Nutrition
Nutrition Research and Post-graduate Training
in Africa for Africa
at
Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University
Mission:
To build scientific capacity in Africa for Africa by training post-graduate nutrition scientists in multi- and trans-disciplinary groups that perform cutting edge research on epidemiological, clinical and basic molecular level.
Current Research Fields and Projects
The group consists of scientists with expertise in various fields working on relevant applied and basic research topics. Some of the current research fields and projects include:
· The Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) Study is a prospective cohort study that will track changing lifestyles, risk factors and non-communicable disease using periodic standardised data collection in urban and rural areas of thirteen countries in transition for 12 years with data collection every 3 years.
· The Transition in Health during Urbanisation of South Africans (THUSA) Study is a cross-sectional epidemiological study that monitors the impact of urbanisation on the health determinants of black South Africans in transition to provide information for appropriate health interventions.
· The THUSABANA Study is a cross-sectional epidemiological study that monitors the nutritional status of children 10-15 years of age in the North West Province of South Africa.
· The THUSAMAMA Study investigates the influence of nutritional status of mothers on birth.
· The Profiles of Obese Women with Insulin Resistance Syndrome (POWIRS) Study aim to assess the health determinants of two groups of urban African and Caucasian women by comparing the lifestyle and risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome of lean, overweight and obese subjects.
· Nuts and the metabolic syndrome: A controlled feeding intervention trial with a randomized controlled study design to investigate the effects of a high walnut diet and a high unsalted cashew nut diet on markers of the metabolic syndrome.
· The Physical Activity in the Young (PLAY) Study is an intervention study that aims to investigate the hypothesis that increased physical activity could help stunted children to store less fat, improve linear and muscle growth and decrease cardiovascular disease risk factors.
· The Bioavailability of Micronutrients using Stable Isotope Technology (BIOMUST) Programme investigates the bioavailability of micronutrients such as iron and beta-carotene conversion in HIV using stable isotope techniques as well as flavonoid bioavailability.
· The Farm Labour And General Health (FLAGH) Study is a multisectorial research and intervention programme in vulnerable farm communities around Potchefstroom.
· Psychological development and nutritional well-being of underprivileged children participating in sports development programmes.
· A multidisciplinary research project carried out in cooperation between Germany, South Africa and Belgium investigates the link between nutrition security, livelihoods and HIV/AIDS among farm worker households in the North West Province, applying a qualitative social research approach.
· The development of a draft South Africa vegetable and fruit consumption policy based on WHO guidelines for the prevention of NCD
· Nutrition and Haemostasis: Several randomised controlled intervention trials have been conducted to investigate the effects of nutrients on haemostasis. The basic research component of this research programme aims to elucidate the role of nutrition in the regulation of the haemostatic system as well as its effects on fibrin network structure.
· The development of new food products from indigenous foods and the investigation of potential health properties of such foods
· Nutrition and lipids: Several randomised controlled intervention trials have been conducted to investigate the effects of food or diets or dietary supplements on lipid profiles.
· Dietary intake methodology, including development and validation of culturally sensitive dietary assessment tools (food frequency questionnaires and portion size aids) are of critical importance in all the research projects because dietary assessment is a considerable challenge. For the THUSA study a culture sensitive quantitative food frequency questionnaire has been developed and validated comprehensively before it was implemented, which contributed substantially to the good quality of the data.
Research expertise and facilities
Facilities:
The group has a ten bed metabolic ward with a large scale food preparation unit, well equipped clinical chemistry and basic science laboratories and access to sophisticated body composition measurement equipment.
Core Competence and Research Expertise:
All five of the senior scientists in the team have been rated by the National Research Foundation recognised as scientists of international repute.
International partnerships & Collaboration:
International post-graduate fellows from Germany, Poland, The Netherlands and students from several African countries have found a home at Potchefstroom.
The team has an extensive national and international network and collaborates with scientists from all over the world.
The research team is strongly committed to developing young leadership in Nutrition in Africa and is the driving force behind the organisation of the annual African Nutrition Leadership Programme.
Funding
The research programme is funded by the North-West University, the National Research Foundation, Medical Research Council, International Foundations, local and international food industries.
Post Graduate Training
Nutrition (Honours, M.Sc. and Ph.D.)
A suitable three-year undergraduate degree is essential for an Honours degree (one year duration) which may lead to a M.Sc. Nutrition degree. The Honours degree consists of formal classes plus a mini-dissertation incorporating a research project.
An M.Sc. Nutrition degree (two year duration) may consist of a dissertation OR a structured course which includes formal classes in Community and Public Health Nutrition, Advanced Nutrition and Sport Nutrition, plus a mini-dissertation incorporating a research project. An M.Sc. degree may lead to a Ph.D.
A Ph.D. degree (three year duration) includes a research project and thesis in a chosen area.
Dietetics (M.Sc. and Ph.D.)
A four year integrated Dietetics degree gives direct access to a M.Sc. Dietetics degree (two year duration), which may lead to a Ph.D degree. The M.Sc. Dietetics degree is presented as a structured course with classes in three of the following selectives: Therapeutic Nutrition, Sport Nutrition, Advanced Nutrition, Community and Public Health Nutrition and Food Service Management, plus a mini-dissertation incorporating a research project in a chosen area.
A Ph.D. degree (three year duration) includes a research project and thesis in a chosen area.
Although full-time study is the preferred choice and leads to maximal scientific growth we try to accommodate part-time students as far as possible.
Enquiries
For more details contact: The Director, School of Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Science, Private Bag X6001, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520. Tel +27 18 2992466, Fax +27 18 2992464, vgeinfo@puk.ac.za
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