Development of high protein noodle from soy bean for Thailand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology in Food Technology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract

The World Problem of Protein Malnutrition Protein malnutrition is the major nutritional problem in the world. Protein-calorie deficiency occurs at all ages but the effects of it are greater in infants and young children. It is often called "Kwashiorkor" in which protein deficiency predominates with the absence of serious calorie deficiency, whereas "marasmus" is referred to as severe malnutrition caused by both calorie and protein deficiency (Altschul, 1965). Childhood malnutrition causes both retardation of physical growth and mental development. F.A.O. (1965) reported that apart from the effect on growth, mild or moderate protein deficiency renders infants and young children particularly susceptible to respiratory and gastro-intestinal infections. The incidence of such disease is much higher in malnourished than in well-nourished children; mortality in the age groups 1 to 4 years is 20 to 50 times higher in the developing than in the developed countries and it is probable that the difference is due in large part to malnutrition. Besides this, among people with low incomes in developing countries there is a high prevalence of weanling diarrhoea, because of the combined effect of poor hygiene and protein deficiency. [From Introduction]