Effect of biscuits fortified with different doses of vitamin A on indices of vitamin A status, haemoglobin and physical growth levels of pre-school children in Chongqing

Secular Trends in the Prevalence of and Disability-Adjusted Life Years Due to Common Micronutrient Deficiencies in China From 1990 to 2019: An Age-Period-Cohort Study and Joinpoint Analysis

Background

Understanding the national burdens and trends of micronutrient deficiencies can help guide effective intervention strategies. However, there is a lack of evidence of secular trends and age and sex differences in China. This study aims to elucidate trends in common micronutrient deficiencies, in particular, dietary iron, iodine and vitamin A deficiencies in China, from 1990 to 2019 using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study data.

Methods

Prevalence and DALYs trends of common micronutrient deficiencies from 1990 to 2019 were assessed by joinpoint regression analysis. Age, period and cohort effects on the prevalence of common micronutrient deficiencies were estimated by an age-period-cohort model.

Results

From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized prevalence rates of iodine, vitamin A and dietary iron deficiencies changed by −0.6% (95% CI: −0.7% to −0.5%), −6.3% (−6.6% to −6.0%), and −3.5% (−3.6% to −3.4%) in males and + 0.8% (+ 0.6% to + 1.0%), −4.5% (−4.8% to −4.2%), and −3.3% (−3.4% to −3.2%) in females, respectively. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in the iodine deficiency prevalence increased in females aged 20 years and older. The relative risk (RR) of iodine deficiency associated with the age effect peaked at 30–34 years of age and then decreased with increasing age. The RR of vitamin A deficiency decreased with age. The age distribution of the RR of iron deficiency differed significantly between sexes. The RRs of vitamin A deficiency and dietary iron deficiency decreased over time, whereas the RR of iodine deficiency substantially increased starting in 2004. The RRs of iodine deficiency and dietary iron deficiency associated with the cohort effect decreased, but the vitamin A deficiency prevalence increased in successive birth cohorts.

Conclusion

Micronutrient deficiency prevalence rates and associated DALYs decreased from 1990 to 2019 in China. Young adults, children aged less than 5 years, and older individuals were disproportionately affected by iodine, vitamin A, and dietary iron deficiencies, respectively. The results of this study may help identify individuals who would benefit from interventions to improve micronutrient deficiency.

Effectiveness of Food Fortification in Improving Nutritional Status of Mothers and Children in Indonesia

Food fortification programs have been conducted in several countries to overcome micronutrient deficiency and related problems with various degrees of effectiveness. Available information regarding the success of food fortification programs in some developing countries, including Indonesia, is still limited. Thus, this study conducts a systematic review of the effects of food fortification of mothers and children using biochemical and anthropometric measures focusing on linear growth. Three databases were used in the literature search, namely PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Fifteen articles were included for analysis from 517 studies found consisting of Indonesian and English articles published from 2000 to June 2020. Fortification of iron, vitamin A, and iodine can increase the level of hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum retinol and median urine iodine excretion, especially in toddlers and schoolchildren. However, multinutrient fortification interventions were associated with various effects on hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum retinol but a positive association was found with linear growth indicators in the form of body length for age. The effectiveness of food fortification in reducing the prevalence of stunting still needs more and stronger evidence through studies with large sample size and longer duration.

Micronutrient Fortification of Commercially Available Biscuits Is Predicted to Have Minimal Impact on Prevalence of Inadequate Micronutrient Intakes: Modeling of National Dietary Data From Cameroon

BACKGROUND

Voluntarily fortified snack products are increasingly available but are not necessarily formulated to meet known dietary nutrient gaps, so potential impacts on population micronutrient intake adequacy are uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

We modeled the impacts of hypothetical micronutrient-fortified biscuits on inadequate micronutrient intake in children and women of reproductive age (WRA) in Cameroon.

METHODS

In a nationally representative survey stratified by macro-region (North, South, and Yaoundé/Douala), 24-h dietary recall data were collected from 883 children aged 12-59 mo and from 912 WRA. We estimated usual nutrient intake by the National Cancer Institute method for vitamin A, folate, vitamin B-12, zinc, and iron. We simulated the impact of biscuit fortification on prevalence of micronutrient intake below the estimated average requirement, given observed biscuit consumption, in the presence and absence of large-scale food fortification (LSFF) programs.

