Influence of carotene-rich vegetable meals on the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency in Filipino schoolchildren

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of eating carotene-rich green and yellow vegetables on the prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia in schoolchildren. Subjects and methods: Schoolchildren (n ¼ 104), aged 9-12 years, received standardized meals containing 4.2 mg of provitamin A carotenoids/day (mainly b-carotene) from yellow and green leafy vegetables and at least 7 g dietary fat/day. The meals were provided three times/day, 5 days/week, for 9 weeks at school. Before and after the dietary intervention, total-body vitamin A pool size was assessed by using the deuterated-retinol-dilution method; serum retinol and b-carotene concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography; and whole blood haemoglobin (Hb) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) concentrations were measured by using a photometer and a hematofluorometer, respectively. Results: After 9 weeks, the mean total-body vitamin A pool size increased twofold (95% confidence interval (CI): À0.11, À0.07 mmol retinol; Po0.001), and serum b-carotene concentration increased fivefold (95% CI: À0.97, À0.79 mmol/l; Po0.001). Blood Hb (95% CI: À1.02, À0.52 g per 100 ml; Po0.001) and ZnPP increased (95% CI: À11.82, À4.57 mmol/mol haem; Po0.001). The prevalence of anaemia (Hbo11.5 g per 100 ml) decreased from 12.5 to 1.9% (Po0.001). There were no significant changes in the prevalence of iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anaemia. Conclusions: Ingestion of carotene-rich yellow and green leafy vegetables improves the total-body vitamin A pool size and Hb concentration, and decreases anaemia rates in Filipino schoolchildren, with no effect on iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anaemia rates.

Poor nutritional status of schoolchildren in urban and peri-urban areas of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

“…The high prevalence of anaemia could be a great threat for school-children, particularly since it was combined with VAD in one out of five children (20.2%) in our study. Indeed iron deficiency and VAD are interrelated [54-56]. In contrast, we detected no goitre using the palpation method recommended by WHO [36], which likely reflects the effectiveness of the salt iodization strategy of the past several decades [57].…”

Predisposing, facilitating and reinforcing factors of healthy and unhealthy food consumption in schoolchildren: a study in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

“…The American Dietetic Association recommends for children aged 4-13 years daily intakes of 1.5 servings of fruits and 1-2.5 servings of vegetables (28). The low rates of fruit and vegetable consumption observed in schoolchildren should raise great concern if we consider the importance of fruits and vegetables for the prevention of chronic diseases (10) and micronutrient deficiencies (5). Moreover, a sizeable number of schoolchildren had not once over the week consumed several of the healthy foods included in our study (1/4 of them for fruits, and 1/5 for meat and for legumes).…”

Investment in child and adolescent health and development: key messages from Disease Control Priorities , 3rd Edition

“…The introduction of orange-flesh sweet potato in meals, for example, improved vitamin A status in South Africa (van Jaarsveld and others 2005), while consumption of carotene-rich yellow and green leafy vegetables improved vitamin A and hemoglobin concentration and decreased anemia rates in Filipino schoolchildren (Maramag and others 2010). The incorporation of locally available, micronutrient-rich foods may also promote local agriculture.…”