application of appropriate technologies for nutrition; vii) capacity development and training of other competent nutrition professionals, viii) participation on collaborative nutrition research development; ix) monitoring and evaluating nutrition research, and promoting the application of nutrition results/findings; and finally x) coordination of the activities carried out by several institutions on nutrition.

It is somewhat encouraging to know that there is a least a handful of strong nutri-

tion experts that are by-products of the African continent. However, there are strong concerns that even the minute number of experts that manage to graduate in African countries that are active in nutrition professional capacity development, South Africa in particular, resort to seek ‘greener pastures’ in developed countries like Britain and Canada after graduation (6).

This is in response to the lack of professional recognition in their own countries (7). It is therefore, important that these experts promote the agenda of the nutrition research wherever they are, making sure that their groundbreaking research findings and health solutions reach their target audiences, Africans in particular, at all time.

Optimizing coverage and access of the nutrition research findings is the surest way to enhance its visibility and impact (8). For instance, apart from publishing in international impact journal and book publishers, nutrition researchers need to i) publish in the local significant journal/ book publishers; ii) post their findings on African institutional or subject repositories; iii) be aggressive in presenting their work at both national and international scientific meetings or conferences; iv) form strong African nutrition consortiums and distribute copies of their findings to colleagues in these consortiums right around the African continent; v) publish their theses or dissertations in libraries electronically and through reliable publishing bodies; and finally vi) volunteer sharing their ground breaking findings with media and communicate it via policy briefs that will influence the African countries’ policies.

Conclusion: Recognizing that nutrition affects virtually every public health problem, nutrition research experts need to be aggressive in terms of developing agendas that put nutrition at the forefront of the health priorities, especially in Africa. On the African continent keeping up-to-date with

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relevant research is challenging due to lack of capacity. To those in the nutrition profession keeping up with the nutrition research is an important but a time-consuming job. Working days are filled with a plethora of other tasks, all of which are fighting for priority. Even when time and resources allow, it can be difficult to partake necessary activities such as producing policy briefs, nutrition education, instrument development, and monitoring what is circulated in all forms of media.

With the strong focus being directed on appreciating our nutrition research experts and putting capacity development at the fore-front, African nutrition challenges can be eradicated and the impact of nutrition research experts will be enhanced.

After all, there is no one that can make nutrition the priority other than a driven nutrition research expert.

References 1. Report of a Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. WHO

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Technical Report Series 916 Geneva 2003 [http://whqlibdoc.who.int/trs/who_ trs_916.pdf] 2. Amuna P, Zotor FB. Epidemiological and nutrition transition in developing countries: impact on human health and development. Proc Nutr Soc. 2008; 67(1):82-90.

3. Abrahams Z, Mchiza ZJ, Steyn NP. Diet and mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa: Stages in the nutrition transition.

BMC Public Health 2011; 11:801 open access.

4. Brown KH, McLachlan M, Cardosa P, Tchibindat F, Baker SK. Strengthening public health nutrition research and training capacities in West Africa: Report of a planning workshop convened in Dakar, Senegal, 26-28 March 2010. Global Public Health, 5: 6, S1 — S19.

5. Van Royen K, Lachat C, Holdsworth M, Smit K, Kinabo J, Roberfroid D,

Nago E, Garimoi Orach C, Kolsteren P. How Can the Operating Environment for Nutrition Research Be Improved in SubSaharan Africa? The Views of African Researchers. PLOS One 8 (6). 1-9 Open access. SouthAfrica.Info.

6. Parker W, Steyn NP, Mchiza ZJ, Wentzel-Viljoen E, Danhauser A, Mbhenyane X, Moeng L. Dietitians in South Africa require more competencies in the public health nutrition and management to address the nutritional needs of South Africans. Ethnicity & Disease, 2013 (23): 87-94.

7. Nursing Time.net. Disseminating nutrition research findings to health professionals. [http://www.nursingtimes.net/ disseminating-nutrition-research-findings-to-health-professionals/199844.article] accessed on 28th November 2013.

8. MDLinx: 5 minutes to stay current. Top read articles for 2013. Pediatrics News.

Next issue’s thematic “Global movements to advance health and development through improved nutrition” For your contributions, send us an email at newsletter@answeb.org

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African Nutrition Leadership Programme Enhancing transformational leadership capabilities of nutrition professionals Johann Jerling, Jane Badham African Nutrition Leadership Programme, South Africa.

The African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP) was started in 2002 to empower early and mid-career nutrition professions by developing their transformational leadership capabilities. The program also facilitates the formation of a panAfrican network of leaders who will become influential change agents and contribute significantly to the alleviation of malnutrition on the continent. Since its inception the program runs an annual 10 day leadership development program and to date, in its 12th year, it boasts of more than 270 alumni in the network from 32 African countries. As a guiding principle, ANLP recognises the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in addressing nutrition issues and therefore encourages applicants from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds to enroll onto the program.

Recruiting only 30 participants each year it is therefore highly competitive.

Contrary to common thinking (leaders are born), ANLP believes leadership capabilities can be developed and therefore, through a rigorous 10- day training program participants are facilitated and implored to continue practicing learned skills in: self-awareness; ability to balance conflicting demands through experience; become aware of their leadership values and strengthen their resolve to implement them in their working environment; ability to build and maintain relationships; ability to build effective work groups; improve communication skills; become aware of the importance to develop others and have an improved ability to do so; improve management skills (time management, delegation of tasks, goal orientation, prioritization and organizing events); enhance ability to think and act strategically; develop their ability to think creatively and experience situations where they initiate and implement change.

