scholarly journals Priority Micronutrient Density of Foods for Complementary Feeding of Young Children (6–23 Months) in South and Southeast Asia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flaminia Ortenzi ◽  
Ty Beal

Background: Given their high nutrient requirements and limited gastric capacity, young children during the complementary feeding period (6–23 months) should be fed nutrient-dense foods. However, complementary feeding diets in low- and middle-income countries are often inadequate in one or more essential micronutrients. In South and Southeast Asia infants' and young children's diets are commonly lacking in iron, zinc, vitamin A, folate, vitamin B12, and calcium, hereafter referred to as priority micronutrients.Objective: This study aimed to identify the top food sources of priority micronutrients among minimally processed foods for complementary feeding of children (6–23 months) in South and Southeast Asia.Methods: An aggregated regional food composition database for South and Southeast Asia was built, and recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) from complementary foods were calculated for children aged 6–23 months. An approach was developed to classify foods into one of four levels of priority micronutrient density based on the calories and grams required to provide one-third (for individual micronutrients) or an average of one-third (for the aggregate score) of RNIs from complementary foods.Results: We found that the top food sources of multiple priority micronutrients are organs, bivalves, crustaceans, fresh fish, goat, canned fish with bones, and eggs, closely followed by beef, lamb/mutton, dark green leafy vegetables, cow milk, yogurt, and cheese, and to a lesser extent, canned fish without bones.Conclusions: This analysis provided insights into which foods to prioritize to fill common micronutrient gaps and reduce undernutrition in children aged 6–23 months in South and Southeast Asia.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flaminia Ortenzi ◽  
Ty Beal

Abstract Background Given their high nutrient requirements and limited gastric capacity, young children during the complementary feeding period (6-23 months) should be fed nutrient-dense foods. However, complementary feeding diets in low- and middle-income countries are often inadequate in one or more essential micronutrients. In South and Southeast Asia infants’ and young children’s diets are commonly lacking in iron, zinc, vitamin A, folate, vitamin B12 and calcium, hereafter referred to as priority micronutrients. Objective This study aimed to identify the top food sources of priority micronutrients, among minimally processed, locally available foods, for complementary feeding of children (6-23 months) in South and Southeast Asia. Methods An aggregated regional food composition database for South and Southeast Asia was built, and recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) from complementary foods were calculated for children aged 6-23 months. An approach was developed to classify foods into one of four levels of priority micronutrient density based on the calories and grams required to provide one-third (for individual micronutrients) or an average of one-third (for the aggregate score) of RNIs from complementary foods. Results We found that the top food sources of multiple priority micronutrients are organs, bivalves, crustaceans, fresh fish, goat, canned fish with bones, and eggs, closely followed by beef, lamb/mutton, dark green leafy vegetables, cow milk, yoghurt, and cheese, and to a lesser extent, canned fish without bones. Conclusions This analysis provided insights into which foods to prioritize to fill common micronutrient gaps and reduce undernutrition in children aged 6-23 months in South and Southeast Asia.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1741-1750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaleab Baye ◽  
Jean-Pierre Guyot ◽  
Christèle Icard-Vernière ◽  
Claire Mouquet-Rivier

