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Protein

Was the protein intake sufficient in the past?

The protein intake in Uganda was often below the recommended intake. A comparison of nutrient intakes between the plantain (32-66 g) consuming areas with millet and legume consumption (54-93 g) in the 1960s showed a higher protein intake in the millet areas. The dietary survey of the 1960s also showed that the intake of animal protein in almost every rural area was below 10 g per head per day, except among pastoral people like the Karamoja in Uganda, where one person could consume up to 220g animal protein during a meal (Homes et al., 1954) or among the Masai who ate between 150 and 300 g animal protein per adult per day. (Orr et al., 1931)

References:
Homes, E. G., E. R. Jones, et al. (1954). "Malnutrition in African adults -2. Protein storage." British Journal of Nutrition 8: 173.
Orr, J. R. and J. L. Gilks (1931). The physique and health of two African tribes. Special report series No. 155, Medical research council: 17.

Reprinted from Oltersdorf, U. (1971). Comparison of Nutrient Intakes in East Africa. Proceedings of a conference held in Blantyre, Malawi, International Biological Programme, 7 Marylebone road, London, NW1, England, copyright 1971, with permission from Oltersdorf U.

PDF: Review of nutrition in Uganda_1945

PDF: Uganda's protein supply of the past

The "Ettu paste"

To bridge the gap between breast feeding and the time when the adult diet was satisfactory, Professor Jelliffe tried to introduce the ettu paste. To provide the child with adequate protein, all available animal protein was used in the forms which the child was able to eat and suitable vegetable protein mixtures were used as well.

The ettu paste was cooked as most of the foods were cooked by the Baganda and other tribes, in packets of banana leaves and consisted of a variety of mixtures:

• Cooking banana and groundnuts
  
• Sweet potatoes and beans
  
• Sweet potatoes and groundnuts
  
• Other protein sources: dried milk, eggs, fish, edible insects;
  

Professor Jelliffe pointed out that from the amount of diversity of foods available in Uganda; there should be no kwashiorkor in this country. An attempt which evolved local patterns and culture to decrease protein deficiencies is summarized in this article in which the papers presented at the Conference held in 1961 were reviewed.

Reference: Dean, R. F. A. (1962). "Protein supply in Uganda." East African Medical Journal: 493-500.

Protein consumption in Uganda from 1952-1957

The following article provides a short review of the papers presented at the conference held in 1961 on the provision and use of proteins in Uganda.

PDF: Protein supply in Uganda

The amount of animal protein available per head of the population in Bugosa, Bukedi and Ankole district, Uganda 1962

PDF: Protein-calorie malnutrition in Uganda, II-Busoga District, III-Bukedi District, IV-Bugisu District, V-Ankole district 1962

The serum protein pattern of Africans in Uganda: relation to diet and Malaria:1955

1. Serum proteins determinations have been made in adults and children in three different parts of Uganda. The people who lived in the districts of Kampala, Karamoja and Kigezi consumed different diets and the incidence of malaria varied among them.
2. The serum protein pattern observed in all three districts differed martially from that observed among Europeans. Furthermore the patterns observed in the three districts also differed from each other.
3. The results in this paper were discussed from the point of view of their bearing upon the cause of the high gamma globulin values frequently observed.

Reference : Holmes, E., M. Stanier, et al. (1955). "The serum protein pattern of Africans in Uganda: Relation to diet and malaria." Trans. Roy. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 49: 376.

Protein available from local sources for Uganda in 1958 and 1959

This article provides you with data on:

• Calculations of protein values
  
• Protein values of foods
  
• Theoretical daily requirements of protein at different age groups
  
• Net available protein in 1951, 1957, 1958, 1959
  
• Net available protein in the four provinces of Uganda 1958, 1959
  
• Percentage of total calories and proteins derived from various sources in 1951, 1957, 1958, 1959
  
• Percentage of animal protein derived from meat, milk and fish in 1959
  
• Percentage of total calories and protein derived from maize, sorghum and finger millet in 1959
  
• Percentage of total vegetable protein available from various sources in the four provinces in 1959
  
• Calories and protein available per head per day in 1951, 1957, 1958, 1959
  
• Amounts of calories and protein available from various sources per head per day in the four provinces in 1959
  
• Protein available in the four provinces in 1959, arranged to show a possible relationship to the incidence of Kwashiorkor
  

PDF: Protein-calorie malnutrition in Uganda, II-Busoga District, III-Bukedi District, IV-Bugisu District, V-Ankole district

 

Created by Verena Raschke 2005 / Contact