https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn <ol> <li class="show">The Journal accepts articles from all basic and applied areas of dietetics and human nutrition, including clinical nutrition, community nutrition, food science, food policy, food service management, nutrition policy and public health nutrition.</li> <li class="show">The Journal has a broad interpretation of the field of nutrition and recognizes that there are many factors that determine nutritional status and that need to be the subject of scientific investigation and reported in the Journal.</li> <li class="show">The Journal seeks to serve a broad readership and to provide information that will be useful to the scientific community, the academic community, government and non-government stakeholders in the nutrition field, policy makers and industry.</li> <li class="show">The Journal encourages articles from all investigators in the field of dietetics, food, nutrition and related areas. In particular young researchers and researchers from historically disadvantaged backgrounds will be encouraged and supported to submit their research work for publication.</li> <li class="show">The Journal is based in South Africa and encourages articles from other African countries to act as a forum for the discussion of African nutritional issues.</li> <li class="show">The Journal is committed to high scientific and ethical standards.</li> <li class="show">The Journal will accept letters for publication, which are relevant to the Journal.</li> <li class="show">The Journal provides a forum for publication of congress abstracts, supplements, short communications and policy statements with their technical support papers.</li> <li class="show">The views expressed in the Journal are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Editorial Board.</li> <li class="show">The Journal will be managed by an Editor and Editorial Board with the following responsibilities:</li> <ul> <li class="show">Maintenance of scientific standards of the articles published and appointment of a review Panel of experts for the peer review process</li> <li class="show">Maintenance of ethical standards of the articles published</li> Encouragement and support of authors <li class="show">Promotion of the readership</li> <li class="show">Ensuring the spread of articles published</li> </ul> <li class="show">Maintenance of ethical standards with regard to sponsorship and advertisements</li> <li class="show">The Editorial Board of the SAJCN recognises the important role that advertisements and sponsorships play in meeting the costs of the publication and in ensuring the continued existence of the Journal. The SAJCN welcomes advertising or funding from all possible sources, provided the advertisements or funding arrangements are supportive of the objectives of the Journal and do not conflict with the mission, vision and values statements of ADSA, NSSA and SASPEN. The following guidelines shall be implemented for sponsorship and advertising:</li> <ul> <li class="show">The Jakarta Declaration, which clearly stipulates that “both the public and the private sector should promote health by pursuing policies and practices that ….. restrict production and trade in inherently harmful goods and substances such as tobacco and armaments, as well as unhealthy practices?</li> <li class="show">Advertisements/sponsorships should not conflict with the South African Code of Ethics for the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The updated code will be used as soon as it is formally released.</li> <li class="show">The Journal will accept advertisements for infant-feeds, which are therapeutic in nature, for example lactose free feeds, breast milk fortifiers, hypo-allergic feeds and feeds designed for tube feeding. Any such advertisements shall include a phrase that normally exclusive breast milk feeding is the best food for babies.</li> <li class="show">There shall be full disclosure at all times of funding sources</li> <li class="show">The decision to reject an advertisement / sponsorship rests with the Editorial Board and should be recorded, so that further investigations can be conducted if required</li> <li class="show">Non-designated support will be accepted from interested organisations and shall be acknowledged in the Journal</li> <li class="show">The allocated editorial space for advertisements should not normally exceed 40% of the total editorial space in any one issue of the Journal; however, the costs of publication of the Journal should always be borne in mind in any one given situation</li> <li class="show">The Editor, in consultation with the Editorial Board as appropriate, will be responsible for the final acceptance of any advertorial material</li> </ul> </ol> <p>Other websites related to this journal:<br>NISC <a href="https://www.nisc.co.za/products/77/journals/south-african-journal-of-clinical-nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nisc.co.za/products/77/journals/south-african-journal-of-clinical-nutrition&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1684568969944000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2GsR7m5wTo6_bDIrFD3goH">https://www.nisc.co.za/<wbr>products/77/journals/south-<wbr>african-journal-of-clinical-<wbr>nutrition</a><br>T&amp;F <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ojcn20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ojcn20&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1684568969944000&amp;usg=AOvVaw16BF1kchMr8VCJE98Bl9Kt">https://www.tandfonline.com/<wbr>journals/ojcn20</a><br>SAJCN website <a href="http://www.sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1684568969944000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2d88QwEyiZWfXx_CYQVUAl">http://www.sajcn.co.za/index.<wbr>php/SAJCN</a>)</p> <p>The <em>South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition</em> (SAJCN) is also Accredited with the <strong>DHET (SAPSE)</strong> and now on the <strong>DOAJ</strong>.</p> en-US <p>Material submitted for publication in the South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition (SAJCN) is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. Copyright forms will be sent with acknowledgement of receipt and the SAJCN reserves copyright of the material published.</p><p>The SAJCN does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.