The Micronutrient Consumption in Indian Elementary School Children across Socioeconomic Strata

Background: The adequate intake of micronutrients in school children has a significant long term beneficial effect on a child’s overall development and performance. Thus, identifying sub-clinical deficiencies, monitoring micronutrient intake in a child’s diet, and subsequently treating each is of paramount importance. The present study aimed to determine the daily micronutrient consumption in elementary school children across socioeconomic strata (SCE) compared to age-specific, recommended daily allowance (RDA). Subjects/Methods: Three hundred and sixty-six (366) healthy, school-going girls and boys between the ages of 6 -14 years volunteered for the study. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the urban socioeconomic status grid questionnaire, and micronutrient consumption was determined by the 24-hour recall questionnaire and the Dietcal software. Results: Seventy per cent of the children tested had a BMI in the normal range, and approximately 15.84% of the children were underweight, of which 82% were in the Mid-low SCE strata. Paradoxically, an equal number of children (15%) were overweight, of which 89% belonged to the high SCE strata. Overall, a large number (70-90%) of children were found deficient (compared to RDA) in the intake of micronutrients, and there were significant differences between children belonging to the high and mid-low SCE strata in the intake of Calcium (10 -14 year), Iron (6 - 12 year) and Vitamin B6 (for 10 -14 year). Additionally, the deficiency in the consumption of Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B6, Vitamin 12, and Vitamin A was the most in the older children, while the consumption of Magnesium and Vitamin C across all age groups was within the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Conclusions: Elementary schools across socioeconomic status and age groups reported severe deficiencies in the consumption of micronutrients. Interestingly, in-spite of the accessibility to nutritious food, children belonging to the high SCE strata were also deficient in micronutrient intake. Hence, it is important to re-focus our attention from gross caloric intake to the consumption of micronutrient-rich foods.

Impact of Micronutrients on Hypertension: Evidence from Clinical Trials with a Special Focus on Meta-Analysis

Hypertension (HT) is one of the pivotal risk factors for various detrimental diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cerebrovascular disease, and renal dysfunction. Currently, many researchers are paying immense attention to various diet formula (dietary approach) with a special focus on micro and macronutrients along with modified lifestyle and standard anti-hypertensive drugs. Micronutrients (minerals/vitamins) play a central role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP) as they aid the function of macronutrients and also improve the anti-hypertensive functions of some anti-hypertensive agents. Even though several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of micronutrients on controlling BP, still some ambiguity exists among the nutritionists/doctors, which combination or individual mineral (dietary approach) contributes to better BP regulation. Therefore, this critical review article was attempted to delineate the underlying role of micronutrients (minerals and vitamins) for the management and prevention or delaying of HT and their related complications with strong affirmation from clinical trials as well as its mechanism of controlling BP. Moreover, the major source and recommended daily allowance (RDA) of various micronutrients are included in this review for guiding common readers (especially HT subjects) and dieticians to choose/recommend a better micronutrient and their combinations (other nutrients and standard anti-hypertensive drugs) for lowering the risk of HT and its related co-morbid conditions like CVDs.

Evaluation of nutritional and elemental compositions of green and red cultivars of roselle: Hibiscus sabdariffa L.

Roselle—Hibiscus sabdariffa L. leaves at different stages of growth, calyces and seeds were analyzed for nutritional and anti-nutritional factors. All the treatments contained a good but varied proportion of carbohydrate in a range of 26.93–54.13%, crude protein from 5.7 to 27.06%, crude fat 1.16–13.09%, crude fibre 15.75–36.10%, energy 631.36–1065 kJ, ash 6.08–13.74% and moisture content 6.00–9.7%. The vitamins A, C and E were also found to be present in all the treatments in a different but substantial amount. The calcium, magnesium and iron contents in all the treatments were higher than the recommended daily allowance of 1250, 350, and 15 mg for adults, while the phosphorus and sodium values in all the treatments were below 1000 and 1500 mg RDA for adults. However, the Na + /K + for all the treatments were lower than 1. The values of anti-nutrients in the samples were small except post-flowering red which had high phytate content of 21.02%, although this can be easily reduced during processes like boiling and cooking. Thus, both cultivars of roselle contain high nutritional, elemental, and vitamins compositions and small content of anti-nutrients.

Dietary Practices, Nutrient Adequacy, and Nutrition Status among Adolescents in Boarding High Schools in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess dietary practices, nutrient adequacy, and nutrition status among 164 adolescents aged between 16 and 19 years in boarding secondary schools in the Kilimanjaro region. In-depth interviews and a survey guided by a semistructured and structured questionnaire, including 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire techniques, were used to collect information. Nutrition status was assessed using anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin levels. WHO AnthroPlus software and NutriSurvey software were used to analyze anthropometry and dietary data, respectively. Diet in boarding schools was monotonous comprising mainly of cereal-legume meal with low intake of animal sources, fruits, and vegetables. Mean intake of energy, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and zinc was 1392 kcal, 24.8 mg, 9.2 mg, 134.5 mg, and 4.3 mg, respectively, which were below the Recommended Daily Allowance. The average carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake of 471.9 g, 73.7 g, and 80.7 g, respectively, were slightly higher than the Recommended Daily Allowance in both sexes. Male had a significantly higher intake of protein and carbohydrates (P<0.001). Female had a significantly (P<0.001) high intake of fat compared to male adolescents. Overall, 23.1% of the adolescents were anaemic, 25% were overweight, and 6.1% were obese. Boarding secondary schools’ diet is monotonous and are inadequate in key micronutrients, iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin C. There is a coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition among adolescents in boarding schools. Therefore, monitoring adolescents’ dietary intake and nutrition status is a key in preventing adolescents’ malnutrition in the short term and diet-related diseases in the long term.

