Estimated Nutritive Value of Low-Price Model Lunch Sets Provided to Garment Workers in Cambodia

Makurat, Jan; Pillai, Aarati; Wieringa, Frank T.; Chamnan, Chhoun; Krawinkel, Michael B.

doi:10.3390/nu9070782

Cited by 6 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…In a previous research in Cambodia, a canteen offering low-price lunches ($1.00 USD) demonstrated potential to improve the food security of RMG workers. 22,23 The study assessed the nutritive value of a low-price lunch model and showed that the lunches satisfied energy and macronutrient recommendations but did not have enough iron. If meals are provided, attention to the quality and diversity of food is important to make health and productivity improvements.…”

Section: Discussion and Implications For Programs And Policiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring food security and nutrition among young women in the formally regulated garment sector of Myanmar

Goudet

Hlaing

Griffiths

2020

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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Malnutrition can adversely influence women's overall health and development and that of their children. In the Yangon region of Myanmar, young women aged 15-19 years can be excessively thin, overweight, or anemic. A significant proportion of these young women working within the formal sector are employed in the garment industry. This study used a mixed-method approach to generate robust evidence on food security and nutrition in young female garment workers. The research revealed that women have poor quality of nutrition, restricted their food intake, and ate less preferred food. The risk factors for not meeting the minimum dietary diversity were related to migration patterns, employment, food security level, and living conditions. This study offers recommendations and identifies areas for interventions that are either wanted by consulted stakeholders and/or for which there is an evidence basis for their recommendation: (1) promote food-and nutrition-specific programming, (2) increase healthy food access, and (3) improve employment conditions. These future interventions should generate comprehensive research, data, and benefits to fill in the evidence gaps identified and provide guidance on how to promote nutrition in the workplace for this vulnerable group of workers.

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Section: Discussion and Implications For Programs And Policiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring food security and nutrition among young women in the formally regulated garment sector of Myanmar

Goudet

Hlaing

Griffiths

2020

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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“…A temporary canteen was installed in a roofed outdoor area at the factory site [18]. Apsara Garment Co. Ltd. had never operated a staff canteen before.…”

Section: Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sets should provide about one third of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for non-pregnant women aged 19-30 years old (total~700 kcal) [20]. Based on these standards, a biweekly menu (of 12 model lunch sets) was outlined in consultation with the caterer [18]. Focus was laid on accepted Cambodian dishes, using local foods and ensuring variety by providing cereals, various vegetables, animal source foods (meat or fish), and fresh fruits on a daily basis.…”

Section: Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Table 1 presents the estimated nutritive value of the lunch sets. Further information on exact costs, components and ingredients, serving sizes, and corresponding nutritive value of single lunch sets can be found elsewhere [18].…”

Section: Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The current essay reports on the main outcomes of the LUPROGAR study (Lunch Provision in Garment Factories), a factory-based exploratory randomized controlled trial, whose objective is to determine the effect of a lowprice model lunch provision via a canteen during workdays on anthropometry, as well as on the hemoglobin (Hb) and micronutrient status of female garment workers in Cambodia. Prior to this paper, the authors provided detailed information on the participants' nutritional and health status at baseline [4], the low-price model lunch provision approach within this trial [18], and on the food consumption of study participants with and without access to the model lunch provision [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of lunch provision on anthropometry, hemoglobin, and micronutrient status of female Cambodian garment workers: exploratory randomized controlled trial

