Local foods can meet micronutrient needs for women in urban Burkina Faso, but only if rarely consumed micronutrient‐dense foods are included in daily diets: A linear programming exercise

Abstract

Women of reproductive age are at nutritional risk due to their need for nutrient-dense diets. Risk is further elevated in resource-poor environments. In one such environment, we evaluated feasibility of meeting micronutrient needs of women of reproductive age using local foods alone or using local foods and supplements, while minimizing cost. Based on dietary recall data from Ouagadougou, we used linear programming to identify the lowest cost options for meeting 10 micronutrient intake recommendations, while also meeting energy needs and following an acceptable macronutrient intake pattern. We modeled scenarios with maximum intake per food item constrained at the 75th percentile of reported intake and also with more liberal maxima based on recommended portions per day, with and without the addition of supplements. Some scenarios allowed only commonly consumed foods (reported on at least 10% of recall days). We modeled separately for pregnant, lactating, and nonpregnant, nonlactating women. With maxima constrained to the 75th percentile, all micronutrient needs could be met with local foods but only when several nutrient-dense but rarely consumed items were included in daily diets. When only commonly consumed foods were allowed, micronutrient needs could not be met without supplements. When larger amounts of common animal-source foods were allowed, all needs could be met for nonpregnant, nonlactating women but not for pregnant or lactating women, without supplements. We conclude that locally available foods could meet micronutrient needs but that to achieve this, strategies would be needed to increase consistent availability in markets, consistent economic access, and demand.

Dietary intake and processes of behaviour change in a nutrition education intervention for pregnant women in rural Malawi: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

“…Among the animal foods, meat, dairy, eggs and anchovy are the richest sources of micronutrients. In plant foods, the highest levels of micronutrients are found in seeds/nuts, dark leafy vegetables and vitamin A and C-rich fruits (18) .…”

“…Foodbased approaches may be the preferred strategy because they are more sustainable, economically feasible and culturally acceptable and can be used to alleviate several micronutrient deficiencies simultaneously, without inducing antagonistic micronutrient interactions (21) . However, there are limitations with the effectiveness of food-based interventions, especially when the diets are inadequate in nutrients (18,20) , also because most nutrients might be wasted through limited absorption in the gut (20,21) . There is thus a need for more sustainable and low-cost community-based nutrition interventions, especially those utilising nutrient-dense foods that are locally produced.…”

Realistic Food-Based Approaches Alone May Not Ensure Dietary Adequacy for Women and Young Children in South-East Asia

“…In addition, it identifies nutrients that are likely to remain low in diets based only on local foods (i.e., problem nutrients). LP has been used to identify problem nutrients and formulate FBRs, for young children and women of reproductive age, in geographically limited areas of Asian and African countries (Arimond, Vitta, Martin-Prével, Moursi, & Dewey, 2017) (Raymond, Kassim, Rose, & Agaba, 2017) (Fahmida, Santika, Kolopaking, & Ferguson, 2014) (Hlaing et al, 2016) (Hlaing et al, 2016) (Hlaing et al, 2016) (Ferguson, Chege, Kimiywe, Wiesmann, & Hotz, 2015) (Santika, Fahmida, & Ferguson, 2009). This study will be the first to make intercountry comparisons, using nationally representative datasets for women of reproductive age and young children.…”

The Impact of Local Agrobiodiversity and Food Interventions on Cost, Nutritional Adequacy, and Affordability of Women and Children's Diet in Northern Kenya: A Modeling Exercise

“…Termote et al (24) also revealed a lack of iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin B 6 in CoD modeled diets in Baringo, Kenya. In a study done by Arimond et al (43) in Burkina Faso, the authors indicated that recommended intakes for iron, vitamin B 2, B 6 , and B 12 , folate and calcium are difficult to achieve through local food sources. This implies that iron is a primary missing nutrient in diets across countries.…”