</p> publishing@nisc.co.za (Publishing Manager) journals@nisc.co.za (Editorial Office) Thu, 29 May 2025 14:40:28 +0000 OJS 3.3.0.11 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296893 <p>Hospital malnutrition, particularly disease-related malnutrition (DRM), is a significant public health concern associated with increased morbidity, mortality and costs. The recent Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) proposed a framework to globally standardise the diagnosis of adult malnutrition (undernutrition), allowing comparison of malnutrition prevalence across clinical and geographical settings and over time. Despite substantial global progress in using screening and diagnostic tools to identify malnourished patients, some countries and institutions lag behind, particularly in relation to malnutrition screening. This is especially of concern in low- and middle-income countries, including South Africa, where socioeconomic factors can exacerbate the occurrence of DRM. From a human rights perspective, the lack of malnutrition screening and diagnosis followed by appropriate nutritional support denies patients their fundamental right to access adequate food, nutritional care and health. This opinion paper highlights the magnitude of DRM and addresses current challenges in identifying DRM within resource-limited healthcare settings, specifically in the South African public health sector. Framing malnutrition as a human rights and ethical issue, it underscores the urgent need for timely and equitable nutritional care and proposes strategies to improve identification practices. Challenges identified comprise inadequate<br>resources and institutional factors. Collaboration between key stakeholders, including the South African National Department of Health (including representatives from the National Health Insurance), policy-makers, medical aids, researchers and professional societies is needed to identify the most feasible malnutrition screening and diagnostic tools for constrained settings, together with a widespread coordinated implementation strategy. Prioritising nutrition as part of the holistic management of all patients will help safeguard against DRM and the associated adverse effects.</p> E. Van Tonder, F.A.M. Wenhold, R. Blaauw Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296893 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296907 <p>No abstract</p> M.L. Bradfield, N. Grabowski, V. Kotze Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296907 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296912 <p>No abstract</p> Publishing Manager Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296912 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296915 <p>No abstract</p> Publishing Manager Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296915 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296918 <p>No abstract</p> Publishing Manager Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296918 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296920 <p>No abstract</p> Publishing Manager Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296920 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296921 <p>No Abstract</p> Publishing Manager Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296921 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296923 <p>No Abstract</p> Elizabeth Kempen Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296923 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296895 <p><strong>Background</strong>: Although infant and young child feeding (IYCF) recommendations are widely accepted in South Africa, inappropriate IYCF practices still exist, leading to malnutrition in children.<br><strong>Objective:</strong> To investigate the IYCF practices of caregivers in Copesville, Pietermaritzburg (PMB).<br><strong>Design:</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted.<br><strong>Setting:</strong> Masons Clinic, Copesville, PMB.<br><strong>Subjects:</strong> Two-hundred and fifty caregivers older than 18 years of age caring for a 6–24-month-old child at the time of the study.<br><strong>Outcome measures:</strong> A face-to-face questionnaire was developed using recent, relevant literature and was validated for the study.<br><strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of the caregivers was 32.25 (10.42) years. About 96% (n = 239) of infants were ever breastfed. The mean age at which breastfeeding was stopped was 5.9 ± 4.3 months. Mothers who were still breastfeeding planned to continue breastfeeding for a mean duration of 12.6 ± 5.6 months. About 60% (n = 149) of infants were started on solids at the appropriate age of 6 months. Lennon Entressdruppels (16.9%; n = 14), sugar water (15.7%; n = 13) and fruit and vegetables (13.3%; n = 11) were fed before the age of six months. Forty-nine caregivers (19.6%) consulted a traditional healer regarding IYCF. Non-edible items fed to cleanse the stomach included toothpaste and polish (5.6%; n = 8) and disinfectant solution (1.7%; n = 1).<br><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Caregivers should be educated on the benefits of continued breastfeeding until two years or beyond and the importance of starting solids at the appropriate age of six months. The potential dangers to the health of infants of feeding non-edible items should also be highlighted.&nbsp;<br><br></p> Thobani Mzobe, Kirthee Pillay Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296895 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296896 <p><strong>Background:</strong> Despite the increasing prevalence of body image dissatisfaction (BID), the effect of social media on body image (BI) among undergraduates, and the prohibitive cost of traditional health education interventions, little is known about the effectiveness of online lifestyle interventions to address BI, body mass index (BMI) and disordered eating (DE).<br><strong>Objectives:</strong> This study aimed to assess the effect of an online nutrition and lifestyle intervention programme on BI, BMI, and DE among female undergraduate students in Lagos.