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize current feeding practices and to evaluate the adequacy of energy and nutrient intakes of young children in subsistence farming rural households in North Wollo, Ethiopia.DesignA cross-sectional study examining sociodemographic status, anthropometry, breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices using two in-home non-consecutive 24 h recalls.SettingsTwo rural villages in the highlands and lowlands of Gobalafto district, North Wollo.SubjectsSeventy-six young children aged 12–23 months, thirty-nine from the lowlands and thirty-seven from the highlands.ResultsAbout 33 % of the children, ∼46 % in the highlands and 24 % in the lowlands (P = 0·05), were stunted. Complementary diets were low in animal products, fruits and vegetables. Cereals and legumes were the major sources of energy, protein, Ca, Fe, Zn and vitamin A. Legumes with potentially toxic components (grass pea, broad beans) and low nutrient-dense beverages such as tea were frequently consumed. Intakes of energy, Ca, Zn, vitamin A and vitamin C from complementary foods were below WHO recommendations assuming average breast-milk intakes. In contrast, Fe and protein intakes and densities met WHO recommendations. Although vitamin C intakes and densities were higher (P < 0·05) for the lowlands, they remained far below WHO recommendations.ConclusionsInterventions promoting the WHO guiding principles for complementary feeding practices and behaviours that take the agro-ecological contexts into account are needed here. Furthermore, specific recommendations should be formulated to discourage the consumption of grass pea, broad beans and low nutrient-dense beverages such as tea.


2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn G. Dewey ◽  
Kenneth H. Brown

This paper provides an update to the 1998 WHO/UNICEF report on complementary feeding. New research findings are generally consistent with the guidelines in that report, but the adoption of new energy and micronutrient requirements for infants and young children will result in lower recommendations regarding minimum meal frequency and energy density of complementary foods, and will alter the list of “problem nutrients.” Without fortification, the densities of iron, zinc, and vitamin B6 in complementary foods are often inadequate, and the intake of other nutrients may also be low in some populations. Strategies for obtaining the needed amounts of problem nutrients, as well as optimizing breastmilk intake when other foods are added to the diet, are discussed. The impact of complementary feeding interventions on child growth has been variable, which calls attention to the need for more comprehensive programs. A six-step approach to planning, implementing, and evaluating such programs is recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halima S. Twabi ◽  
Samuel O. M. Manda ◽  
Dylan S. Small

Introduction: Appropriate complementary foods have been found to provide infants and young children with nutritional needs for their growth and development. In the absence of a randomized control trial (RCT), this study used observational data to evaluate the effect of appropriate complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children aged 6–23 months in Malawi using a propensity score matching statistical technique.Methods: Data on 4,722 children aged 6 to 23 months from the 2015–16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) were analyzed. Appropriate complementary feeding practices were assessed using the core indicators recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and consist of the introduction of complementary feeding, minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet based on a dietary intake during a most recent 24-h period.Results: The prevalence of stunting (height-for-age z-score &lt; −2 SD) was 31.9% (95% CI: 29.3%, 34.6%), wasting (weight-for-height z-score &lt; −2 SD) 3.5% (95% CI: 2.6%, 4.7%) and underweight (weight-for-age z-score &lt; −2 SD) 9.9% (95% CI: 8.4%, 11.8%). Of the 4,722 children, 7.7% (95% CI: 6.9%, 8.5%) were provided appropriate complementary foods. Appropriate complementary feeding practices were found to result in significant decrease in stunting (OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.95). They also resulted in the decrease of wasting (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1, 1.7) and underweight (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.2, 1.7).Conclusion: Appropriate complementary feeding practices resulted in a reduction of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children 6 to 23 months of age in Malawi. We recommend the continued provision of appropriate complementary foods to infants and young children to ensure that the diet has adequate nutritional needs for their healthy growth.


2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stewart Forsyth ◽  
Sheila Gautier ◽  
Norman Salem Jr.

Background: In developing countries, dietary intakes of arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in early life are lower than current recommended levels. This review specifically focusses on the contribution that complementary feeding makes to ARA and DHA intakes in medium- to low-income countries. The aims of the review are (1) to determine the availability of ARA and DHA food sources in developing countries, (2) to estimate the contribution of complementary feeding to dietary intakes of ARA and DHA in infants aged 6-36 months, and (3) to relate the dietary ARA and DHA intake data to key socioeconomic and health indicators. Summary: The primary dietary data was collected by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) using Food Balance Sheets, and fatty acid composition was based on the Australian food composition tables. There is evidence of wide variation in per capita dietary intake for both DHA and ARA food sources, with low intakes of meat and seafood products being highly prevalent in most low-income countries. In children aged 6-36 months, the supply of ARA and DHA from the longer duration of breastfeeding in low-income countries is counterbalanced by the exceptionally low provision of ARA and DHA from complementary foods. The lowest tertile for ARA intake is associated with higher percentages of childhood stunting, birth rate, infant mortality, and longer duration of breast feeding. Key Message: In developing countries, intakes of DHA and ARA from complementary foods are low, and public health organisations need to adopt pragmatic strategies that will ensure that there is a nutritional safety net for the most vulnerable infants.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ty Beal ◽  
Flaminia Ortenzi

