Browsing by Author "Masanja, Honorati"

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    Association between physical activity, nutritional status and cognitive performance among school children in southern Tanzania
    (Frontiers, 2025-06-10) Mwakalebela, Fahad; Minja, Elihaika; Mwalugelo, Yohana; Killel, Erick; Rajab, Rehema; Mollel, Getrud; Mponzi, Winifrida; Masanja, Honorati; Okumu, Fredros; Lang, Christin; Gerber, Markus; Utzinger, Jürg; Long, Kurt; Kosia, Efraim; Elisaria, Ester; Finda, Marceline
    Background: Physical activity is pivotal in promoting overall health and wellbeing, improving brain function and cognitive performance, and reducing risk of excessive weight and non-communicable diseases. Despite these benefits, physical inactivity among children and adolescents remains a global concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Only few studies have explored the association between physical activity, nutritional status, and cognitive performance in LMICs like Tanzania. This study assessed these associations among school children in a rural setting in southern Tanzania. Methods: Physical activity was assessed using an actigraphy device that assessed 7-day average of physical activity among school children aged 6–13 years. Cognitive performance was assessed via the Flanker task, which assessed the executive domain of cognitive functions, specifically information processing and inhibitory control. Weight was determined using Tanita digital scale, and height was measured using measuring board. A multinomial logistic regression model and a gamma generalized linear model with a log link function were used to examine the association between physical activity, nutritional status, and cognitive performance. Results: Among 678 children who participated in the baseline assessment, 77.9% had normal weight, 14.3% were underweight, 5.5% were overweight, and 2.4% were obese. Most (92.6%) of the children engaged in at least 60 min per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as per WHO recommendations. Children who did not meet the recommended MVPA level were nearly three times more likely to be obese compared to those who did. No statistically significant associations were found between physical activity and cognitive performance, or between nutritional status and cognitive performance. Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of normal weight and adherence to WHO-recommended MVPA levels among school children in southern Tanzania. However, children not meeting MVPA criteria were more likely to be obese, indicating the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy weight. The lack of association between physical activity or nutritional status and cognitive performance, indicates that there may be additional factors that influence cognitive outcomes. Further research is needed to explore these interactions, particularly in rural LMIC settings.
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    Factors influencing the sustainability of homestead vegetable production intervention in Rufiji, Tanzania: A cross-sectional mixed methods study
    (PLOS Global Public Health, 2022-09-20) Mlalama, Killian; Matemu, Athanasia; Kosia, Efraim; Canavan, Chelsey; Bellows, Alexandra; Blakstad, Mia; Noor, , Ramadhani; Kinabo, Joyce; Fawzi, Wafaie; Masanja, Honorati; Mosha, Dominic
    There is growing evidence that home vegetable gardening interventions improve food security and nutrition outcomes at the family level. Sustainability of many of these community interventions remain a challenge. This study assessed factors influencing the sustainability of homestead vegetable production intervention in Rufiji district, Tanzania, one year after the cessation of external support. This was a community based cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A total of 247 randomly selected women from households who participated in the homestead vegetable intervention were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The study held four focus group discussions with women from households that participated in the intervention, and four In-Depth interviews with two extension workers, one community health worker, and one agriculture district officer. Multiple logistic regression for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data was conducted. About 20.24% (50/247) of households sustained homestead vegetable production for one year after the intervention phased out. Shortage of seeds (adjusted odds ratio = 0.65: CI = 0.46–0.93, p-value 0.018) and either manure or fertilizers (adjusted odds ratio = 1.62: CI = 1.04–2.46, p-value 0.031) were significant factors influencing the sustainability of homesteads vegetable production. In the Focus Group discussions (FGDs) and In-Depth Interview (IDIs), all participating women and extension workers reported high cost of water, destruction from free-grazing animals, agriculture pests and diseases, poor soil fertility, shortage of seeds, and lack of capital affected homestead vegetable production sustainability. Existing individual, community, and system challenges influence the sustainability of external-funded agriculture and nutrition interventions. The study findings underscore the importance of community authorities, scientists, and policymakers in having a well-thought sustainability plan in all promising external-funded interventions.