<br><strong>Methods:</strong> A quasi-experimental study involving intervention and control groups was undertaken. A total of 1 182 students (590 students from intervention and 592 from control) responded to follow-up out of 2 015 who completed the pre-intervention survey. Data were collected using pre-tested semi-structured self-administered questionnaires. Pulver’s Figure Rating Scale was used to determine BID. BMI was calculated following standard procedures. DE was assessed using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). The intervention programme was implemented through online learning and social media for 12 weeks. SPSS (version 25) was used for analysis. The association between variables was determined using chi-square while the level of significance was set at p = &lt; 0.05.<br><strong>Results:</strong> The intervention reduced BID, BMI and DE among the intervention group significantly (p &lt; 0.05) compared with the control group. Although the highest proportion of students with BID was among the overweight/obese, many students who were normal weight (49.2%) or underweight (47.3%) were dissatisfied.<br><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Online nutrition and lifestyle education could effectively reduce BI, BMI and DE among female undergraduate students in Lagos, Nigeria.</p> Foluke Adenike Olatonaa, Annette Van Onselen, Unathi Kolanisic Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296896 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296901 <p><strong>Aims:</strong> Enteral and parenteral nutrition support (NS) improves clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, yet evidence from a needs assessment indicates that Ghanaian clinical nutrition practitioners (CNPs) have low self-efficacy in administering NS, especially parenteral nutrition. This study aimed to assess changes in knowledge and self-efficacy of Ghanaian CNPs on enteral and parenteral NS following a continuous professional development (CPD) workshop.<br><strong>Methods:</strong> A one-group pre-test/post-test study was used. Remote workshops curated in July 2022 and designed to meet predetermined needs were delivered over two days by registered dietitians and certified nutrition support clinicians. CNPs’ self-efficacy was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Practical knowledge was assessed using 7 short case scenarios for indications of enteral and parenteral NS, and open-ended questions were used to request additional qualitative information concerning self-efficacy scores. Paired-sample t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-survey scores, and qualitative data were thematized.<br><strong>Results:</strong> Fifty-two participants completed both surveys. There were statistically significant increases in self-efficacy for enteral and parenteral NS delivery, including: assessing indications for enteral nutrition (EN) (d = 0.62 CI 0.30, 0.94); writing EN prescriptions (d = 0.71 CI 0.38, 1.04) and determining micronutrient additives for parenteral nutrition (PN) (d = 1.07 CI 0.70, 1.44) as well as increases in knowledge based on the practical case studies (d = 0.29 CI 0.01, 0.57). In-depth understanding of EN and PN guidelines and feelings of empowerment were identified as reasons for increased self-efficacy and practical knowledge.<br><strong>Conclusion:</strong> CPD workshops are a good first step to bridge gaps in the delivery of NS by Ghanaian CNPs; however, additional practical training modules are needed to improve practitioners’ competencies in the delivery of NS.</p> Ruthfirst EA Ayandea, Percival D Agordohc, Vanessa J. Salinoa, Clarisa Webster-Ariyana, Lindsay Colliera, Matilda Asante, Elena T Carbone Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296901 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296903 <p><strong>Objective:</strong> To determine the proportion of commercially available beverages that may require warning labels for high sugar content and the presence of artificial sweeteners in South Africa.<br><strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional study analysed 603 non-alcoholic beverages (juices, soft drinks and energy drinks), identified from the top South African supermarkets (based on market share) with shopping websites. Data were collected from May to July 2024, and included ingredient lists and nutritional information per 100 ml. Products requiring warning labels for high sugar content and artificial sweeteners were identified based on the recently proposed labelling regulations (R. 3337).<br><strong>Results:</strong> 21.4% of all beverages required a warning label for high sugar content, 49.8% for artificial sweeteners, and 58.7% for at least one of these criteria. Juices, despite having the highest energy (160 kJ/100 ml), glycaemic carbohydrates (9%) and sugar content (8.4%) compared with soft and energy drinks, were least likely to need warning labels for high sugar or artificial sweeteners (30% vs. 94.1% for soft drinks and 96.9% for energy drinks).<br><strong>Conclusions:</strong> More than half of South African beverages are expected to require warning labels due to high sugar content and/or artificial sweeteners. The proposed regulations are likely to favour juices, which, despite their high sugar content, are less likely to require warning labels because the sugar is naturally occurring rather than added. Recommendations: The South African government should include beverages with high natural sugar levels, like juices, in warning label criteria. This would ensure that consumers are adequately informed about the sugar content in all types of<br>beverages.</p> Wantonda Mukhovha, Naledi Sibiya, Thanujj Kisten, Molatela K. Mamabolo, Siphiwe N. Dlamini Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296903 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296904 <p>South Africa’s nutrition transition, driven by a complex interplay of socio-ecological factors, has led to rapidly rising rates of overweight, obesity and non-communicable diseases. While quantitative methods offer important insights, they cannot fully capture these multifaceted issues. Qualitative descriptive research, rooted in naturalistic inquiry, provides both exploratory and explanatory value with procedural simplicity in illuminating the complexities of human nutrition and holistic health in South Africa, guiding the development of more effective and culturally sensitive interventions and policies. Recommendations are offered for future research using qualitative descriptive methods to enhance our understanding of the nutrition transition and its broader health implications.</p> Cornelia Potteriea, Herculina S. Kruger, Mieke Faber, Hannah Riccia Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/view/296904 Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000