SEANUTS: the nutritional status and dietary intakes of 0.5–12-year-old Thai children

In the present study, we investigated nutritional status and health-related factors in a multistage cluster sample of 3119 Thai urban and rural children aged 0·5–12·9 years. In a subsample, blood samples were collected for the measurement of Hb, transferrin receptor, vitamin A and vitamin D concentrations. The prevalence of stunting and underweight was higher in rural children than in urban children, whereas the wasting rate was similar in both rural and urban areas. Among children aged 3·0–5·9 years, the prevalence of overweight was significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas and so was the obesity rate in children aged 6·0–12·9 years. Protein intakes of all age groups were relatively high in both the areas. Intakes of Ca, Fe, Zn and vitamin C were significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The prevalence of anaemia in rural areas was twice as high as that in urban areas, particularly in infants and young children. However, the prevalence of Fe-deficiency anaemia was similar in both urban and rural areas. While the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (by serum retinol cut-off < 0·7 μmol/l) seemed to be very low, vitamin A insufficiency (by serum retinol cut-off < 1·05 μmol/l) was more prevalent (29·4–31·7 %) in both the areas. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency ranged between 27·7 and 45·6 % among the children. The present study indicates that the double burden of malnutrition is still a major public health problem in Thailand. Further studies need to explore the associated risk factors for these nutrient deficiencies. Effective strategies and actions are needed to tackle the nutritional problems in Thai children.

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Maternal Vitamin A Deficiency during Pregnancy and Its Relation with Maternal and Neonatal Hemoglobin Concentrations among Poor Egyptian Families

ISRN Pediatrics ◽

10.1155/2013/652148 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. M. Hamdy ◽

M. M. Abdel Aleem ◽

A. A. El-Shazly

Keyword(s):

Vitamin A ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Maternal Serum ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Serum Retinol ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vitamin A Supplementation ◽

Term Newborns

Background. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) during pregnancy represents a major public health problem in developing countries. Anemia is a common consequence of VAD. We aimed to measure serum retinol concentrations of a sample of poor Egyptian mothers and correlate it with their Hb% and cord Hb%. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 200 healthy mothers and their healthy full term newborns. Maternal and cord blood samples were collected for CBC and measurement of serum retinol concentrations. Results. Forty-seven mothers (23.5%) had VAD and 50% were anemic. Mothers with VAD had a significantly lower mean Hb% and a significantly higher frequency of anemia (95.7%) compared to mothers without VAD (35.9%). The relative risk for anemia among mothers with VAD was 2.7 (CI = 2.12–3.3). Newborns of mothers with VAD had a significantly lower mean cord Hb% compared to newborns of mothers without VAD. Maternal serum retinol concentrations were positively correlated with maternal Hb% and cord Hb%. Conclusion. Maternal VAD during pregnancy among poor mothers is associated with maternal anemia and lower Hb% of newborns at birth. Vitamin A supplementation is highly recommended for this vulnerable group.

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Vitamin A status and associated factors in infants attending at Primary Health Care in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia ◽

10.1590/1980-5497201500020016 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 490-502 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lara Lívia Santos da Silva ◽

Maria do Rosário Gondim Peixoto ◽

Maria Claret Costa Monteiro Hadler ◽

Sara Araújo da Silva ◽

Fernanda Cobayashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin A ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Maternal Education ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Serum Retinol ◽

Serum Retinol Concentration ◽

Retinol Concentration

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of vitamin A and associated factors in children assisted in Primary Care Health in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 228 children 12 to 16 months of age. The nutritional status of vitamin A was assessed by serum retinol concentration, determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Multiple linear regression models with hierarchical selection of independent variables were used to evaluate the correlation with serum retinol as the dependent variable. RESULTS: The vitamin A deficiency (retinol < 0,7 μmol/L) was observed in 14,0% of the children. Maternal schooling and hemoglobin concentration were positively correlated with serum retinol concentration, while C-reactive protein showed a negative correlation (R2 = 0,1648). CONCLUSION: The vitamin A deficiency in one-year-old children attended in Basic Health Units in Goiânia configures itself as a moderate public health problem. Actions to promote maternal education, morbidity control and prevention of other micronutrient deficiencies are important for prevention and control of the vitamin A deficiency in this population.