RESULTS

Biscuit consumption in the prior 24-h by children and WRA, respectively, ranged from 4.5% and 1.5% in the South, to 20.7% and 5.9% in Yaoundé/Douala. In the absence of LSFF programs, biscuits fortified with retinol (600 μg/100 g), folic acid (300 μg/100 g), and zinc (8 mg/100 g) were predicted to reduce the prevalence of inadequacy among children by 10.3 ± 4.4, 13.2 ± 4.2, and 12.0 ± 6.1 percentage points, respectively, in Yaoundé/Douala. However, when existing vitamin A-fortified oil, and folic acid-fortified and zinc-fortified wheat flour programs were considered, the additional impacts of fortified biscuits were reduced substantially. Micronutrient-fortified biscuits were predicted to have minimal impact on dietary inadequacy in WRA, with or without LSFF programs.

CONCLUSIONS

Given observed patterns of biscuit consumption in Cameroon, biscuit fortification is unlikely to reduce dietary inadequacy of studied micronutrients, except possibly for selected nutrients in children in urban areas in the absence of LSFF programs. As voluntary fortification becomes increasingly common, modeling studies could help guide efforts to ensure that fortified products align with public health goals.

Fortification of staple foods with vitamin A for vitamin A deficiency

BACKGROUND

Vitamin A deficiency is a significant public health problem in many low- and middle-income countries, especially affecting young children, women of reproductive age, and pregnant women. Fortification of staple foods with vitamin A has been used to increase vitamin A consumption among these groups.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of fortifying staple foods with vitamin A for reducing vitamin A deficiency and improving health-related outcomes in the general population older than two years of age.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following international databases with no language or date restrictions: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 6) in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE and MEDLINE In Process OVID; Embase OVID; CINAHL Ebsco; Web of Science (ISI) SCI, SSCI, CPCI-exp and CPCI-SSH; BIOSIS (ISI); POPLINE; Bibliomap; TRoPHI; ASSIA (Proquest); IBECS; SCIELO; Global Index Medicus - AFRO and EMRO; LILACS; PAHO; WHOLIS; WPRO; IMSEAR; IndMED; and Native Health Research Database. We also searched clinicaltrials.gov and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to identify ongoing and unpublished studies. The date of the last search was 19 July 2018.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included individually or cluster-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in this review. The intervention included fortification of staple foods (sugar, edible oils, edible fats, maize flour or corn meal, wheat flour, milk and dairy products, and condiments and seasonings) with vitamin A alone or in combination with other vitamins and minerals. We included the general population older than two years of age (including pregnant and lactating women) from any country.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently screened and assessed eligibility of studies for inclusion, extracted data from included studies and assessed their risk of bias. We used standard Cochrane methodology to carry out the review.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 10 randomised controlled trials involving 4455 participants. All the studies were conducted in low- and upper-middle income countries where vitamin A deficiency was a public health issue. One of the included trials did not contribute data to the outcomes of interest.Three trials compared provision of staple foods fortified with vitamin A versus unfortified staple food, five trials compared provision of staple foods fortified with vitamin A plus other micronutrients versus unfortified staple foods, and two trials compared provision of staple foods fortified with vitamin A plus other micronutrients versus no intervention. No studies compared staple foods fortified with vitamin A alone versus no intervention.The duration of interventions ranged from three to nine months. We assessed six studies at high risk of bias overall. Government organisations, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and academic institutions funded the included studies; funding source does not appear to have distorted the results.Staple food fortified with vitamin A versus unfortified staple food We are uncertain whether fortifying staple foods with vitamin A alone makes little or no difference for serum retinol concentration (mean difference (MD) 0.03 μmol/L, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.12; 3 studies, 1829 participants; I² = 90%, very low-certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether vitamin A alone reduces the risk of subclinical vitamin A deficiency (risk ratio (RR) 0.45, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.05; 2 studies; 993 participants; I² = 33%, very low-certainty evidence). The certainty of the evidence was mainly affected by risk of bias, imprecision and inconsistency.It is uncertain whether vitamin A fortification reduces clinical vitamin A deficiency, defined as night blindness (RR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.98; 1 study, 581 participants, very low-certainty evidence). The certainty of the evidence was mainly affected by imprecision, inconsistency, and risk of bias.Staple foods fortified with vitamin A versus no intervention No studies provided data for this comparison.Staple foods fortified with vitamin A plus other micronutrients versus same unfortified staple foods Fortifying staple foods with vitamin A plus other micronutrients may not increase the serum retinol concentration (MD 0.08 μmol/L, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.22; 4 studies; 1009 participants; I² = 95%, low-certainty evidence). The certainty of the evidence was mainly affected by serious inconsistency and risk of bias.In comparison to unfortified staple foods, fortification with vitamin A plus other micronutrients probably reduces the risk of subclinical vitamin A deficiency (RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.49; 3 studies; 923 participants; I² = 0%; moderate-certainty evidence). The certainty of the evidence was mainly affected by serious risk of bias.Staple foods fortified with vitamin A plus other micronutrients versus no interventionFortification of staple foods with vitamin A plus other micronutrients may increase serum retinol concentration (MD 0.22 μmol/L, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.30; 2 studies; 318 participants; I² = 0%; low-certainty evidence). When compared to no intervention, it is uncertain whether the intervention reduces the risk of subclinical vitamin A deficiency (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.98; 2 studies; 318 participants; I² = 0%; very low-certainty evidence) . The certainty of the evidence was affected mainly by serious imprecision and risk of bias.No trials reported on the outcomes of all-cause morbidity, all-cause mortality, adverse effects, food intake, congenital anomalies (for pregnant women), or breast milk concentration (for lactating women).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Fortifying staple foods with vitamin A alone may make little or no difference to serum retinol concentrations or the risk of subclinical vitamin A deficiency. In comparison with provision of unfortified foods, provision of staple foods fortified with vitamin A plus other micronutrients may not increase serum retinol concentration but probably reduces the risk of subclinical vitamin A deficiency.Compared to no intervention, staple foods fortified with vitamin A plus other micronutrients may increase serum retinol concentration, although it is uncertain whether the intervention reduces the risk of subclinical vitamin A deficiency as the certainty of the evidence has been assessed as very low.It was not possible to estimate the effect of staple food fortification on outcomes such as mortality, morbidity, adverse effects, congenital anomalies, or breast milk vitamin A, as no trials included these outcomes.The type of funding source for the studies did not appear to distort the results from the analysis.

