Harnessing local traditional knowledge and experiences on production and consumption of fruits and vegetables-based diets to optimize cardiometabolic health and undernutrition in Rwenzori region

Summary

Undernutrition and suboptimal cardiometabolic health (double burden of malnutrition) are highly prevalent in Uganda but nutrition interventions majorly focus on undernutrition. Despite the diversity of nutritious Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables (IFV) in Uganda, intake is low. This project aims to contribute to efforts that reduce the double burden of malnutrition among women of reproductive age, adolescent girls, and young children. This will be achieved by establishing living labs to investigate and document indigenous knowledge and practices related to IFV, co-create and test innovative IFV dishes to scientifically underpin cardiometabolic claims locally ascribed to IFV and promote the adoption of these IFV diets among vulnerable groups through Rikolto and local community-based organizations. Ultimately, the project will train 1 PhD and 3 Masters students in nutrition-related fields to strengthen research capacity at the partner institutions.

Contact us