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Dietary Intake and Prevalence of Dental Caries among Five-Year-Old Children in Urban and Rural Areas of Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya

European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences ◽

10.24018/ejfood.2020.2.4.80 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Hillary K. Wakhungu ◽

Gertrude M. Were ◽

Charlotte A. Serrem ◽

Caroline J. Kibosia

Keyword(s):

Dental Caries ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Economic Status ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Caries Prevalence ◽

Urban And Rural Areas

Dental caries is a major public health problem associated with diet and nutrition affecting 60-90% of children globally with the burden in both industrialized and less industrialized countries undergoing nutrition transition. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between the dietary intake and nutritional status on dental caries prevalence of 5-year-old school children in urban and rural areas of Uasin-Gishu County. In this study, 382 five year old children and their parents/caregivers were sampled from urban and rural schools in Uasin-Gishu County to participate in the study. Dental caries status was assessed based on the criteria proposed by WHO for oral health surveys. Structured questionnaires was used to gather information on demographic and socio-economic status. A quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect data on dietary intake. Dietary intake data was analyzed using ENA for SMART computer programmes and the rest of the data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21 (2007). The prevalence of dental caries stood at 39.3% with a mean dft of 1.55 and 60.7% being dental caries free. Children met their nutrient requirements for protein, vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus, but did not meet the requirements for energy, folate, vitamin A, and iron. Many children from urban than rural areas consumed sweets/candies at 33.5% and 15.3% respectively. Children from urban areas (288) had the highest mean dft of 1.83±1.37 while those from rural areas (154) had a mean dft score of 1.16±1.13. This was significantly different (p<0.05). Overweight was higher in the urban population compared to the rural population at 13.64% and 8.96% respectively. The prevalence of underweight was higher in rural areas at 10.7%, stunting at 14.6% and wasting at 6.8%. There is inadequate intake of Energy, Vitamin A and Iron in the diet consumed by the 5-year-old which might be contributing to dental caries prevalence both in the urban and rural areas of Uasin – Gishu County, Kenya. Children should be fed on nutrient rich foods and cariogenic foods should be consumed occasionally.

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Nutritional status of Tunisian adolescents: associated gender, environmental and socio-economic factors

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980008002693 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 1306-1317 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Hajer Aounallah-Skhiri ◽

Habiba Ben Romdhane ◽

Pierre Traissac ◽

Sabrina Eymard-Duvernay ◽

Francis Delpeuch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Cultural Tradition ◽

Cross Sectional

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the nutritional status of Tunisian adolescents and associated factors.DesignA cross-sectional study based on a national stratified random cluster sample.Subjects and methodsIn all, 1295 boys and 1577 girls aged 15–19 years, of whom 28·4 % had already left school. Socio-economic characteristics of the parents, anthropometric measurements, food behaviours and physical activity of the adolescents were recorded during home visits.ResultsPrevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity (WHO/National Center for Health Statistics reference) were, respectively, 8·1 %, 17·4 % and 4·1 % among boys and 1·3 %, 20·7 % and 4·4 % among girls; abdominal obesity was highly prevalent among both sexes. Prevalence of overweight differed by region (from 11·5 % to 22·2 %) and was higher in urban v. rural areas for males (21·7 % v. 10·4 %) but not for females (21·7 % v. 19·2 %). These differences were partially mediated by socio-economic and lifestyle factors for males. For females, influence of cultural factors is hypothesised. In rural areas, overweight was more prevalent among boys of higher economic level households, having a working mother or a sedentary lifestyle; for girls, prevalence increased with the level of education of the mother. In urban areas, prevalence of overweight was related to eating habits: it was higher for boys with irregular snacking habits and for girls skipping daily meals. Urban girls having left school were also more overweight.ConclusionOverweight and abdominal obesity in late adolescence have become a true public health problem in Tunisia with the combined effects of cultural tradition for girls in rural areas, and of rapid economic development for boys and girls in cities.

