Effect of catfish supplementation on the fatty acid status and growth of undernourished rural preschool children under 6 years of age: An intervention trial in Lebowa, South Africa

Abstract

A group of 102 preschool children aged 13-69 months from a rural area of Lebowa were selected from a cross-sectional study of 659 children for an intervention trial (12 months) to study the effect of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) supplementation on their plasma phospholipid fatty acid status and growth. They were classified into undernourished and control groups according to their weight-for-age. The undernourished children (n = 52) received 43 g fish and 7.5 g sunflower cooking oil per day, whereas a matched (age and sex) well-nourished control group (n = 50) was not supplemented. At baseline, after 6 months and after 12 months of the study, anthropometry, haematology, blood biochemistry and plasma phospholipid fatty acid analyses were done. In the undernourished group, high baseline oleic acid (18:1 9) levels in plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) were replaced by docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 3) with supplementation. In plasma PC, this reduction in 18:1 9 and increase in 22:6 3 was associated with significant increases in weight-for-age Z-scores, P = 0.0378 and P = 0.0415, respectively. The fish supplement and cooking oil that supplied additional 7% energy (7% E) and nutrients promoted growth of undernourished children, although this was inadequate for sustained growth during the second 6 months of intervention.

Fish and Fish-Based Products for Nutrition and Health in the First 1000 Days: A Systematic Review of the Evidence from Low and Middle-Income Countries

“…The studies can be divided into observational studies (n = 29) (Table 2) and impact evaluations (n = 10) (Table 3). Of the 39 studies, 14 were in Eastern and Southern Africa (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31), 5 in West and Central Africa (32)(33)(34)(35)(36), 10 in Southeast Asia (37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46), 4 in South Asia (47-50), and 5 in Latin America and the Caribbean (all of which were in Brazil) (51)(52)(53)(54)(55). One study included data from 46 lowand middle-income countries (56).…”

“…We grouped fish exposures into direct or indirect fish consumption (Table 4). Exposures were considered direct fish consumption in surveys that recorded fish or aquatic food consumption in mothers (27-30, 32, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54) or infants/children (22,23,30,47,52,56,31) without other foods. Exposures were defined as indirect fish consumption when a composite measure was used with other foods (e.g., meat, vegetables).…”

“…Most articles assessed infant and child outcomes, with the most reported being anthropometric measures. Growth indices included length-or height-for-age z score (LAZ or HAZ) (22, 23, 30, 34, 36, 38, 41, 42, 44, 51-53, 57, 31), weightfor-age z score (WAZ) (22, 30, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 51-53, 57, 31), and weight-for-height z score (WHZ) (22,30,34,36,38,41,42,44,(51)(52)(53)57). Anthropometric indices consisted of MUAC (36,38,44,57), length and weight (25,26), head circumference (25,36,44), and skinfold thickness (25,36,44).…”

Investing in African fisheries: building links to the Millennium Development Goals

“…Studies have also linked these nutrients to improved overall health, better memory retention and increased energy (Sidhu 2003). A recent study conducted in a poor rural district of Kwa‐Zulu Natal in South Africa suggests that providing fresh catfish and fish oil tablets to under‐nourished children can yield significant improvements in nutrition, energy levels and growth (Tichelaar et al. 1999).…”

“…Studies have also linked these nutrients to improved overall health, better memory retention and increased energy (Sidhu 2003). A recent study conducted in a poor rural district of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa suggests that providing fresh catfish and fish oil tablets to undernourished children can yield significant improvements in nutrition, energy levels and growth (Tichelaar et al 1999). The authors conclude, 'fish can be an ideal vehicle to supplement undernourished children with good food that provides, in addition to energy, animal proteins, omega-six and omega-three fatty acids as well as micronutrients (iron and zinc)' (Ibid, pp.…”