The leadership program recruits African professionals that have achieved higher level training with a passion for improving nutrition on the continent.Africa’s future depends on many things, however, the final analysis shows that, ‘we can only be successful when we take responsibility for our own problems and the solutions to overcome them’. Doctoral training is only a starting point in a career as a nutrition researcher. Such training imparts and develops competence in much sought after skills like higher order cognitive ability to formulate creative solutions to problems and serves as an excellent basis from which to serve as a scientific leader. However the ability to transform plans into effective actions, sets transformational leaders apart from those who have not been able to go beyond the rhetoric ‘Knowledge is no longer power’, implementation is.

At the end of the training participants are also reminded that as

leaders they should be driven by a vision of the future; energise and empower their team members;continually grow and develop themselves and their team members. worth noting is that leaders not only create a motivating climate for their team members but they also are part of the team and enjoy their work. Basically re emphasising the common constructs of leadership, and that fact that trustworthiness and high degree of integrity come with the responsibility of leadership. A common misconception about leadership is also demystified, one does not need a senior position with authority to be a leader. Leaders are found at all levels of the scientific environment. At the ANLP, we firmly believe that leaders should lead from where they stand – regardless of their position in an organisation.

Having recognised the need to develop competences in leading change in multisectoral settings, the ANLP now also carries out specialised transformational leadership training programmes for targeted groups and organisations. The aim is to continue to empower individuals and groups across Africa to lead the change that is urgently needed. By developing the transformational leadership capabilities of individuals and institutions, we therefore contribute to enhancing the impact our alumni are making in nutrition, but also provide them tools to enhance the impact of the work their colleagues and partners are having as nutrition researchers or programme implementers. ANLP and its sponsors are committed to developing a new generation of transformational nutrition leaders in Africa and we look forward to continue living that commitment cognizant that actions speak louder than words.

Website www.africanutritionleadership.org Upcoming edition March 2014 Usual deadline for submissions Early October

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Programme de Leadership Africain en Nutrition Renforcer les capacités des nutritionnistes africains Hanane Labraimi Programme de Leadership Africain en Nutrition, Morocco.

Le Programme de Leadership Africain en Nutrition (PLAN) est une formation continue pour les futurs leaders dans le domaine de la Nutrition en Afrique. Il est organisé dans le cadre du Programme de l’Alimentation et Nutrition pour l’Europe et l’Afrique de l’Université des Nations Unies (UNU) et en partenariat avec le Programme Africain de Leadership en Nutrition (ANLP, version anglaise) et l’Union Internationale des Sciences de la Nutrition (IUNS). Après la première édition tenue en 2007, cet atelier de formation de 8 jours est organisé une année sur deux au Maroc. La 5ème édition se tiendra du 14 au 21 juin 2014 à Rabat, Maroc.

- Encourager les recherches et publications des jeunes nutritionnistes Africains pour encourager l’esprit de recherche et la culture de publication scientifique; - Renforcer la collaboration entre les intervenants en Nutrition et participer activement à la création et aux activités des Sociétés Nationales de Nutrition.

L’avenir de notre continent dépend des potentialités humaines, hors un potentiel sans leadership ne peut se développer correctement et surtout ne pourra pas s’épanouir à son maximum.

Apprendre à devenir leader, c’est apprendre à manifester sa capacité à fédérer et à mobiliser les énergies autour d’une action collective pour le bien de la Nutrition sur notre continent.

D’après le psychologue américain contemporain Robert Sternberg, le leadership et la créativité sont intimement liés : le leadership est une gestion créative de situations et de personnes. Un leader est définit par sa capacité à mener ou conduire d’autres individus ou organisations dans le but d’atteindre certains objectifs. On dira alors qu’un leader est quelqu’un qui est capable de guider, d’influencer et d’inspirer. Le but du PLAN est justement de développer cette gestion créative afin de mener à bien des projets de la nutrition et de promouvoir la recherche dans ce domaine en Afrique et de contribuer ainsi au développement de l’Afrique.

Summary

Kasbah des Oudaias, Rabat. Ben Javelina. CC-BY-SA

Le but premier du PLAN rejoint celui de l’ANLP : développer et renforcer les capacités de leadership transformationnel des jeunes africains dans le domaine de la Nutrition. Les participants sont généralement des doctorants en dernière année de thèse, des post-doctorants et autres candidats ayant une expérience avérée dans le domaine de la nutrition.Le programme est destiné à de jeunes africains ayant une expérience dans le domaine de la Nutrition et qui ont un potentiel énorme pour devenir leader et qui désirent se perfectionner par la formation et/ou la pratique.

L’atelier est francophone et permet ainsi d’ouvrir cette formation à l’ensemble des pays francophones africains.

A l’issu de leur formation les PLANistes s’engagent à : - Contribuer à l’amélioration de la nutrition sur le continent africain et à encourager et soutenir la formation des leaders Africains dans le domaine de la Nutrition;

The PLAN (Programme of African Leadership in Nutrition) is a nutrition leadership programme for African francophone nutritionnists. It is held once every two years in Rabat, Morocco.

The programme is organized in partnership with the IUNS and the ANLP in South Africa.

Website www.plan-francophone.com Upcoming edition June 2014

African Nutrition Matters March 2014

Empowered to Innovate

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AWARD Builds Women Scientists’ Research, Leadership Skills Karen Homer African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Olutayo Modupeopla Adedokun, a Lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt’s Faculty of Agriculture, is a female top Nigerian expert on mushroom production.