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Vitamin A deficiency among children younger than 5 y in India: an analysis of national data sets to reflect on the need for vitamin A supplementation

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1093/ajcn/nqaa314 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

G Bhanuprakash Reddy ◽

Raghu Pullakhandam ◽

Santu Ghosh ◽

Naveen K Boiroju ◽

Shalini Tattari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin A ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Sample Survey ◽

Dietary Vitamin ◽

High Dose ◽

Serum Retinol ◽

Indian Children ◽

Vitamin A Supplementation ◽

National Prevalence

ABSTRACT Background Biochemical vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is believed to be a serious public health problem (low serum retinol prevalence >20%) in Indian children, justifying universal high-dose vitamin A supplementation (VAS). Objective To evaluate in Indian children younger than 5 y the risk of biochemical VAD from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey, as well as dietary vitamin A inadequacy and excess over the tolerable upper limit of intake (TUL) from national and subnational surveys, factoring in fortification and VAS. Methods Child serum retinol data, corrected for inflammation, were examined to evaluate national- and state-level prevalence of VAD. Simultaneously, dietary intakes from the National Sample Survey Office and the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau were examined for risk of dietary vitamin A deficiency against its average requirement (AR) derived for Indian children. Theoretical estimates of risk reduction with oil and milk vitamin A fortification were evaluated along with the risk of exceeding the TUL, as well as when combined with intake from VAS. Results The national prevalence of biochemical VAD measured in 9563 children was 15.7% (95% CI: 15.2%, 16.3%), and only 3 states had prevalence significantly >20%. The AR of vitamin A was 198 and 191 µg/d for boys and girls; the risk of dietary inadequacy was ∼70%, which reduced to 25% with oil and milk fortification. Then, the risk of exceeding the TUL was 2% and 1% in 1- to 3-y-old and 4- to 5-y-old children, respectively, but when the VAS dose was added to this intake in a cumulative 6-mo framework, the risk of exceeding the TUL rose to 30% and 8%, respectively. Conclusion The national prevalence of VAD risk is below 20% in Indian children. Because there is risk of excess intake with food fortification and VAS, serious consideration should be given to a targeted approach in place of the universal VAS program in India.

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Community Assessment of Availability, Consumption, and Cultural Acceptability of Food Sources of (PRO)Vitamin A: Toward the Development of a Dietary Intervention among Preschool Children in Rural Burkina Faso

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/156482650502600405 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 356-365 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Constance P. Nana ◽

Inge D. Brouwer ◽

Noel-Marie Zagré ◽

Frans J. Kok ◽

Alfred S. Traoré

Keyword(s):

Vitamin A ◽

Burkina Faso ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Dietary Intervention ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Ethnographic Study ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Food Sources ◽

Green Leafy Vegetables

Background Vitamin A deficiency remains a public health problem in Burkina Faso and elsewhere in the developing world. Dietary diversification is a promising strategy that needs to be explored to strengthen the country's ongoing supplementation program. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify locally available and acceptable (pro)vitamin A–rich foods to be included in a dietary intervention addressing vitamin A deficiency in children aged six months to three years. Methods A food ethnographic study combining recall methods, observation, and focused group discussion was conducted in the dry and rainy seasons. Thirty-five mother–child pairs were randomly selected and included in the study. Results The dietary pattern of children was characterized by low diversity with extremely low energy and vitamin A intake in both seasons. The study identified the availability of numerous (pro)vitamin A–rich foods, but these foods are either not consumed or consumed by few in low amounts and/or in low frequencies. The main constraining factors identified are related to financial accessibility (for liver), seasonal availability (for egg, milk, mango, papaya, and green leafy vegetables), and beliefs related to consumption and preparation (for green leafy vegetables). However, the study also revealed that the study population associated all identified (pro)vitamin A–rich foods with positive attributes such as health, strength, and vitamin richness, which might offer an entry point for designing and implementing dietary interventions. Conclusions Based on the findings of this formative research, intervention strategies with mango and liver are proposed to improve the vitamin A intake and status of children in the rural areas of Burkina Faso.

