scholarly journals A Behavioral Intervention Increases Consumption of a New Biofortified Food by School Children: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Just ◽  
Julius J. Okello ◽  
Gnel Gabrielyan ◽  
Souleimane Adekambi ◽  
Norman Kwikiriza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Field Experiment ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiency ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Behavioral Techniques ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
Development Outcomes

AbstractChildren’s diets can have major implications for a wide range of diseases and their development outcomes. In Africa, micronutrient deficiency remains a major challenge and affects the health and development of vulnerable populations, especially children. A major effort to combat micronutrient deficiency has targeted biofortification of staple foods, with greatest potential being registered in the enrichment of, among others, sweetpotato with beta carotene—a precursor for vitamin A. However, overcoming vitamin A deficiency is made all the more complicated by children’s general resistance to unfamiliar foods. We report the results of a field experiment in Nigerian schools designed to use behavioral techniques to promote consumption of an unfamiliar food: the pro-vitamin A rich orange-fleshed sweetpotato. We find that children eat more, on average, when the sweetpotato is introduced alongside behavioral nudges such as songs or association with aspirational figures. These results appear to conform to results found in a developed country context.

scholarly journals Combatting Vitamin A deficiency

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted H Greiner
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Sweet Potatoes ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Wide Range

Food-based approaches to combat vitamin A deficiency (VAD) continue to be largely ignored by governments and donor agencies. This review deals with common misperceptions as well as constraints that may lay behind this reality. First, high-dose vitamin A capsules provided to preschool age children are no solution for VAD. Second, researchers may assume that it is not possible to standardize foods adequately to study their efficacy in controlled trials. This review summarizes the results of 57 such trials, providing an overview that may assist researchers in making decisions on target groups to study, types of food supplements to provide, quantities, supplementation periods, impacts that are realistic to expect, and sample sizes. Even more complex is to design efficacy trials or impact evaluations of interventions. Again, the paper reviews 40 such trials, providing summary information on approaches, target groups, sample sizes, periods of intervention, and impacts measured using a variety of indicators. There are a number of barriers or constraints that must be planned for and overcome if food-based approaches are to work. This paper reviews several of the most important ones, briefly touching on many of the most effective ways that have been found to overcome them. Food-based approaches can reach all members of the community, are safe for pregnant women, tend to be at least partially sustainable, and confer a wide range of nutritional and other benefits in addition to improving vitamin A status. Food-based approaches are sometimes described as expensive, but this is based on a narrow view. For example, biofortification and dissemination of sweet potatoes cost $9 to $30 per disability-life-year (DALY) gained, while that from VAS was estimated at the estimated cost effectiveness of VAS is $73 per DALY gained. From the community point of view, the economic benefits of food based approaches are likely to subsidize or outweigh their costs.

scholarly journals Vitamin A Deficiency and the Lung

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquín Timoneda ◽  
Lucía Rodríguez-Fernández ◽  
Rosa Zaragozá ◽  
M. Marín ◽  
M. Cabezuelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cell Junction ◽  
Normal Lung ◽  
Lung Physiology ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Differentiation And Proliferation

Vitamin A (all-trans-retinol) is a fat-soluble micronutrient which together with its natural derivatives and synthetic analogues constitutes the group of retinoids. They are involved in a wide range of physiological processes such as embryonic development, vision, immunity and cellular differentiation and proliferation. Retinoic acid (RA) is the main active form of vitamin A and multiple genes respond to RA signalling through transcriptional and non-transcriptional mechanisms. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a remarkable public health problem. An adequate vitamin A intake is required in early lung development, alveolar formation, tissue maintenance and regeneration. In fact, chronic VAD has been associated with histopathological changes in the pulmonary epithelial lining that disrupt the normal lung physiology predisposing to severe tissue dysfunction and respiratory diseases. In addition, there are important alterations of the structure and composition of extracellular matrix with thickening of the alveolar basement membrane and ectopic deposition of collagen I. In this review, we show our recent findings on the modification of cell-junction proteins in VAD lungs, summarize up-to-date information related to the effects of chronic VAD in the impairment of lung physiology and pulmonary disease which represent a major global health problem and provide an overview of possible pathways involved.