This innovative plant scientist is characterizing indigenous Nigerian mushrooms using molecular tools and evaluating their medicinal, nutritional and nutraceutical properties. Her vision is to see women across Nigeria cultivating these high-protein fungi for improved food and nutrition security along with income generation.

As a woman, Adedokun is a rare breed leader in Africa’s agricultural research. A majority of women in Africa are involved in production, processing, and marketing food items. However, only one in four African agricultural researchers is female and only 14 percent hold leadership positions in agricultural research institutions.

There are a number of contributing factors especially the high dropout rate of female students from science classes at secondary education level. To many female students, science subjects are perceived to be difficult and therefore a domain for men.

Societal expectations that dictate African women remain at home makes traveling abroad for further scientific studies challenging. Further more, most government decision-making positions are occupied by men and therefore women miss out on key opportunities, including training and participation in prioritizing institutional and national development issues.

Adedokun knows that change is possible—women scientists can secure posi-

tions of influence, even in the traditionally male-dominated research world. She credits the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) fellowship she won in 2011 for strengthening her science and leadership skills, as well as equipping her to advance in her career. ”As an AWARD fellow, I was supported to attend the International Society for Mushroom Science conference in Beijing, China, and I am currently being supported at Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) in Nairobi, Kenya, where I am studying the molecular characterization of indigenous Nigerian mushrooms—a superfood,” says Adedokun.

AWARD is a career-development program that equips top women agricultural scientists across sub-Saharan Africa to accelerate agricultural gains by strengthening their research and leadership skills.Award receives financial supported from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, and Agropolis Fondation.

AWARD fellows receive a two-year fellowship focused on nurturing mentoring partnerships, building science skills, and developing leadership capacity. Fellowship applicants should fit the following criteria; be African women working in agricultural research for development and should be holders of a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in selected disciplines residing or working in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania,

Uganda, and Zambia. Applicants too are required to show some of the following traits; intellectual merit, leadership capacity, and potential of their scientific work to improve the daily lives of smallholder farmers, especially women.

Almost 3,000 women scientists from 450 institutions across Africa have applied for one of the 325 AWARD fellowships offered to date. AWARD laureates include 51 African women scientists in food and nutrition. Their skills are urgently needed to realise Global Harvest Initiative’s goal Africa’s capacity to feed 2 billion people by 2050—almost twice her current population. Based on present trends, Sub Saharan Africa’s food production system will only be able to meet 13 percent of the continent’s needs by then if the status quo remain as is now.

“Clearly, the best minds in agricultural research—both men and women—are needed to meet this challenge,” says Dr. Josephine Songa, AWARD Science Coordinator. “We believe that advances and innovation in agricultural research will happen when led and enriched by skilled, influential African women. That’s why AWARD directly invests in African women scientists, empowering them to help close the gender gaps across the agricultural value chain.” she adds.

For more information about AWARD, visit: http://www.awardfellowships.org/

AWARD Fellows are bringing agricultural research to those who need it most: smallholder farmers.

Photo credit: AWARD fellowship

African Nutrition Matters March 2014

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GAIN: Elevating Nutrition on to a higher pedestal in Nigeria Larry Umunna Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Nigeria The picture of malnutrition in Africa’s most populous country is a dismal one!

Two out of five children in the oil-rich nation of Nigeria are stunted, contributing negatively to Africa’s nutrition credentials and limiting her social and economic potential.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has joined nutrition stakeholders in Nigeria to tackle the scourge of malnutrition. In 2011, we opened our Abuja office to work with various stakeholders including governments, civil society and the private sector, to build collaborative partnerships focused on nutrition.

GAIN has reinvigorated the Food Fortification program in Nigeria. The first comprehensive study to ascertain the level of compliance with fortification standards was conducted recently by Bells University of Technology. Based on results, the National Agency for Food, Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has developed an extensive monitoring tool to regularly monitor retail samples. Action has also been taken to increase capacity of Food inspectors and Port inspectors.

GAIN has donated i-Check field testing kits to NAFDAC to assist the agency to measure and monitor levels of micronutrients in foods.We are providing technical assistance to the Standards Organization of Nigeria in their review of fortification standards and to align them with WHO Guidelines. GAIN is also working with partners to launch a Social Marketing Campaign to increase consumer awareness of the benefits of fortified food.

Home Fortification is a strategy to reduce micronutrient deficiencies through use of Micronutrient Powders (MNPs) especially by the hard-to-reach segments of the population. It was first introduced to Nigerian nutrition stakeholders in June 2012 at a meeting hosted by the Federal Government, supported by GAIN. Guidelines for the control of micronutrient deficiencies were revised to allow for use of MNPs and approved by the National

Council on Health in August 2013. This policy development has resulted in new MNP programs and has encouraged local production of MNPs in Nigeria. Benue State recently procured 10 million sachets of MNPs from a local manufacturer for distribution to children between 6 and 59 months during Maternal Newborn and Child Health week in November 2013.

GAIN is supporting the State to conduct a comprehensive behavior change campaign and impact assessment study.

sector executives to explain the Scaling Up Nutrition process and seek their commitments to scaling up nutrition in Nigeria. Commitments to date include the use of brands to communicate nutrition messages and ensure that nutrition outcomes are part of their business plans. GAIN recently hosted a workshop in partnership with Unilever to discuss recent developments in nutrition and implications on Nigerian consumers. Nutrition professionals had the opportunity to discuss the recent Lancet series and Nutrition for Growth initiatives.

GAIN remains committed to providing expertise, guidance and support to all nutrition stakeholders in the fight against malnutrition in Nigeria.