Evaluation of Heavy Metal Content in Feed, Litter, Meat, Meat Products, Liver, and Table Eggs of Chickens

We assessed the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Co, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Ni in chicken meat and meat products, feed, and litter, as well as laying hens’ eggs, feed and litter to monitor the quality of products on the market and their safety for human consumption as judged by recommended daily allowance (RDA) and tolerable upper levels. Samples were chosen as the most popular poultry products in Saudi Arabia. A total of 45 broiler samples of frozen or fresh meat, liver, burger, or frankfurter were chosen from the same brand. Additionally, 60 table eggs from four commercial brands were collected, and the edible parts of these were used to determine levels of minerals and toxic elements. Furthermore, 30 feed and litter samples were collected from the starter, grower, and layer diets of broilers and laying hens. The results indicated that there were significant levels of most of the trace elements and heavy metals in the different meat sources. Furthermore, the liver contained the highest levels of elements, except for Cr, Co, and Ni. The highest Cr level was detected in the fresh meat, followed by frozen meat. Trace elements (Mn and Co) and heavy metals (Ni and Pb) were not detected in either the frozen or the fresh meat. The chicken burger and the frankfurter exhibited similar trace-element and heavy-metal contents, except for Zn and Mn, as the frankfurter showed higher concentrations than the burger. Differences in most of the trace and toxic elements among the different sources of eggs were not found to be significant, except for Zn. Differences between the broiler meat and table eggs were only substantial for Fe and Zn. Fe was significantly higher in meat than in eggs, and the opposite trend was found for Zn. The liver contained higher heavy metals than the eggs, except for Cr. In addition, the burger had higher concentrations of essential (Cu and Co) and heavy metals (Pb and Ni) than the eggs but had lower levels of Zn and Cr. The frankfurter exhibited significantly higher levels of Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Pb, and Ni than the eggs but lower levels of Zn and Cr. To summarize, Cd, Pb, As, and Se were not detected in the broiler meat or eggs, indicating no risks from these toxic elements. Conversely, the liver exhibited the highest content of heavy metals, except for Cr, indicating that the intake of Pb and Cd was above the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for adults. The meat products exhibited higher Pb, Cd, and Ni levels than the broiler meat and the table eggs, suggesting that they posed a health threat to humans, and the intake of Pb in the meat products was higher than the RDA. Thus, chicken meat and table eggs, which are primary protein sources, are safe sources of human nutrition, while liver and meat products may present potential health hazards through the food chain.

The Role of Multimicronutrient Supplementation in Pediatric HIV Management in Nigeria: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background We aimed to compare the immunologic and hematologic effects of 3 multimicronutrient supplements in human immunodeficiency virus–positive children in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods This double-blind, randomized controlled study included 190 children, aged 5–12 years, in Lagos, Nigeria. Sixty-four, 63, and 63 participants were assigned to multimicronutrient group A, B, or C, respectively, for 6 months. Supplements A, B, and C contained 7 micronutrients at the recommended daily allowance (RDA) (comparable to standard-of-care multivitamin), 22 micronutrients at the RDA, and 22 micronutrients at 3 times the recommended daily allowance (3RDA), respectively. Using paired sample t tests and factorial repeat-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), within- and between-group changes in CD4 count and hemoglobin levels were evaluated after 6 months. Results After 6 months of supplementation, paired-sample t test showed that CD4 cell count did not significantly differ from baseline for all 3 groups. Between-subject effect also did not significantly differ in the 3 groups after 6 months (factorial repeat-measures ANOVA (F [degrees of freedom {df} = 2, 187] = 0.846; P = .436; partial η 2 = 0.009). Hemoglobin levels were significantly increased after supplementation in all 3 supplement groups. Increases were not significantly different between groups (factorial repeat-measures ANOVA (F [df = 2, 187] = 0.549; P = .591; partial η 2 = 0.006). Conclusions Equivalent effects were observed. After 6 months of supplementation, mean CD4 count was not significantly different between groups. Hemoglobin concentration was significantly increased in all 3 groups, but increase did not differ between groups. Clinical Trials Registration NCT02552602.

Evaluation and Reformulation of Ingredients the Indigenous Tumpi Product

The aim of the study was to evaluate and formulate the ingredients of tuna tumpi products, indigenous traditional foods from South and West Sulawesi of Indonesia. This study has analyzed the effect of fish cooking methods and coconut maturity level on the sensory quality of the products produced. The effect of the treatment of grated coconut and the duration of the frying pan on the level of maturity of the tumpi product have also been studied. Reformulation of constituent materials and nutritional value of tuna tumpi products have been carried out. The results showed that the tumpi product made from grilled fish mixed with half-old coconut was the best product and the most preferred by consumers. Cooked tumpi or cooked perfectly product from grated Coconut not squeezed with a frying duration of 60-100 s are the products most preferred by consumers. The best composition of the ingredients for the best tuna tumpi products are 65% fish, 15% grated coconut, 5% tapioca, and 15 seasoning. With serving size 100 g, this product contribute 50%, 18% and 5% Indonesian Recommended Daily Allowance for protein, fats, and carbohydrate, resfectivly, and release 277 cal.