scholarly journals Monitoring Maternal Beta Carotene and Retinol Consumption May Decrease the Incidence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Offspring

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. CMRH.S8372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel S. Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
Behavioral Teratogen ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Retinoic acids (13-cis and 13-trans) are known teratogens, and their precursor is retinol, a form of vitamin A. In 1995, Rothman et al demonstrated an association between excessive vitamin A, > 10,000 IU/day, during the first trimester of pregnancy and teratogenic effects, particularly in the central nervous system. However, vitamin A deficiency has long been known to be deleterious to the mother and fetus. Therefore, there may be a narrow therapeutic ratio for vitamin A during pregnancy that has not previously been fully appreciated. Neurodevelopmental disorders may not be apparent by macroscopic brain examination or imaging, and proving the existence of a behavioral teratogen is not straightforward. However, an excess of retinoic acid and some neurodevelopmental disorders are both associated with abnormalities in cerebellar morphology. Physical and chemical evidence strongly supports the notion that beta carotene crosses the placenta and is metabolized to retinol. Only very limited amounts of beta carotene are stored in fetal fat cells as evidenced by the fact that maternal fat is yellow from beta carotene, whereas non-brown neonatal fat is white. Furthermore, newborns of carotenemic mothers do not share the yellow complexion of their mothers. The excess 13-trans retinoic acid derived from metabolized beta carotene in the fetus increases the concentration of the more teratogenic 13-cis retinoic acid since the isomerization equilibrium is shifted to the left. Therefore, this paper proposes that consideration be given to monitoring all potential sources of fetal 13-cis and 13-trans retinoic acid, including nutritional supplements, dietary retinol, and beta carotene, particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy.

scholarly journals Exploration of Locally Grown Yellow and Green Pumpkin as a Potential Source of b-Carotene and Vitamin A

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-241
Author(s):  
Naseem Zahra ◽  
Alim-un- Nisa ◽  
Sajila Hina ◽  
Shahid Masood ◽  
Imran Kalim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
The People ◽  
Anti Oxidant ◽  
Radical Content

Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene which is used for preventing vitamin A deficiency. About 50 of carotenoids are the "Provitamin A compounds" which are precursors of retinol. Retinol is the active form of vitamin A. It plays an important role in vision. Beta carotene is an important anti-oxidant which protects the damaging of body cells by high free radical content because of its radical scavenging activity. The purpose of this study was to quantify the beta carotene and vitamin A present in yellow and green pumpkins. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze beta carotene and vitamin Yellow pumpkin contained the highest values of both the �-carotene and vitamin A than green pumpkin. The results illustrated that green pumpkin (Curcurbita pepo) possess 20.3µg/g beta carotene; 52.6µg/g vitamin A and yellow pumpkin (Curcurbita maxima) contains 35.7µg/g beta carotene and 60.2 µg/g vitamin A in their pulp. It was concluded that there is a need to promote the use of locally available sources of carotene and retinol to overcome nutrition deficiency in the people.

scholarly journals Diallel Analysis of Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] Genotypes for Combined Beta Carotene and Dry Matter Content in Southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
M. S. Afolabi ◽  
O. B. Bello ◽  
G. O. Agbowuro ◽  
C. O. Aremu ◽  
M. O. Akoroda
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Ipomoea Batatas ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Quality Trait ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Β Carotene

Roots of orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties currently available in Nigeria contain high quantities of β-carotene or pro-vitamin A but have high moisture content. These varieties have been found to be a cheap and crucially important remedy for vitamin A deficiency. The cream or white-fleshed varieties, on the other hand, have a sweet taste with high dry matter content, giving a dry texture, a quality trait preferred in Nigeria. Development of sweet potato genotypes that can combine these two important quality traits is the objective of this breeding work. A diallel experiment using six parental sweet potato genotypes crossed in all possible combinations were carried out and thirty progenies were evaluated for beta carotene (β-carotene) and dry matter content in Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria. The 30 F1 progenies along with their parental lines were planted in the same field trial. The trial was laid out in 6 x 6 triple lattice in two replications. Highly significant (P≤ 0.01) differences were observed among the genotypes for the traits. The average β-carotene content among the progenies was 2.86 (mg/100g.f.w) while the dry matter cttgontent had a mean value of 31.89%. The cross progenies 199024.2 x Excel had the highest beta carotene (14.37mg/100g.f.w) content with the highest dry matter content (40.10%) and are therefore recommended for further evaluation.