Efforts by GAIN Nigeria to raise the profile of nutrition issues have not been limited to programmatic activities. GAIN has also facilitated a meeting with private

African Nutrition Matters March 2014

regional news

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The Nutrition Situation in West Africa Folake Samuel University of Ibadan, Nigeria Hayford Mawuli Avedzi University of Alberta, Canada West Africa consists of the area in Africa that is bordered to both the south and the west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the north by the Sahara Desert. There are sixteen countries that make up the area that is considered to be West Africa. All of them except for Mauritania are members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The countries that make up the ECOWAS include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.The West African/ECOWAS sub region is endowed with rich biodiversity arising from a variety of natural vegetation belts, agricultural produce and traditional food systems.

Agriculture is the main livelihood domain; hence its sustainability is fundamental to food and nutrition security in the sub-region.

Malnutrition remains a major problem in West Africa, and its determinants range from agricultural to ecological, sociocultural, economic and political and thus defies a one-size-fits-all approach.The region has experienced very little progress in reducing food insecurity and child malnutrition in the past two decades. According to national surveys from the region, approximately 35% of children under five years of age are stunted, 28% are underweight and about 10% of children are wasted. Micronutrient deficiencies especially vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc are also of public health significance in the region. Poverty, hikes in food prices and climate changes are the major problems in the agriculture-malnutrition nexus, with poverty resulting into insufficient access to enough nutritious food along with difficulties to access natural resources, e.g. land and water, to produce food. Similarly high food prices lead to a reduction in household spending on health and education among the poor; further undermining good nutrition.

In addition, climate change aggravates food insecurity and malnutrition by making natural disasters more frequent, intense and reducing food production.

Other factors that contribute significantly to the situation include suboptimal infant and young child feeding practices and maternal undernutrition. Urbanization, globalization and the resulting nutrition transition are also driving the problems of overweight and obesity which give rise to the double burden of communicable and chronic non-communicable diseases.

All the member countries of ECOWAS are

either not on track or not making enough progress towards the Millenium Development Goals when it comes to hunger and malnutrition, except for Ghana and Guinea Bissau. It has been estimated that about 36 million people are still undernourished in the ECOWAS region. The nutrition situation in the Sahel of West Africa is of great concern in particular, as there is currently a food and nutrition crisis across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Northern Nigeria and Senegal. The issues involved include food shortages, volatile and high food prices, irregular/late rains, presence of swarms of migrant locusts as well as population displacements due to insecurity.

The dire consequences of this Sahelian crisis is food insecurity for more than 11 million persons with a continuing high prevalence of acute malnutrition reported to exceed the critical level of 10% (certain regions of Burkina Faso and Mali) and emergency level of 15% (certain regions of Chad, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal). This has resulted in an increase in admissions to nutrition rehabilitation centers in many of these countries. It has been estimated that over 1.4 million children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition in 2013.

Efforts to ameliorate this crisis are ongoing in the regions – for instance, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is assisting more than 1.6 million beneficiaries with support to food and livestock production, domestic animal protection and related technical assistance. In Mali, emergency response/support of UNICEF and partners includes capacity building of health workers on Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), admission of 175,000 children with severe acute malnutrition into therapeutic feeding programmes and the implementation of child health days to distribute vitamin A supplements and deworming tablets to improve nutritional status of children under the age of five years.

Beyond addressing the localised crisis of the Sahel, there have also been several other high level regional initiatives and actions to address malnutrition in the ECOWAS region.

For instance the ECOWAS Nutrition Forum has been meeting since 1995, bringing together nutrition stakeholders from all member states of ECOWAS, as well as stakeholders from the UN system, international organizations and an increasing number of NGOs, the Civil Society and local associations. In addition, efforts have been made to integrate nutri-

tion in national agricultural and food security investment plans and development agendas of ECOWAS member states. Such efforts include, but not limited to, the West Africa Regional Nutrition Programme Development Workshop held November 9-12, 2011 in Dakar, Senegal. The workshop was hosted by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in collaboration with ECOWAS and West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) and attended by 180 representatives of government Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Finance and Economic Planning, and Civil Society from all West African countries. Recommendations emanating from the workshop included strengthening capacities of institutional structures dealing with agriculture issues, promoting advocacy activities to decision makers to ensure better visibility of nutritional aspects in projects and programmes under implementation, and ensuring adequate financial resources for food and nutrition activities. Also, it was recommended that nutrition issues should be considered in a cross-sectoral manner, which makes use of all opportunities and potentials in the nutrition development agenda. In line with cross-sectoral approach to nutrition, European Union and UNICEF with governments and many other global development partners have developed the Africa’s Nutrition Security Partnership (ANSP) programme to strengthen development and implementation of multisectoral policies and programmes aimed at reducing maternal and child nutrition in Mali and Burkina Faso.

With all these efforts, it is puzzling that malnutrition remains a burden in the ECOWAS sub-region. While there is the need to intensify regional initiatives that can address cross cutting issues in the different member countries, one clear path to follow is a genuine audit of current activities to evaluate their process and outcome impacts, as well as the challenges and lessons learned. Such information needs to be compiled, documented and disseminated in order to meaningfully move forward the nutrition agenda of the ECOWAS sub-region.

Further reading The African Union and the United Nation Children’s Fund (2009) A snapshot of the Nutrition situation in Africa RPCA (2012) Food security and nutrition in the Sahel and West Africa: Main Recommendations of the 28th RPCA Annual Meeting Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 4-6 December 2012. www.food-security.net FAO (2013) Situation update:The Sahel crisis.

