The influence of fasting on energy and nutrient intake and their corresponding food sources among 6-23 months old children in rural communities with high burden of stunting from Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Limited studies in Ethiopia showed that infants and young children are at high risk of inadequate intake of energy and nutrients. However, inclusive assessment of both nutrient intakes and their food sources are lacking. We aimed at assessing energy and nutrient intakes and their food sources during religious fasting and non-fasting periods among 6–23 months old children in Northern Ethiopia. Methods Data for this longitudinal study were collected following repeated multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall technique through face-to-face interviews with primary caregivers. Using a two-stage systematic random sampling method, a total of 570 and 551 children participated respectively in the lent fasting and non-fasting periods. Energy and nutrient intakes were estimated and compared with WHO daily requirements. All foods that a child consumed on the day preceding the date of data collection were recorded and processed with database software. Chi-square and t- tests were used to analyze the data. Non-normally distributed data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The overall prevalence of child stunting was 41.4%. Almost all of children (99.6%) consumed grains, roots, and tubers. The inadequacy prevalence of energy, protein and eight selected micronutrients (calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C) intake were 96.2, 44.9, and 95.5%, respectively. Calcium and zinc were the highest (100%) deficits observed across all age groups. Although consumption of animal source foods (ASFs) was very low (dairy 10.1%, meat 2.3% and eggs 23.6%), there was significantly higher consumption of meat and eggs during the non-fasting compared to fasting period (p < 0.001). Conclusions Inadequate intake of energy and nutrients was common among 6–23 months old children. Cereals were found to be the main sources of many of the nutrients. The consumption of ASFs among 6–23-month-old children was low which was also affected by the religious fasting period. Hence, strengthening social and behavior change communication, supporting rural households to raise poultry and small ruminants is recommended.

Suboptimal feeding practices and impaired growth among children in largely food insecure areas of north Wollo, Ethiopia

“…Our dietary intake data showed that, except for median total protein, Fe only when moderate bioavailability was assumed and niacin intakes, energy and selected micronutrients deficits were widespread in studied children compared with the WHO estimated needs ( 21 ) . Shortfalls of energy and growth-limiting nutrients such as Zn, Ca, riboflavin and vitamin A, when compared with their needs from complementary foods as estimated by WHO, are not unexpected, and are parallel with earlier studies from Sub-Saharan African countries ( 37 , 38 ) . In Ethiopia and most Sub-Saharan African countries, however, unrefined cereal or plant-based complementary foods are predominant with little consumption of nutrient-dense foods such as vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables and ASF ( 26 , 39 , 40 ) .…”

Educational intervention and livestock ownership successfully improved the intake of animal source foods in 6–23 months old children in rural communities of Northern Ethiopia: Quasi-experimental study

“…However, no child was consuming meat during the baseline and even it was very low at endline despite being dense in a wide range of quality protein and micronutrients (such as zinc, iron, and vitamin A) linked to child growth and cognitive development [49]. It is likely that meat consumption increases as infants' age increase [32]. In line with the current study, earlier reports from Ethiopia revealed that low consumption of meat among infants and young children were widespread [10,14,50], which could be explained by the low access and high price hampers its consumption [8,51,52].…”

“…Breastfeeding children were selected because continued breastfeeding rates at two years were high (92.4%) at the regional level [14]. And six to eight months age children were included, because the consumption level of ASFs among them was extremely low in the study area [32].…”

“…An interventional study was designed to assess the effectiveness of community-based nutrition education in improving the consumption of ASFs among 6-23 months old children in the study area. Based on the previously assessed barriers and available resources for optimal consumption of ASFs among 6-23 months old children in the study area [8,32], it was invited to form the basis of a logic framework for a multifaceted intervention. It was postulated that community engagement would increase the low consumption of ASFs among young children…”

Quality and Nutrient Loss in the Cooking Vegetable and Its Implications for Food and Nutrition Security in Ethiopia: A Review

“…54 Ethiopian religions have a significant impact on vegetable consumption, and people with strong religious beliefs are more likely to buy fat-free, sugar-free, or gluten-free foods than natural or organic foods. 27 Religious beliefs influence a person's value system, traditions, and food practices, which in turn can influence food choices, and the degree of a person's devotion to his religion can influence whether he adopts the eating habits of that religion. Therefore, religious issues can have a major impact on the food we buy, sell and consume.…”