How can aquaculture contribute to healthy diets of the poor?

How can Aquaculture Contribute to Healthy Diets of the Poor?

Shakuntala Haraksingh ThilstedSenior Nutrition ScientistWorldFish

Overview

Healthy diets

•High dietary diversity: Large variety of foods and food groups

•High nutritional quality: vitamins, minerals, essential fats

•Safe: no contaminants

•Emphasis on the first 1,000 days of life (pregnant and lactating woman and child up to second birthday)

Based on the above characteristics:

•Considerations and recommendations for the aquaculture sector

Healthy Diet: Korea

Food Balance Wheels

Healthy Diet: Mediterranean

Healthy Diet: Trinidad and Tobago

Healthy Diet: Denmark

Underlying Characteristics of a Healthy Diet – especially for the poor

Includes foods which are:

•Locally produced

•Culturally acceptable - taste, texture, colour, flavour

•Affordable

•High nutritional quality

•Safe

•Year-round access

Minimum Dietary Diversity Indicator for Women

Global recommendations based on food groups:

Usual diets should contain ≥ 6 of 10 food groups; ≥ 15 g/d of each food groupCriterion used: probability of meeting recommended micronutrient intakes

Minimum Dietary Requirement for Children

Global recommendations based on food groups:Children 6-23 months of age should consume ≥ 4 or more of 7 food groups: •Grains, roots & tubers•Legumes & nuts•Dairy products•Flesh foods•Eggs•Vitamin A-rich fruit and vegetables•Other fruit and vegetables•Criterion used: probability of meeting recommended micronutrient intakes•No recommendation for serving size

Fish and Other Aquatic Animals: Rich in Several Essential Micronutrients

• Vitamin A (animal-source foods have the only preformed source, retinol; fish also has vitamin A2 - dehydroretinol)

• Vitamin B12 (animal-source foods are the only dietary source)

• Riboflavin• Vitamin D (animal-source foods are the only

dietary source)• Vitamin E• Available iron (animal-source foods are the

only dietary source of haem iron)• Available zinc, calcium, phosphorus

Iron

% contribution to daily RNI

Common aquaculture species

Small indigenous fish species

Contribution of selected fish species to iron, zinc and calcium recommended intakes (RNIs) for pregnant and lactating women (PLWs) and infants


Zinc





Calcium




Contribution of selected fish species to vitamin B 12 recommended intake (RNI) for pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and infants




Contribution to daily DHA (essential fatty acid (docosahexaenoic acid) requirement from a standard serve of fish for pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and infants

Why does diversity of species matter for a healthy diet?

Greater number of fish species, OAAs and algae:

•Varied preparation forms for different combinations of dishes, meals and snacks for different occasions

•Meets the preferences of more people

•Increases frequency and quantity of consumption

•Increases season of consumption

•Increases the possibility of covering multiple nutrient needs

Why does size of species matter for a healthy diet?

What does small size mean for the poor?

•Available in local markets

•Affordable: Small quantities can be bought

Can buy at a low cost

•Can be cooked in a mixed dish and therefore easy to share among all household members

Aquaculture for Healthy Diets of the Poor - Considerations

Diversity of species •Other aquatic animals•Aquatic plants - algae

Diversity of size

Selection of species•Fast-and essential fats

Genetic selection and modification•growing•Can breed, ensuring a stable supply and “year-round” access•High nutrient density - micronutrients

Feeding and Management in Aquaculture to Improve Nutritional Quality

Use and timing of different feeds to increase nutrient content

•Plant-based, e.g. algae

•Insects

•Fish-based

Essential fats

Minerals, e.g. selenium

Vitamins

Why Fish-based Products for the 1,000 Days?

Address:

•High nutrient density

•Ease of preparation

•Ready to use

•Easy storage

Result in:

•Growth and development

of the foetus and infant

•Brain development and cognition

•School and work performance

Development of Fish-based Products for 1,000 Days

Complementary food Fish powder Fish chutney

Not just Large-Scale Aquaculture and Monoculture

Small-scale Food systems approach

Beyond Production and Productivity in Aquaculture – Towards a Healthy Diet for the Poor

• Minimising waste and loss reduce non-edible parts (perhaps the most micronutrient-rich)

• Preservation for stable access• Processing - to develop desirable, affordable, micronutrient-rich

fish-based products

Beyond Production and Productivity in Aquaculture – Towards a Healthy Diet for the Poor

Innovative Partnerships

•Analysis of nutrient composition - just not protein

•Analysis of food safety

•Engaging with other sectors: e.g. Nutrition and Health

•Awareness raising, education and behaviour change: schools, youths

•Engaging in developing and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Engaging Women in Aquaculture and Beyond

Thank You

Education

How can aquaculture contribute to healthy diets of the poor?