United Nations System Standing Committee on Nutrition (2010) Food and Nutrition Security in West-Africa: Opportunities and Challenges Supplement on the 11th Annual ECOWAS Nutrition Forum.

SCN NEWS No 38.

regional news

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Nutrition training in Southern Africa Nonsikelelo Mathe University of Alberta, Canada Carol Mahachi University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe According to the Health Professionals Council of South Africa, A nutritionist is regarded as “a person responsible for the promotion of nutritional health and well-being and prevention of nutrition related disorders of groups, communities or populations via sustainable and equitable improvements in the food and nutrition system...�

This definition developed in response to a much needed updating of the roles of nutrition professionals (including dieticians) and a desire to align training of these professionals with the needs of society in which they serve (1). The burden of lifestyle diseases including overweight, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases is increasing in many developing countries including those in Southern Africa. Previously the fight had been to reduce undernutrition such a Protein Energy Malnutrition, Vitamin A deficiency, Anaemia, iodine deficiency, malnutrition related to infectious disease such as diarrhoea, malaria, tropical sprue, HIV and AIDS. There was always a great focus on under 5 year olds through the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI). These diseases continue to dominate the public health agenda in most Southern African countries, although, there is a growing recognition of the impact of lifestyle related non-communicable diseases. Thus, the role of health professionals such as nutritionists and dieticians who have training in addressing lifestyle diseases is vital in the fight against this double burden of disease. Nutritionists and Dieticians translate nutrition science into practical preventative and curative solutions for individuals, communities and countries. Moreover, nutrition research from African countries is critical as it allows informed action towards what works best on the continent (2). Nutritionists and dieticians trained in research are essential to fighting diseases and developing local strategies for prevention and cure.

In Southern African countries including, Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe nutrition training is provided mostly in higher education institutions (mainly universities and postsecondary colleges). Nutritionists and dieticians are trained at undergraduate and post-graduate level for work in academia, government, industry (private sector) and in non-governmental organisations.In line with our current theme, enhancing our impact as nutritionist researchers, we sought to identify the availability of nutrition training in Southern African countries. Most importantly, we wanted to identify where post-graduate training was available, in an attempt to highlight research training. We undertook a web-based search for nutrition and dietetics training programs (both undergraduate and post graduate) in Southern Africa countries;searching mainly on the websites of universities in Southern Africa. Where information was not available

online, we used personal contacts to get information on nutrition training in the different countries.

figure 1

Figure 1 shows information on the nutrition and dietetics courses, and some in combination with food sciences at institutions in Southern Africa. The information presented here is that which is readily available online from university websites. South Africa provides the most opportunities for nutrition training at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Not all countries have stand alone nutrition training programs, for example in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Madagascar the nutrition training is provided for as part a another program that has modules in nutrition. Most nutrition training is at the undergraduate level with not many opportunities for postgraduate training except in South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi where MSc programs are available.

It appears that most nutrition research in southern African is undertaken in three countries. It is known that many nutritionists undertake post-graduate training in other countries globally.

1. Steyn NP, Mbhenyane XG. Workforce development in South Africa with a focus on public health nutrition. Public health nutrition. 2008;11(8):792-800.

Epub 2008/03/19.

2. Van Royen K, Lachat C, Holdsworth M, Smit K, Kinabo J, Roberfroid D, et al.

How can the operating environment for nutrition research be improved in subSaharan Africa? The views of African researchers. PloS one. 2013;8(6):e66355.

Epub 2013/06/19.

African Nutrition Matters March 2014

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Highlights from the 20th International Congress of Nutrition Robert Fungo African Nutrition Society Nonsikelelo Mathe University of Alberta, Canada

The 20th ICN conference held in Granada Spain, from 15th -20th September 2013, attracted a total of 4,251 delegates from 120 countries. There were 700 Speakers that presented and exhibited their work. A significant number of African delegates working in Africa and the diaspora attended and made either oral and poster presentations, on a number of topical issues affecting Africa. African delegates and Agencies including the African Nutrition Society successful exhibited their works. At this event the ANM inaugural issue was launched. The next IUNS conference, the 21st International Congress of Nutrition, will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2017. We look forward to having as many African delegates at this meeting. Below are some highlights in pictures from the IUNS congress.

Representation of African Nutritionists The African continent as usual was strongly represented by delegates from academia, government and private sector. Delegates came from the following African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso,Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia,Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan,Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Launch of African Nutrition Matters newsletter

Representation from corporate organizations providing nutrition products and services Corporate organisations present at the 20th ICN to promote their products and services included Nestle, Coca-cola, General Mills, DSM, Unilever, and Danone among others.These organizations hosted several symposia on topics like; Early life nutrition interventions, biomarkers of nutritional development, Bread and health (UIB), Alive & Thrive, World Bank Costing of Scaling up Nutrition. Satellite symposia and seminars were part of the event and were hosted by; Forum SLAN, International Malnutrition Task force, IUNS task force, Nestle Nutrition Institute, HERO institute for infant nutrition, European Hydration institute, Abbott Nutrition health Institute, General Mills institute for health and nutrition and ALPRO. These symposia and fora allowed nutritionists to understand the work of these organizations and engage them in debates on topical nutrition issues.

The African Nutrition Matters, the official newsletter for the African Nutrition Society was officially launched at the IUNS congress. The quarterly published newsletter features articles discussing topical issues within the field of nutrition related to Africa. Articles come from various sources including, opinion leaders, policy makers, students and young scientists.