Abstract Background: Despite concerted efforts to improve diet quality and reduce malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies remain widespread globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries and among population groups with increased needs, where diets are often inadequate in iron, zinc, folate, vitamin A, calcium, and vitamin B12. There is a need to understand the density of these micronutrients and their bioavailability across diverse foods and the suitability of these foods to help meet requirements for populations with high burdens of micronutrient malnutrition.Objective: We aimed to identify the top food sources of these commonly lacking micronutrients, which are essential for optimal health, to support efforts to reduce micronutrient malnutrition among various populations globally.Methods: We built an aggregated global food composition database and calculated recommended nutrient intakes for five population groups with varying requirements. An approach was developed to rate foods according to their density in each and all priority micronutrients for various population groups with different nutrient requirements.Results: We find that the top sources of priority micronutrients are organs, small fish, dark green leafy vegetables, bivalves, crustaceans, goat, beef, eggs, milk, canned fish with bones, lamb, and mutton. Cheese, goat milk, and pork are also good sources, and to a lesser extent, yogurt, fresh fish, pulses, teff, and canned fish without bones.Conclusions: The results provide insight into which foods to prioritize to fill common micronutrient gaps and reduce undernutrition.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (64) ◽  
pp. 9085-9103
Author(s):  
EL Ssemukasa ◽  
◽  
J Kearney ◽  

The first 2 years of life provide a critical window of opportunity for ensuring children’s appropriate growth and development through optimal feeding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of weaning practices in Wakiso district. Wakiso is a district in central Uganda that encircles Kampala, Uganda's capital city. The district is named after the town of Wakiso, where the district headquarters are located. A descriptive survey to evaluate infant weaning practices was conducted at Nsanji Health Centre III, Wakiso district from July through October 2011. Mothers with no established HIV/AIDS positive status aged 15 years and above, with last born-child aged 1-23 months, willing to provide data on the infant´s feeding practices and regular attendants for infant vaccination schedules on Tuesday at the same facility were targeted. The motherinfant pairs were systematically selected for participation in the study based on the number of mothers together with their infants present every Tuesday morning of each week, for vaccinations at the health centre since the health centre had no database for the breastfeeding mothers. A structured questionnaire focusing on breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding practices, mineral supplementation and fluids administration, child’s state of wellbeing in first year of life, mothers’ age and parity was administered. A total of 204 mother-infant pairs were analysed. Overall, 94% of 204 infants who participated in the study had not been exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Only one of the 124 infants between 0- 6 months of age and 5.9% of the 80 infants over 6 months of age were still exclusively breastfeeding at the time of the survey. Complementary foods were introduced earlier than recommended with 22% of the mothers introducing solid foods before 1 month, 14% at 1-3 months and 6% at 4-6 months. Family members (p = 0.001) were a significant source of information on when to start feeding infants solid foods. In conclusion, the low exclusive breastfeeding rates, the early introduction of complementary foods and cow milk and the late introduction of red meat into the infant diets may well be responsible for the high level of infant infections recorded in the first year of infancy. Therefore, a nutritional education intervention, promoting exclusive breastfeeding, highlighting the health and food safety risks associated with the early introduction of cow milk into the infant diets could help reduce the high levels of infant infections and mortality in Uganda.


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