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Examining the Role of Health Facilities in Supporting Iron Folic Acid Supplementation Adherence Among Women in Malawi (OR25-03-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz051.or25-03-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Rukundo Benedict ◽

Wenjuan Wang ◽

Lindsay Mallick

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Side Effects ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Health System Strengthening ◽

Gps Data ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Iron Folic Acid

Abstract Objectives Maternal anemia is a major public health problem in many low and middle income countries. In Malawi, consumption of iron folic acid supplements (IFA) has remained low and unchanged since 2004, even with the support of national policy and programs. To understand program implementation challenges, our study examined the relationship between the IFA-related health service environment (HSE) during antenatal care (ANC) and women's adherence to IFA supplementation guidelines. Methods Data from the 2015–16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and the 2013–14 Malawi Service Provision Assessment (SPA), both of which collect GPS data of clusters or health facilities, were used. Each DHS cluster was linked to SPA facilities within a specified buffer distance (5 km for urban and 10 km for rural) using GPS data. IFA-related HSE was defined as availability of IFA, observed prescription of IFA, and observed counseling on IFA in health facilities within the buffer. The HSE variables were aggregated to the cluster-level and classified as low, medium, or high. Multilevel logistic regressions, stratified by urban and rural locale, were used to model associations between consumption of IFA and HSE variables controlling for individual-level factors. Results In Malawi 44% of women in urban and 32% in rural areas reported IFA consumption for at least 90 days during their most recent pregnancy. IFA supplements were available in the majority of health facilities (94%) providing ANC. Among clients, 85% received IFA or were given a prescription, 59% were counseled on how to use IFA, and 3% were counseled on side effects. In rural areas, regression models showed that high levels of IFA availability in facilities (OR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.13–3.80) and IFA counseling (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.12–1.78) were associated with IFA consumption. No associations with any HSE variables were observed in urban areas. Conclusions Despite widespread availability and prescription of IFA supplements from health facilities, receipt of counseling was low, particularly for side effects. Findings in rural areas reinforce the importance of health system strengthening to ensure IFA availability and counseling to support IFA consumption during pregnancy. Further research is warranted to investigate factors that affect IFA consumption in urban areas. Funding Sources United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the DHS Program (7200AA18C00083).

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Growth and Nutritional Status of Adolescent School Girls in a Food Insecure Rural Area of Bangladesh: An Anthropometric Perspective

Himalayan Journal of Sociology and Anthropology ◽

10.3126/hjsa.v6i0.10691 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 103-111

Author(s):

Md Azizur Rahman

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

The Body ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Growth Reference ◽

School Girls ◽

Rural Adolescent

The present study explored the growth and nutritional status among rural adolescent school girls of food insecure Berasub district of Pabna district in Bangldesh. The study was carried out in rural adolescent school girls of 21 government approved High schools of Berasu district of Pabna district, Bangladesh. Anthropometric and socio-demographic information from 2196 adolescent girls were collected during 2011-2012 academic session. Height and weight were measured using standard procedure and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. BMI was compared to 2007 WHO growth reference. Height- for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and BMI-for-age (BMIZ) were used to evaluate stunting, underweight and thinness respectively, based on the National Centre of Heath Statistics (NCHS) < - 2 Z score values. Classification of severity of malnutrition was done based on WHO recommendation. Mean BMI-for-age were less than those of 2007 WHO growth reference for girls at all ages. The overall rate of stunting, underweight and thinness was 33.13%, 28.06% and 17.92% respectively. Based on WHO classification of severity of malnutrition, the overall prevalence of stunting was high (30-39%), whereas those of underweight (≥ 30) and thinness (≥ 15) were very high. The study explores that poor health and nutritional status among the adolescents indicating a major public health problem in food insecure rural areas of Bangladesh. An intensive and comprehensive approach is required to improve the nutritional status of rural adolescent girls of Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjsa.v6i0.10691 Himalayan Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.6 2014: 103-111

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Prevalence of ocular signs and subclinical vitamin A deficiency and its determinants among rural pre-school children in India

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s136898001100214x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 568-577 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Avula Laxmaiah ◽

Madhavan K Nair ◽

Nimmathota Arlappa ◽

Pullakhandam Raghu ◽

Nagalla Balakrishna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin A ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Economic Status ◽

Dried Blood Spots ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Serum Retinol ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ocular Signs