African Nutrition Leadership Program (ANLP) Alumni Lunch It has become tradition for ANLP alumni to seek each other out at international conferences and meet for lunch. This conference was no exceptions. Almost all the ANLP alumni through the years were represented. New bonding, friendships and networks were established and others rekindled as the alumni discussed

African Nutrition Matters March 2014

memories and the great times from Potchefstroom as well as progress in their careers.

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Announcement of the IUNS 21st ICN

The IUNS 21st International Congress of Nutrition will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Introduction of Professor Anna Lartey as IUNS president During the conference, the General Assembly of the International Union of Nutrition Societies (IUNS) was held. During the Assembly, our own Professor Anna Lartey from Ghana, was confirmed by the IUNS Society delegates as the President for IUNS from 2013-2017. This was the biggest highlight of the IUNS congress for many of the participants, including Africans.

Anna Lartey becomes the first African and only second woman to hold the position of President of the IUNS. At the same assembly , Professor Gideon Ndossi from Tanzania was elected as the IUNS council member.

The Congress will take place during the month of October 2017 in collaboration with the Argentinean Association of Nutrition. The scientific programme will develop during 5 days and it will be focussed on the motto chosen by the organizers; that is, the availability of sciences related to nutrition to collaborate in achieving food safety for human beings of this remarkable world.

The pillars of the scientific programme will be: 1. Scientific research: achievements, working programmes, future directions.

2. Nutrition resources: conflicts and opportunities.

3. Nutrition and illnesses: nutrition during illness and illnesses originated from nutrition.

4. Nutrition and policy: domestic and global strategies, regulations, needs and approaches.

Registration and call for abstracts should start late 2016 or early 2017.

Overall, the conference had a positive feedback from the attendance, we are looking forward to next edition in 2017.

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Spotlight: Young and emerging African nutrition researchers Nonsikelelo Mathe University of Alberta, Canada close to their chest to protect their own interests. However by sharing ones work, knowledge and experience I believe you will not only enhance your impact as a researchers but also personally benefit by creating opportunities and expanding network.

work; inadequate research facilities at local institutions; lack of access to research funding; lack of mentorship; lack of access to top quality journals and publications; lack of professional networks; politics in professional organizations; no recognition at home; inadequate pay.

Martin N. Mwangi

We enhance our impact as nutrition researchers by: building strong networks and collaborations; creating mentorship avenues for upcoming nutrition researchers; mapping out the talent pool currently available in the African continent and making it easy to know who is working in your area. We can build professional organizations that are synergistic in approach; Lobby for the nutrition agenda at all levels of government and global organizations; Advocate for policy change and ensure that nutrition features high on the national agenda in our respective countries; Form collaborations across borders, and provide peer review to each other; Design joint research projects e.g. multisite studies that foster collaboration and empowerment.

Johanita Kruger

University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.

My area of research is mineral nutrition of staple foods such as grains grain and legumes. I investigate the effect of the hard to cook (HTC) phenomena on the mineral content, distribution and availability in cowpea. In addition, I investigate the effect of mineral availability, anti-nutrients and the location of minerals in millets and their mineral availability through the digestive tract. I recently received the Nevin Scrimshaw - International Nutrition Foundation (INF) fellowship 2013 to showcase my work on how “Genetically reduced phytate staple cereal grains increase iron intake–the case of sorghum”.

In October 2013 I presented part of my work at the 20th SAAFoST Biennial International Congress & Exhibition, Pretoria, South Africa. My colleagues and I have also recently published a paper in the journal of the institute of brewing for their 125th International review ‘Taylor, J.R.N., Dlamini, D.C. & Kruger, J. 2013.

125th Anniversary Review: The science of the tropical cereals, sorghum, maize and rice in relation to lager beer brewing.

Journal of the Institute of Brewing, 119, 1-14’.

This has not come without challenges, I think everyone experiences different challenges, but finding your own voice and space within your research expertise is definitely one of them. It is not always easy to formulate your personal and professional goals and even more difficult to align and focus them. Sharing is not only caring, but also a very important way to enhance our impact as nutrition researchers. I sometimes get the feeling that people think that they should play their cards

Wageningen University and Research Centre My area of research is micronutrients and infectious diseases. Micronutrient of interest are iron, zinc, folic acid, and vitamin A and infectious diseases in particular malaria and HIV/ AIDS. Currently, I am working on novel staple food-based strategies to improve micronutrient status for better health and development in sub-Saharan Africa (INSTAPA project – see www.instapa.org). Specifically, I am investigating the safety and efficacy of iron supplementation in pregnant African women.

Recently I presented a paper entitled “Safety and efficacy of fortification versus fortification plus supplementation with iron in African pregnant women: a randomised controlled trial” at the IUNS 20th International Congress of Nutrition held in Granada, Spain. In addition, I won the European Masters competition (in collaboration with three colleagues) for a video entitled “From too little to too much: the emergence of stunted obesity in developing countries”. This video is hosted by Sight and Life International. http://www.sightandlife.org/media/videos/stunted-obesity-video.html The major challenges facing young nutrition researchers include, inadequate training/ preparation for high quality research

DOUGNON Tamègnon Victorien

Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi (EPAC), University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.

I work a lot in areas as microbiology, toxicology, Nutrition and fields related to medicinal plants. Currently, I am doing work on the ‘Contributions of Solanum macrocarpon Linn (Solanaceae) to human health’ and anaerobic biodigestion of chickens manure used for cultivation in Benin’. S. macrocarpon is a vegetable produced by almost 95% of market gardeners. It is highly consumed by the population, however there is limited sci-

African Nutrition Matters March 2014

entific data about it in Cotonou. My study assesses nutritional and medicinal properties of S. macrocarpon on the one hand, and the healthy techniques of production of this vegetable with chicken’s manure in Cotonou in the other hand.