Effect of vitamin A supplementation on iron status in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Anemia is a worldwide public health problem that can be related to many causes, including vitamin A deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess and estimate the effect of vitamin A supplementation (VAS) on iron status biomarkers and anemia in humans. Six databases, including Cochrane, EMBASE, LILACS, Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science, were searched for clinical trials and cohort studies that investigated the effect of vitamin A supplementation alone on iron status and anemia, without time-restriction. The search yielded 23 eligible studies, 21 clinical trials and 2 cohort studies, with children, teenagers, pregnant or lactating women. The meta-analysis of the clinical trials showed that VAS reduces the risk of anemia by 26% and raises hemoglobin levels, compared to non-treated group, independent of the life stage. VAS did not alter the prevalence of iron deficiency among the clinical trials conducted with children and teenagers (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.12, p = 0.204), whereas a significant increase in serum ferritin levels was observed in trials conducted with pregnant and lactating women (WMD 6.61 μg/L; 95% CI 6.00 to 7.21 μg/L; p < 0.001). Therefore, vitamin A supplementation alone may reduce the risk of anemia, by improving hemoglobin and ferritin levels in individuals with low serum retinol levels.

The MFFAPP Tanzania Efficacy Study Protocol: Newly Formulated, Extruded, Fortified Blended Foods for Food Aid

Fortified blended foods (FBFs) are micronutrient-fortified blends of milled cereals and pulses that represent the most commonly distributed micronutrient-fortified food aid. FBFs have been criticized due to lack of efficacy in treating undernutrition, and it has also been suggested that alternative commodities, such as sorghum and cowpea, be investigated instead of corn and soybean. The Micronutrient Fortified Food Aid Pilot Project (MFFAPP) Tanzania efficacy study was the culmination of economic, processing, sensory, and nutrition FBF research and development. MFFAPP Tanzania was a 20-wk, partially randomized cluster design conducted between February and July 2016 that enrolled children aged 6-53 mo in the Mara region of Tanzania with weight-for-height z scores >-3 and hemoglobin concentrations <10.3 mg/dL. The intervention was complementary feeding of newly formulated, extruded FBFs (white sorghum cowpea variety 1, white sorghum-cowpea variety 2, red sorghum-cowpea, white sorghum-soy blend, and corn-soy blend 14) compared with Corn Soy Blend Plus (CSB+), a current US Agency for International Development-distributed corn-soy blend, and a no-FBF-receiving control. Screened participants (n = 2050) were stratified by age group (6-23 and 24-53 mo) and allocated to 1 of 7 FBF clusters provided biweekly. Biochemical and anthropometric data were measured every 10 wk at weeks 0, 10, and 20. The primary objectives of this study were to determine whether newly formulated, extruded corn-, soy-, sorghum-, and cowpea-based FBFs result in equivalent vitamin A or iron outcomes compared with CSB+. Changes in anthropometric outcomes were also examined. Results from the MFFAPP Tanzania Efficacy Study will inform food aid producers and distributers about whether extruded sorghum- and cowpea-based FBFs are viable options for improving the health of the undernourished. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02847962.

