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 efficacy of Sprinkles in reducing the prevalence of anemia; (2) To assess whether intermittent dosing (once weekly) is as efficacious as daily administration of Sprinkles in reducing the prevalence of anemia; and (3) To determine the effect of Sprinkles on hemoglobin, serum ferritin, retinol, and Vitamin D concentrations. At the beginning of the study, classes at the preschool were randomized into one of three groups: Daily Sprinkles (30 mg iron 5 times/week); Weekly Sprinkles (30 mg iron/week); or Control (no intervention). The follow-up is based on a 3-month intervention period.
This study is supported
