Presentation by WorldFish scientist Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted at World Aquaculture 2015 in Jeju Island, South Korea.

1. How can Aquaculture
Contribute to Healthy
Diets of the Poor?
Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted
Senior Nutrition Scientist
WorldFish

2. 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

3. Healthy Diet: Korea
Food Balance Wheels

4. Healthy Diet: Mediterranean

5. Healthy Diet: Trinidad and Tobago

6. Healthy Diet: Denmark

7. 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

8. 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 group
Criterion used: probability of meeting recommended micronutrient intakes

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Contribution of selected fish species to iron, zinc and
calcium recommended intakes (RNIs) for pregnant and
lactating women (PLWs) and infants
Zinc
Small indigenous fish species
Common aquaculture species
% contribution to daily RNI

13. Contribution of selected fish species to iron, zinc and
calcium recommended intakes (RNIs) for pregnant and
lactating women (PLWs) and infants
Calcium
% contribution to daily RNI
Common aquaculture species
Small indigenous fish species

14. Contribution of selected fish species to vitamin B 12
recommended intake (RNI) for pregnant and lactating
women (PLW) and infants
Small indigenous fish species
Common aquaculture species
% contribution to daily RNI

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Development of Fish-based Products for
1,000 Days
Complementary food Fish powderFish chutney

22. Not just Large-Scale Aquaculture and
Monoculture
Small-scale Food systems approach

23. 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

24. 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)

25. Engaging Women in Aquaculture and Beyond

26. Thank You