Peanuts-Based Ready To Use Supplementary Food Case Study

1. The authors chose to conduct this research study to evaluate the effects of peanuts-based ready-to-use supplementary food with soy protein versus a novel RUSF containing dairy ingredients in the form of whey permeate and whey protein concentrate in the treatment of children with moderate acute malnutrition. Although, the popular opinions and studies suggest that dairy protein as opposed to plant-based protein, increases lean body mass, accelerates linear growth, and improves recovery outcomes in undernourished populations, the evidence to support the use of whey in supplementary foods for malnourished children is still limited.
2. The scientific question being addressed is which types of protein, the peanuts-based ready to use supplementary
Table 4 on page 930 were the outcomes of children treated for MAM during 12-wk study period. The result shown on the table is consistent in demonstrating the great performance of dairy protein in the treatment of acute malnutrition. The Novel Food for Modern Malnutrition graph on page 931 shows the percentage recovered of soy versus whey RUSF for the number of follow-up visits. It shows the difference of how much greater of achieving a mi upper arm circumference of 12.5 cm or bigger without edema with whey RUSF than soy RUSF. Although both soy and whey RUSF recovery were positive, whey protein had a greater number of recovery with the percent of 83.9% while soy had a percent of 80.5%. The table also shown that soy RUSF had a greater number of children who did not recover than those who used whey RUSF. Overall, the both results had confirmed with statistical data from follow up to final visit that whey RUSF had a greater impact for treating children with MAM than soy
Although the RUSF containing dairy ingredients was more effective, but costlier, as a head of the cash-strapped Ministry of Health in Malawi, I would consider both choices. First, for those children with severe malnutrition I would recommend using whey RUSF. However, as the children progressed and gets healthier while budget gradually decreased, I would consider changing it to soy RUSF which allows us to have a saving aside for future purchase of whey RUSF in the future.
9. The whey RUSF supplement provided less total protein and energy than the soy RUSF would be considered a limitation of the study because it does not provide as an evidence that can prove the result the experiment where there are more children recovered from MAM with whey RUSF than those with soy RUSF. This also raise the awareness and questions what exactly the main factor in the whey RUSF supplement that is different and greater than the soy RUSF.
10. Some possible future experiments and research areas related to this topic is the research of how calcium can also play an important factor in measurement of mid-upper arm circumference and growth. This is an important research and experiment to conduct because it will allow many students and researcher a better knowledge of how calcium plays an important role to strengthens bone and muscle