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. 2018 Sep;39(3):420-434.
doi: 10.1177/0379572118788266. Epub 2018 Aug 9.

Development and Acceptability of Locally Made Fish-Based, Ready-to-Use Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Malnutrition in Cambodia

Sanne Sigh  1   2 , Nanna Roos  1 , Daream Sok  1   2 , Bindi Borg  3 , Chhoun Chamnan  2 , Arnaud Laillou  4 , Marjoleine A Dijkhuizen  1 , Frank T Wieringa  5
Affiliations

Development and Acceptability of Locally Made Fish-Based, Ready-to-Use Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Malnutrition in Cambodia

Sanne Sigh et al. Food Nutr Bull. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Cambodia has a high prevalence of moderate acute malnutrition and severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The SAM treatment requires ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs), whereas ready-to-use supplementary foods (RUSFs) are used for prevention of acute malnutrition. Three locally produced fish-based products were developed: an RUTF paste (NumTrey-Paste) for treatment and 2 wafer versions, one for prevention (NumTrey-RUSF) and one for treatment (NumTrey-RUTF).

Objective: To assess the acceptability of NumTrey-Paste and NumTrey-RUSF in comparison to a standard biscuit product (BP-100) used for the treatment of SAM.

Methods: Acceptability of NumTrey-RUSF and NumTrey-Paste was tested in a nonblinded crossover taste trial among children (n = 52), aged ≥ 6 months to 18 years, and their caregivers. Eight organoleptic qualities were assessed on a 5-point hedonic scale, as well as a ranking test. A score of 1 to 3 was categorized as acceptable. The acceptability of NumTrey-RUTF was assessed using the caregivers' perception during an SAM treatment intervention.

Results: Taste trial: The proportion of children categorizing products as overall acceptable was lowest for NumTrey-Paste compared to for BP-100 and NumTrey-RUSF (21% vs 43% [BP-100] and 36% [NumTrey-RUSF]). No difference was found in the proportion of children who ranked BP-100 or NumTrey-RUSF as "liked most" ( P > .05). Acceptability of NumTrey-RUSF ranked highest in appearance and taste (caregiver), whereas acceptability of NumTrey-Paste was ranked lowest in appearance and smell among the products. Intervention trial: The acceptability of NumTrey-RUTF increased from 72% to 86%.

Conclusions: The overall acceptability was ranked lowest for a pure paste product. However, filling the paste into a wafer made the product more acceptable.

Keywords: Cambodia; acceptability; acute malnutrition; fish; locally produced foods; ready-to-use foods.

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