I have several publications in this area and have presented at numerous conferences in African and globally. Most recently, I presented work in Granada Spain, Senegal and Cote d’ivoire. My colleagues and I have recently published the following papers: Dougnon V., Edorh P., Bankolé H., Dougnon J., Klotoé JR., Loko F., Creppy E.E., Boko M. 2013.

Présence du plomb dans les feuilles de Solanum macrocarpon Linn cultivé à Cotonou (Bénin) : rôle des fientes de poulets mal compostées. Comptes Rendus Biologie, 336(5-6) : 261-264 .

Aïssi A.K., Hounto-Ogouyemi A., Lozes E., Johnson C.R., Kplakatcha S., Dougnon V., Tchiakpe E., Klotoe J.R., Barogui Y., Guedenon P., Edorh P.A., Loko F. 2013. Frequency of deficiencies in trace elements and correlations with the degree of immunosuppression in people living with HIV in Cotonou (Benin). International Journal of Biosciences, 3(4): 58-67.

The main challenges we face nutrition reasearchers in Africa are mainly: lack of funding for research on endogenous food; absence of infrastructure to conduct advanced research in nutrition: and limited training of young researchers in nutrition.

I think we can enhance our impact as nutrition researchers by exploring our endogenous food. Most African countries still need their own tables of food composition. To realise the impact of our researches we need to write and implement research projects between many African young researchers and scholars.

Aaron Christian Kobina

University of Ghana, Lagon.

Pursuing a PhD in Population Studies after completing my MPhil in Nutrition.

My current research interest is determining the relationship between climate change/variability and food and nutrition security in vulnerable households.

At the recent IUNS congress I presented a poster: Christian, AK, Anna Lartey, Ama de-Graft Aikins, Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe (2013): Climate variability on caregiver’s mental health and child nutritional status. I have also presented

work a conferences in New Orleans, Boston and Bangkok. In New Orleans, I was awarded the Best Poster Award at the Population Association of America Conference, 2013, New Orleans, United States of America. `Poster title: Caregivers’ Nutritional Knowledge, Income and Children’s Intake across Three Ecological Zones in Ghana: The ENAM Study.

Aaron Christian et al. I have been fortunate to receive travel awards from several institutions including Carolina Population Centre, University of North Carolina and International Nutritional Foundation/Ellision Medical Foundation.

Together with my colleagues, I have recently published the following papers: B. Sterk, A. K. Christian, A. C. Gogan, O. SakyiDawson & D. Kossou (2013) Five Years After; the Impact of a Participatory Technology Development Programme as Perceived by Smallholder Farmers in Benin and Ghana, The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension,19:4, 361-379, DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2013.782819 Christian, AK, A Lartey, E Colecraft, GS Marquis, O Sakyi-Dawson, BK Ahunu The relationship between caregivers’ income generation activities and children’s animal source food intake. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development. Volume 12, Number 1, February 2012.

Christian, AK and Nikoi G. Participant Perceptions of the Avian Flu School in Ghana, RUMINATIONS, Management Entity, Global Livestock Collaborative Research Support Program, University of California-Davis, Program Winter -2008.

Young nutrition researchers particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and studying in the region often lack adequate funds for their research. There are fewer opportunities for doctoral student sponsorship for programs resident the region. The few available also have research interests, which are driven by external interest.

The nutrition research reveals that factors leading to food security and malnutrition are as diverse as the consequence. Families may be exposed to food and nutrition problems due to a myriad of problems emanating from economic, social, spatial and geopolitical factors, thus nutrition researchers, especially those interested in interventions must be have adequate skills or knowledge in some of these fields or be equipped with skills to work together with a multidisciplinary team to ensure more success in nutrition interventions.

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Lifoter Kenneth Navti, ANutr.

Center for International Health at Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, Munich, Germany My research interest is childhood obesity and I am currently involved in projects investigating ‘The socioeconomic pattern of weight gain in children in sub-Saharan Africa and the Contribution of stature to overweight/obesity in children’. At the recent IUNS congress in Spain, I presented part of my work in poster titled “Prevalence of overweight/obesity in relation to height for age in Cameroon school age children”. I have recently presented work at conferences in Munich Germany and Bamenda, Cameroon. In addition, my colleagues (Navti LK, Samani-Radia D, McCarthy HD) and I, recently published a paper in the Annals of Human Biology titled: ‘Children’s body fatness and prevalence of obesity in relation to height for age’. Annals of Human Biology, 2013.

In 2012, I attended attended an International Workshop on Global Public Health, Center for International Health at LudwigMaximilians Universität, Munich, Germany. I have received travel awards and funding from the Nevin Scrimshaw International Nutrition Foundation, I benefited from a doctoral Scholarship at the Centre for International Health at Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, Munich, Germany, to pursue a PhD in International Health.

This scholarship is under the auspice of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), 2013, and have previously received a Graduate Scholarship at the London Metropolitan University, to pursue a MSc. in Public Health Nutrition, 2007.

I see limited nutrition leadership as a major challenge for young nutrition researchers and I believe, the use of evidence-based nutrition is very important and above all researchers must ensure that nutrition messages are consistent.

