Nutrition

ActiveFood & Nutrition ScienceVLIR-UOS Funded

Problem Statement

Why this research matters

Under-nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in Kenya. These lead to poor mental and physical development among children, and poor health outcomes among ill persons including diabetics. Food based interventions provide a sustainable and affordable option to overcome micronutrient deficiencies. Legumes are rich in both proteins and micronutrients. The key focus area of this project will be legumes in Nutrition and Health. The project will investigate the role of legumes in optimizing the nutritional status, specifically zinc status in specific population groups in Kenya.

Research Objectives

To improve the zinc status among women, girls and children in Kenya

Creating conditions for uptake by communities and government of the newly created knowledge on nutritional and health benefits of consumption of legumes and legume based food products

Improving Research practices in Human Nutrition at JKUAT.

Research Activities

Resources & Capacity

Linet N. Mutwiri

PhD Candidate

She holds an MSc in Human Nutrition and Rural Development from Ghent University, Belgium (2015), and a BSc in Food Science and Nutrition from JKUAT, Kenya (2012). Her research interests include healthy and sustainable human diets, nutrition security, zinc, diet diversity, feeding trials and type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Moses Mogesi Mokaya

PhD Candidate

Moses is a registered member of the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI). He holds an MSc in Human Nutrition with specialization in Public Health from Maseno University. Moses has research interests in micronutrient deficiencies and their effect on noncommunicable diseases and lifelong health.

Dianah Mulwa

MSc Candidate

Diana Mwelu Mulwa is currently working on 'The Development and Relative Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire in Kenya for School Going Children (10-14 Years) and Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Makueni County to Assess Nutrient Intake.'