Food sources and intake of n‐6 and n‐3 fatty acids in low‐income countries with emphasis on infants, young children (6–24 months), and pregnant and lactating women

Abstract

With increasing interest in the potential effects of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in early life, there is a need for data on the dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in low-income countries. This review compiles information on the content in breast milk and in foods that are important in the diets of low-income countries from the few studies available. We also estimate the availability of fat and fatty acids in 13 low-income and middleincome countries based on national food balance sheets from the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization Statistical Database (FOASTAT). Breast milk docosahexaenoic acid content is very low in populations living mainly on a plant-based diet, but higher in fish-eating countries. Per capita supply of fat and n-3 fatty acids increases markedly with increasing gross domestic product (GDP). In most of the 13 countries, 70-80% of the supply of PUFA comes from cereals and vegetable oils, some of which have very low a-linolenic acid (ALA) content.The total n-3 fatty acid supply is below or close to the lower end of the recommended intake range [0.4%E (percentage of energy supply)] for infants and young children, and below the minimum recommended level (0.5%E) for pregnant and lactating women in the nine countries with the lowest GDP. Fish is important as a source of long-chain n-3 fatty acids, but intake is low in many countries. The supply of n-3 fatty acids can be increased by using vegetable oils with higher ALA content (e.g. soybean or rapeseed oil) and by increasing fish production (e.g. through fish farming).

Lipid-based nutrient supplementation in the first 1000 d improves child growth in Bangladesh: a cluster-randomized effectiveness trial

“…Long-chain PUFAs make up a substantial proportion of brain tissue, much of which is accreted during the first 1000 d (10). In countries such as Bangladesh, the PUFA content of maternal and infant diets may be below recommended levels (13,14). For this reason, providing essential fatty acids in home fortification products could be beneficial (15).…”

Homestead pond polyculture can improve access to nutritious small fish

“…Improved access to nutrient-rich foods for pregnant and lactating women and infants and young children, i.e. the first 1000 days of life from conception until the child is two years of age, is known to promote optimal growth, development and cognition, which leads to improved learning, productivity and economic gain (Michaelsen et al 2011;Victora et al 2008;Dewey and Vitta 2013).…”

Identification of Fatty Acids in Sacha Inchi Oil (Cursive Plukenetia Volubilis L.) From Ecuador

“…For instance, LA is converted to VLCPUFA arachidonic acid, and ALA is converted to both VLCPUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Both EFA and their associated VLCPUFA metabolites are important for various body functions, including growth, immunity function, and cognitive development [17,18].…”