African Nutrition Matters March 2014

Obituary

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While we were ready to release this issue of the Newsletter, we were deeply saddened to learn of Prof. Akinyele passing away on February 27th, 2014. At this difficult time, we would like to express our sincere sympathy and heartfelt condolences to his family and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria on behalf of ANS and the entire African nutrition community.

With sadness,

- The African Nutrition Matters Editorial team and the African Nutrition Society Council -

three years under the Presidency of Dr Boutrous Boutrous Ghali the former Secretary General of the United Nations. Professor Akinyele was the President of the Food Basket Foundation International, the first indigenous Nutrition-based, nonprofit, non-governmental organization in Nigeria since 1989.

Professor Isaac O. Akinyele Professor Isaac Olaoluwa Akinyele, a renowned Human Nutrition and Development expert was born in Ibadan in September 1947. He attended Government College Ibadan from 1960 to 1966, University of Ibadan from September 1967 to June 1970 and obtained his MSc in May 1974 and PhD in May 1976 from the University of Illinois Urbana Illinois USA. He joined the Department of Human Nutrition in the University of Ibadan on September 20 1976 as Lecturer II. He was a visiting Associate Professor at Iowa State University Ames Iowa USA in the 1982/83 session during his sabbatical year and became a Professor of the University of Ibadan on October 1 1990. He was Head, Department of Human Nutrition UI from 1991-1995, He also served as the Head, Department of Human Nutrition for the second time between August 1 2009 to July 31 2013. He became Dean, Faculty of Public Health from August 1 2004-July 31 2008.

Professor Akinyele was President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria from 2002 to 2004. He was also President of the Society for International Development (SID) Ibadan Chapter from 1988 to 1998 and member International Governing Council of the Society for International Development from 1991 to 2000 serving the last

Professor Akinyele has received many awards for his contributions in various spheres of life. He received the outstanding achievement award for NGO management in Africa in 1999. He was a Fellow of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria 2003 and Fellow of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (2005). In recognition of his outstanding contributions to research in nutritional sciences nationally and internationally. He was one of only three Nigerians so honored since IUNS was established in 1948. He received an award of merit for his contribution to the development of Public Health in Africa in 2008. He was the first Nigerian to receive the Nestle Nutrition Institute for Africa award for outstanding contribution to Public Health Nutrition in Africa in 2008.

He was honored by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria with an award of excellence for his contribution to Nutritional Sciences in Nigeria. He was made an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology in October 2012.

Professor Akinyele, till his sad demise was the national coordinator of the NIGERIA FOODS DATABASE network and was elected to serve from 2011 to 2016 as the Regional Coordinator for Africa of the African Food Data System network (AFROFOODS) which is the African arm of the FAO/ INFOODS. Professor Akinyele served as a Consultant for the Food and Nutrition Division of FAO between from 1986 to 2007 and carried out assignments severally in Rome, Italy, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Ni-

geria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Professor Akinyele has also served as a consultant to UNICEF, UNDP, USAID, IFAD, HKI and the World Bank in Washington D.C and Nigeria country office Abuja.

Professor Akinyele was an erudite scholar whose academic achievements are unique in the application of a broad-based and integrated approach to teaching and research which is multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary. He served as Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator for many National and International Research projects.

Professor Akinyele has strongly contributed to building capacity in nutrition and expending the number of nutrition professionals and scholars in Nigeria and abroad. He supervised and mentored many students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and graduated 80 B.Sc, over 65 M.Sc, 6 MPH and 10 Ph.D candidates, two of whom have been Professors for over five years. Others work in universities, International organizations such as UNICEF, GAIN, HKI, Micronutrient Initiative Canada, in food industries such as Nestle Nigeria PLc, Unilever Nigeria Plc and in government Ministries of Health and Agriculture at State and Federal levels.

Professor Akinyele had to his credit over 140 publications representing chapters in books, articles in learned peer reviewed journals, technical reports and conference proceedings. Professor Akinyele was married with children and grandchildren.

He was called to glory on Thursday, 27th February, 2014. He will be sadly missed by the Nutrition community in Nigeria, Africa and the world. written by Folake Samuel & Adepoju Oladejo

African Nutrition Matters March 2014

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Events

Calendar of upcoming nutrition events

13-15 May 2014 Advanced course on dietary assessment methods Abderdeen, Scotland http://www.abdn.ac.uk/acdam

15-17 May 2014 Building Resilience for Food and Nutrition Security Addis Ababa, Ethiopia http://www.2020resilience.ifpri.info

26-29 May 2014 International Symposium on Understanding Moderate Malnutrition in Children for Effective Interventions Vienna, Austria http://goo.gl/PpL8XV

2-6 June 2014 Micronutrient Forum Global Conference: Bridging Discovery and Delivery Addis Ababa, Ethiopia http://www.micronutrientforum.org

14-18 July 2014 Transforming Nutrition Ideas, Policy and Outcomes 2014

Brighton, UK http://www.ids.ac.uk/events/transforming-nutrition-ideas-policy-and-outcomes-2014

21-25 July 2014 6th African Nutrition Epidemiology Conference Accra, Ghana http://www.nutritionghana.org/anec6

22-26 September 2014 Soy possibilities: Myths & controversies debunked Vaal University of Technology, South Africa Contact info: zelda@vut.ac.za

14-17 October 2014 7th International Conference and Exhibition on Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods Istanbul, Turkey http://www.isnff2014.org

13-15 November 2014 2nd International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) - Preparatory Technical Meeting FAO HQ, Rome, Italy http://www.fao.org/food/nutritional-policies-strategies/icn2/en/

Share your events with a wider audience, send us an email: newsletter@answeb.org