Author: Supplefer

Benin and Vietnam (Contact: Claudia Schauer; Planning Stage)

In developing countries of Asia and Africa prevalence of anemia ranges from 45 to 76% and weaning infants, adolescent girls and women of reproductive age (WRA) are at particular risk. The etiology of anemia in both Benin and Vietnam is multifactorial thereby, necessitating interventions to address multiple causes of anemia to achieve the desired results.

We are evaluating a combination of interventions to reduce iron deficiency and anemia in Benin and Vietnam. In each country we will test iron cooking pots as well as one dietary intervention, (Sprinkles) and one public health intervention (anti-helminth).

Phase I: Field-based qualitative research will be carried out to determine which interventions are most acceptable and affordable. In addition, a lab-based study will be conducted to determine the increase in iron content and to estimate bioavailability of iron from typical weaning foods and traditional family foods cooked …

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Study 1: Emergency Relief in Haiti: A distribution study within the ACF canteen program

Food aid is the provision of food commodities as a form of international assistance. It is a form of aid,
which can directly address poverty and hunger issues in developing countries. Commonly speaking, objectives of food aid
are to reduce starvation and acute malnutrition problems in communities affected by emergencies and to contribute to the
food security of a population or country. According to the 1996 World Food Summit held in Rome, the concept of food security encompasses a wide range of issues
affecting both quantity and quality of diet meeting an individual’s demands for protein, calorie and all sorts of necessary
micronutrients. A comprehensive and effective food aid plan should consider all these nutritional details.

The population groups mostly affected by any emergency situation namely war and natural disasters include women and children.
While general …

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China Study (Contact: Waseem Sharrief; Completed)

China is the most rapidly developing and populous nation in the world. However, the nutritional benefits from economic growth have not been shared equally among its people. Studies in China have shown great geographical variation in the prevalence of anemia, most likely the result of large economic disparity between rural and urban areas. In addition, there is a great diversity of environmental, dietary, and genetic factors in the Chinese population. In Northern China, the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia has been reported to be as high as 41%. It has been suggested from a meta-analysis that intermittent iron supplementation could be as effective as daily supplementation in a supervised (e.g. school) setting and appears to be a promising strategy to control anemia.

A government preschool in Baotou city, Northern China was selected to participate in a prospective study whose objectives are (1) To determine the …

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Home fortification with micronutrient Sprinkles-a new approach for the prevention and
treatment of nutritional anemias. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Feb 2003;8(2):87-90.

C Schauer, SH Zlotkin

Despite global goals set by UN agencies over the past decade for significant reductions in iron deficiency anemia (IDA), it remains a largely unaddressed public health problem affecting more than 2 billion people, one third of the world’s population. The negative impact of IDA on health and human potential are greatest in the developing world where it is estimated that 51% of children less than 4 years of age, are anemic mainly due to a diet inadequate in bioavailable iron. Studies in both developed and developing countries have consistently shown mental and motor impairments that may not be reversible in children less than 2 years of age with IDA. From a public health standpoint there are …

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The current WHO/UNICEF recommended daily dose of iron for program settings where the prevalence of anemia is greater than 40% is 12.5 mg of iron (based on ferrous sulfate), for infants and young children from 6-24 months of age. Sprinkles are a new multiple micronutrient approach to home-fortification of complementary foods for children containing iron as microencapsulated ferrous fumarate. The dose of iron in Sprinkles should be large enough to treat anemia within a relatively short period of time yet be safe for prophylactic use in non-anemic children.The objectives of the study is to evaluate and compare the initial hematologic response from three different doses of Sprinkles, and two forms of iron compared to the reference standard (ferrous sulfate drops) in anemic infants 6-18 months of age.

The design of the study will involve randomizing anemic infants to one of 5 groups: (1)12.5, (2) 20, or (3) 30 mg Fe …

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Zinc:

Function

Zinc is a cofactor for numerous enzymes. It is involved in metabolism and cell growth. Other functions of zinc include sexual maturation, wound healing, appetite, sense of taste and smell and skin integrity.

Physiology

In the gut, zinc binds to a compound secreted from the pancreas, which helps absorption in the intestine. In the blood, zinc circulates bound to serum protein. Zinc is excreted via the feces, sweat and urine.

Food Sources

The richest sources of zinc include red meats, liver, fish, eggs, milk, nuts and legumes. Although zinc is present in vegetable matter, it is less available as it is bound by phytates which are chemicals found in many of these foods.

Deficiency

A deficiency of zinc may lead to growth faltering, delay in sexual maturation, mental lethargy and skin changes. Zinc also plays a role in maintaining immunity (T-cell function).…

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Sprinkles:
How to use them and how they can help your child

What happens when there isn’t enough iron and why it is
important to take Sprinkles

• Iron
  makes a child have strong blood and grow healthy.
• When a
  child does not have enough iron, it stops a him/her
  from learning well and his/her brain can’t grow well.
• Low
  iron makes a chil weak and tired.
• Sprinkles
  helps children to have strong blood, grow healthy, learn well and feel
  strong and energetic

What are Sprinkles?

• Sprinkles
  are packages of dry powder that has no taste 
• This
  powder has many vitamins and minerals to help make children strong,
  healthy and smart
• The
  vitamins inside are iron, zinc, vitamin A, folic acid and vitamin C which
  help children to have strong blood and protects them from getting sick
• The
  child’s caregiver should give one package each day to any child that

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Vitamin E:

Function

Vitamin E is involved in maintaining the integrity and function of cellular membranes. It is also thought to play a role in the prevention of oxidation of fatty acids contained in cell membranes. Vitamin E is also thought to be an antioxidant, potentially capable of preventing the actions of free radicals.

Physiology

Vitamin E is fat-soluble and therefore is absorbed with fat in the diet. Only a small percentage (20-40%) is absorbed from the gut. Vitamin E is transported to the liver via fat transporters called chylomicrons and to tissues via plasma lipoproteins. It is stored in membranes and in the liver, adipose (fat) and muscle tissue.

Food Sources

Vitamin E is most commonly found in vegetable and cereal seed oils. It is also found in small amounts in eggs, fish and meat.

Deficiency

Vitamin E deficiency may lead to hemolytic anemia, edema (water retention), elevated platelet …

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