For 8 wk 5 groups of 10 men each were given 0.5 g/day DL-methionine, 150 micrograms Se/day as sodium selenite with or without methionine or 150 micrograms Se/day as selenomethionine with or without methionine. Twenty subjects received placebo as controls. Initially plasma Se rose more rapidly than RBC Se. Increases in Se levels were significantly greater with selenomethionine than with the selenite supplement. In the placebo and methionine supplemented groups neither plasma nor RBC Se varied significantly over the course of the study. Supplementation with selenium resulted in marked increases in plasma and RBC GSH-Px within 2 and 4 wk, respectively. Plasma and RBC GSH-Px activity did not differ significantly between Se-supplemented groups. These studies suggest that selenomethionine-Se was more effective in raising plasma and RBC Se than was selenite-Se. Methionine supplements may increase the bioavailability of selenium in severely deficient subjects.

High rates of pregnancy during adolescence in Malawi compromise the nutritional status of adolescent mothers and their infants. When a pregnant adolescent is malnourished, she is at risk for health complications. Research focusing on the nutritional status of pregnant adolescents in Malawi is minimal. The purpose of this study was to assess dietary diversity, antenatal care, food taboos, meal frequency, and nutritional status of pregnant adolescents in rural Malawi. The study included sixty-two pregnant adolescents between 15-19 years old. Data collection included the use of a pre-tested questionnaire, standardized dietary diversity survey and measurements of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), height, and hemoglobin. Statistical analysis included descriptive analysis, linear and logistic regression. Mean (SD) age was 17.7 (1.2) years. Mean MUAC was 25.9 (2.0) cm; 31% had MUAC <25 cm. The occurrence of stunting was 19% and 21% were ≤150 cm tall. The mean hemoglobin was 10.37 (1.93) g/dL and 66% were anemic. The mean dietary diversity score was 4.06 (1.18) and 69% did not achieve minimum dietary diversity (score ≥ five.) No participants consumed dairy and only 7% consumed eggs. Eating meat and poultry or dark green leafy vegetables predicted a 1.31g/dL (pvalue = 0.0306) or 1.08 g/dL (p-value =0.0331) increase in hemoglobin levels, respectively (R 2 =0.15). Food taboos during pregnancy were common (35%). Compared to the Malawi National Nutrition Guidelines, 87% were not eating daily from each of the six food groups and 74% were not meeting the recommended meal frequency during pregnancy (three meals and at least one snack/day). Less than 50% consumed foods from legumes/nuts and animal food groups. The majority (63%) did not take antenatal supplements and only 37% consumed ferrous sulfate. Only 52% received advice about nutrition during pregnancy and few (8%) received advice about infant and young child feeding. Girls who received nutrition advice were more likely to take an iron supplement [OR=4.19 (1.82-9.68), p=0.0008] compared to those who did not. As the number of antenatal visits increased, the participants were more likely to take a supplement [OR=11.88 (3.40-41.49) p=0.001]. Interventions for pregnant adolescents in rural Malawi should occur early in pregnancy and include education on dietary diversity, increasing hemoglobin levels, meal frequency, food taboos, antenatal supplements and infant and young child feeding.

Iodine deficiency has been reported to affect a large number of people in Ethiopia. Although significant progress against iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been reported worldwide, millions of people remain with insufficient iodine intake. Multiple factors may contribute to iodine deficiency. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate iodine deficiency and dietary intake of iodine. A cross-sectional survey design was used to assess urinary iodine concentration (UIC), goiter and dietary intake of iodine in a sample of 202 non-pregnant women living in three rural communities of Sidama Zone, southern Ethiopia. Urinary iodine concentration was analyzed using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction, goiter was assessed using palpation and dietary source of iodine was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Data were analyzed using selected descriptive and analytical statistical measures with SAS software. Mean (SD) age, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and body mass index [BMI -Wt(kg)/(Ht(m))2] were 30.8(7.9) y, 24.8(2.5) cm and 20 (2.2) respectively. Median UIC was 37.2 µg/L. Participants with UIC <20 µg/L, classified as severely iodine deficient were 22.8%; 46.5% had UIC between 20 to <50 µg/L, classified as moderately iodine deficient, and 27.2 % had UIC in the mild deficiency range of 50 to <100 µg/L. Only 3.5% of the women had UIC ≥ 100 μg/L. The total goiter rate was 15.9%, which was 1.5% visible and 14.4% palpable goiter. A majority of the participants consumed Enset (E. ventricosum), corn and kale frequently and meat was consumed rarely. None of the participants reported ever consuming iodized salt or ever having heard about use of iodized salt. Adjacent communities (Alamura, Tullo and Finchawa) showed significant differences in UIC, goiter rate and frequency of fish and dairy consumption. The findings of the present study revealed that iodine status of the population is a significant public health problem. Hence, there is a need to supply iodized salt in order to achieve the goal of elimination of iodine deficiency disorders in the community.