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the magnitude and determinants of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and coverage of vitamin A supplementation (VAS) among pre-school children.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study was carried out by adopting a multistage, stratified, random sampling procedure.SettingRural areas of eight states in India.SubjectsPre-school children and their mothers were covered.ResultsA total of 71 591 pre-school children were clinically examined for ocular signs of VAD. Serum retinol concentrations in dried blood spots were assessed in a sub-sample of 3954 children using HPLC. The prevalence of Bitot spots was 0·8 %. The total ocular signs were significantly higher (P < 0·001) among boys (2·6 %) compared with girls (1·9 %) and in older children (3–4 years) compared (P < 0·001) with younger (1–2 years), and were also high in children of labourers, scheduled castes and illiterate mothers. The odds of having Bitot spots was highest in children of scheduled caste (OR = 3·8; 95 % CI 2·9, 5·0), labourers (OR = 2·9; 95 % CI 2·1, 3·9), illiterate mothers (OR = 2·7; 95 % CI 2·2, 2·3) and households without a sanitary latrine (OR = 5·9; 95 % CI 4·0, 8·7). Subclinical VAD (serum retinol level <20 μg/dl) was observed in 62 % of children. This was also relatively high among scheduled caste and scheduled tribe children. The rate of coverage of VAS was 58 %.ConclusionsThe study revealed that VAD is a major nutritional problem and coverage of VAS was poor. The important determinants of VAD were illiteracy, low socio-economic status, occupation and poor sanitation. Strengthening the existing VAS programme and focused attention on dietary diversification are essential for prevention of VAD.

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A Comparison of Vitamin A Status Among Elderly Chinese Population Between 2002 and 2012: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the China National Nutrition and Health Survey

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa067_078 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1851-1851

Author(s):

Rui Wang ◽

Chen Jing ◽

Yichun Hu ◽

Xiaoguang Yang ◽

Lichen Yang

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Health Survey ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

The Elderly ◽

Serum Retinol ◽

Nutrition And Health ◽

Chinese Elderly ◽

Vitamin A Status

Abstract Objectives Vitamin A deficiency is recognized as a major public health nutrition issue in developing countries including China. It is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies, yet vitamin A status of the elderly in China paucity of data since 2002. We sought to evaluate Chinese elderly aged 60 years and above in vitamin A status, and to compare vitamin A insufficiency between year 2002 and 2012. Methods We compared serum retinol concentrations from the China National Nutrition and Health Survey 2002 (CNNHS 2002), with CNNHS data collected during 2010 through 2012 (CNNHS 2010–2012). Complete data were available for 4933 elderly participants in CNNHS 2002 and 5613 elderly participants in CNNHS 2010–2012. Results The mean serum retinol concentration was 1.69 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.68–1.71) μmol/L during CNNHS 2002 and increase to 1.98 (1.96–2.00) μmol/L during CNNHS 2010–2012. Compared with 2002, the vitamin A levels in the elderly across all region, gender and age groups showed an upward trend, with the difference being statistically significant (all P < 0.05). In 2012, the incidence of VAD in the elderly participants was higher than in 2002 (3.39vs1.46) (P < 0.001). However, the incidence of marginal VAD was lower than in 2002 (7.38vs8.62) (P = 0.019). VAD in those being large cities, small and medium-sized cities, rural area, male and female, aged 60–69 or 70–79 were higher than in 2002 (all P < 0.05), poor rural areas was significantly lower than in 2002 (P < 0.001). The prevalence of marginal VAD among the urban elderly in 2012 was higher than in 2002 (P < 0.05), whereas the prevalence was lower than that in 2002 among the rural elderly (P < 0.001). The prevalence of marginal VAD in the male elderly (P < 0.001) and in the 60–69 age group (P = 0.014) were lower than in 2002. Conclusions Our findings showed that vitamin A status among elderly was greatly improved by 10 years, but VAD remains a public health problem in the Chinese elderly population. Therefore, reducing the incidence of VAD is crucial to the health of the elderly in China. In particular, attention needs to be paid to the nutrition and health status of urban and ≥80 year elderly. Funding Sources This research was supported by the Special Fund for Health-scientific Research in the Public Interest (No. 20,120,212) from the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China.

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