scholarly journals Comparisons among Equations Used for Retinol Isotope Dilution in the Assessment of Total Body Stores and Total Liver Reserves

2015 ◽  
Vol 145 (5) ◽  
pp. 847-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan M Gannon ◽  
Sherry A Tanumihardjo
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Isotope Dilution ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Storage Site ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Hypervitaminosis A ◽  
Major Drawback ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Vitamin A plays an essential role in animal biology and has negative effects associated with both hypo- and hypervitaminosis A. Many notable interventions are being done globally to eliminate vitamin A deficiency, including supplementation, fortification, and biofortification. At the same time, it is important to monitor vitamin A status in nations where preformed vitamin A intake is high because of consumption of animal source foods (e.g., liver, dairy, eggs), fortified foods (e.g., milk, cereals, oil, sugar, margarine), or vitamin supplements (e.g., one-a-day multivitamins) to ensure the population does not reach hypervitaminosis A. To accurately assess population status and evaluate interventions aimed at improving vitamin A status, accurate assessment methods are needed. The primary storage site of vitamin A is the liver; however, routinely obtaining liver samples from humans is impractical and unethical. Isotope dilution using deuterium- or 13C-labeled retinol is currently the most sensitive indirect biomarker of vitamin A status across a wide range of liver reserves. The major drawback to its application is the increased technicality in sample analysis and data calculations when compared to less sensitive methodology, such as serum retinol concentrations and dose response tests. Two main equations have emerged for calculating vitamin A body pool size or liver concentrations from isotope dilution data: the “Olson equation” and the “mass balance equation.” Different applications of these equations can lead to confusion and lack of consistency if the underlying principles and assumptions used are not clarified. The purpose of this focused review is to describe the evolution of the equations used in retinol stable-isotope work and the assumptions appropriate to different applications of the test. Ultimately, the 2 main equations are shown to be fundamentally the same and differ only in assumptions made for each specific research application.

Provitamin A Carotenoid Bioavailability:What Really Matters?

2010 ◽  
Vol 80 (45) ◽  
pp. 336-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry A. Tanumihardjo ◽  
Natalia Palacios ◽  
Kevin V. Pixley
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Provitamin A Carotenoids ◽  
Micronutrient Malnutrition ◽  
Staple Foods ◽  
Key Steps ◽  
Local Agencies

Micronutrient malnutrition, or “hidden hunger,” afflicts a large part of the world’s population, with vitamin A deficiency among the most prevalent public health problems. Provitamin A carotenoids in plant foods are a source of vitamin A for humans; however, several factors, including species of carotenoids, host status, and effectors of absorption can negatively, positively, or in yet undetermined ways affect the bioavailability of these compounds. Staple foods biofortified with provitamin A carotenoids have shown more efficient bioconversion to retinol than generally observed for vegetables (e. g., 3 - 6 versus 10 - 80 beta-carotene to 1 µg retinol). Staple foods such as maize, rice, and cassava, are generally more accessible than meat or vegetable sources of retinol or provitamin A carotenoids to poor consumers, who are most likely to suffer micronutrient malnutrition. Interdisciplinary teamwork, including plant breeders, nutritionists, government and local agencies, seed companies, and communities, is needed to avail biofortified crops to needy populations. Key steps include developing, validating the nutritional effects of, providing nutrition education concerning, and promoting the use of biofortified crops. Provitamin A carotenoid biofortification of sweet potato, maize, cassava, and rice are at different stages along this continuum. Close linkages between agriculture, nutrition, and health, are essential in the quest to eradicate hunger among the poor.

Vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia in children of a developed country

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 699-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mimi Chiu ◽  
Alexander Dillon ◽  
Stephanie Watson
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Developed Country
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document