et al. 2019

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Background: Lunch provision is expected to improve the nutritional status of Cambodian garment workers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of a model lunch provision through a canteen on anthropometry, hemoglobin, and micronutrient status in female garment workers in Cambodia. Methods: This exploratory randomized controlled trial was implemented at a garment factory in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Female workers (nulliparous, non-pregnant) were recruited and randomly allocated into an intervention arm (workday's lunch provision) and a control arm. Served lunch sets (~700 kcal on average) included diverse local dishes. Anthropometry (body mass index, weight, triceps skinfold thickness, and mid-upper arm muscle circumference), as well as hemoglobin, serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor, serum retinol binding protein, and serum folate concentrations were assessed at baseline and after 5 months of lunch provision. A general linear model with adjustments for baseline values was used to estimate intervention effects for each outcome variable. Results: Two hundred twenty-three women were recruited (n = 112 control and n = 111 intervention). 172 (n = 86 in each arm) completed the study. Baseline prevalence of underweight, anemia, depleted iron stores, and marginal iron stores, were 31, 24, 21, and 50%, respectively. Subjects were not affected by frank vitamin A or folate deficiency, whereas 30% showed a marginal folate status. Overall, mean changes in anthropometric variables, hemoglobin, and retinol binding protein were marginal and not significant among intervention subjects. Mean folate concentration increased insignificantly by + 1.1 ng/mL (− 0.02, 2.2) (p = 0.054). On the other hand, mean ferritin decreased by − 6.6 μg/L (− 11.9, − 1.3) (p = 0.015). Subgroup analysis prompts that effects are differently pronounced according to the baseline status of workers. Conclusions: Findings indicate that model lunch sets provided a beneficial amount of dietary folate, but need to be revisited for iron content and/or iron bioavailability. It is believed that distinct positive effects on anthropometry, hemoglobin, and micronutrient status can solely be expected in malnourished individuals. The authors suggest that similar larger trials, which include sets adapted to the concrete needs of workers affected by underweight, anemia and/or definite micronutrient deficiencies, should be performed.

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Scoping review of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment studies in Khmer populations living in Cambodia

Windus

Burrows

Duncanson

et al. 2021

J Human Nutrition Diet

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Background: This scoping review aims to describe the body of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment research undertaken with Khmer populations in Cambodia, as well as summarise the nutrition knowledge base and highlight priority areas for future research. Methods: Five databases and the grey literature were searched, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies involving dietary assessment or nutrition interventions published after 1992 were identified using specific search terms and extracted to a customised data extraction table for categorisation and analysis. Study participants were Khmer people of any age and gender, living in rural or urban Cambodia. Results: Of the 100 included studies, 58 were dietary assessment only studies, 24 were nutrition interventions only, and 18 studies involved both assessment of intake and an intervention. Sixty-eight percent of study populations were mothers and young children, of which 52 studies focused on children aged under 5 years. Nineteen interventions involved supplementation and six trialled fortification of rice or fish sauce. Anaemia was the most common nutrition condition studied (n = 17), followed by malnutrition (n = 15) and malnutrition risk factors (n = 11). General nutrition status was explored in 25 studies, and individual micronutrients that were studied included iron (n = 27), zinc (n = 6), vitamin A (n = 4) and thiamine (n = 3). Conclusions: Diet-related research in Khmer populations in Cambodia has predominantly focused on dietary assessment or evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing malnutrition and resolving micronutrient deficiencies. Areas identified as emerging needs included non-communicable diseases, the ageing population and non-iron deficiency anaemia. Highlights• Previous research involving nutrition interventions and/or dietary assessment research among Khmer populations living in Cambodia has largely focused on malnutrition and anaemia. • Populations studied have been predominantly maternal and young children, addressing Sustainable Development Goals. • Supplementation and fortification interventions are prominent. • Wide variety of study outcomes involving dietary assessment, e.g., health behaviours, food security, intervention effectiveness and oral health, across different population groups.

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Estimated Nutritive Value of Low-Price Model Lunch Sets Provided to Garment Workers in Cambodia

Cited by 6 publications

References 23 publications

Exploring food security and nutrition among young women in the formally regulated garment sector of Myanmar

Exploring food security and nutrition among young women in the formally regulated garment sector of Myanmar

Impact of lunch provision on anthropometry, hemoglobin, and micronutrient status of female Cambodian garment workers: exploratory randomized controlled trial

Scoping review of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment studies in Khmer populations living in Cambodia

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