Role of Vitamin A/Retinoic Acid in Regulation of Embryonic and Adult Hematopoiesis

Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient throughout life. Its physiologically active metabolite retinoic acid (RA), acting through nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs), is a potent regulator of patterning during embryonic development, as well as being necessary for adult tissue homeostasis. Vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy increases risk of maternal night blindness and anemia and may be a cause of congenital malformations. Childhood Vitamin A deficiency can cause xerophthalmia, lower resistance to infection and increased risk of mortality. RA signaling appears to be essential for expression of genes involved in developmental hematopoiesis, regulating the endothelial/blood cells balance in the yolk sac, promoting the hemogenic program in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros area and stimulating eryrthropoiesis in fetal liver by activating the expression of erythropoietin. In adults, RA signaling regulates differentiation of granulocytes and enhances erythropoiesis. Vitamin A may facilitate iron absorption and metabolism to prevent anemia and plays a key role in mucosal immune responses, modulating the function of regulatory T cells. Furthermore, defective RA/RARα signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia due to a failure in differentiation of promyelocytes. This review focuses on the different roles played by vitamin A/RA signaling in physiological and pathological mouse hematopoiesis duddurring both, embryonic and adult life, and the consequences of vitamin A deficiency for the blood system.

Correlation between Nutrition and Symptoms: Nutritional Survey of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Chongqing, China

Restricted diets and inadequate nutrient intake of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been reported. This study examined the nutritional statuses of children with ASD and the relationships between their behaviors and nutritional intake. A total of 154 children with ASD (age = 5.21 ± 1.83 years) and 73 typically-developing (TD) children (age = 4.83 ± 0.84 years) from Chongqing, China, were enrolled. The severity of ASD was evaluated using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). The serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, 25(OH) vitamin D, and vitamin A concentrations in the children with ASD were determined. All participants underwent anthropometric examinations, dietary assessments, and questionnaire assessments about their feeding behaviors, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The ZHA, ZWA, and ZBMIA were found to be significantly lower in the children with ASD compared with those without ASD. In addition, the percentages of children exhibiting severe picky eating and severe resistance to new foods, as well as those with a reported general impression of severe eating problems and constipation, were higher among the children with ASD. These children consumed significantly fewer macronutrients compared with the children without ASD. In addition, the children with ASD had the highest rate of vitamin A deficiency, followed by iron deficiency. After adjusting for sex, the vitamin A concentration was found to be negatively correlated with the CARS score (rs = -0.222, p = 0.021). No correlation between the ferritin, folate, vitamin D, or vitamin B12 concentration and the CARS score was found. These results suggest that reduced macronutrient intakes, severe feeding behavior issues, constipation, and vitamin A deficiency are quite common among children with ASD. Further, a low serum vitamin A level may be a risk factor for symptoms of ASD. However, the underlying mechanism should be further studied.

Effect of vitamin A and Zn supplementation on indices of vitamin A status, haemoglobin level and defecation of children with persistent diarrhea

To investigate the effect of vitamin A and Zn supplementation on vitamin A status, haemoglobin level and defecation of children with persistent diarrhea, a total of 160 paediatric patients were randomly assigned to one of four intervention groups: daily supplementation of 1,500 IU VA for 14 days; daily Zn supplementation for 14 days; daily supplementation with both VA and Zn for 14 days; no supplementation. One hundred twenty-seven children with persistent diarrhea finished intervention (33 were lost to follow-up). Among the 127 children, 41 (32.28%) had anaemia, 104 (81.89%) had a VA deficiency and 38 (29.92%) had an iron insufficiency. Supplementation with VA or VA + Zn enhanced the serum VA levels and ameliorated anaemia. Supplementation with Zn and VA + Zn for 5 days significantly improved defecation, where the VA + Zn treatment resulted in superior outcomes. After 14 days of intervention, the total effectiveness rates were 93.94%, 96.77% and 96.67% in the three groups, significantly greater than that of the non-supplementation group (72.73%). These results indicate that single VA or concurrent VA + Zn supplementation can improve vitamin A status, haemoglobin level and defecation. However, concurrent VA + Zn supplementation is the optimal option and can shorten the duration of persistent diarrhea and markedly improve nutritional status. (www.clinicaltrials.gov registration number: ChiCTR-IOR-14005498)

Effect of single-dose albendazole and vitamin A supplementation on the iron status of pre-school children in Sichuan, China

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of single-dose albendazole and vitamin A intervention on the anaemic status and Fe metabolism of pre-school children. This study was a randomised, placebo-controlled and double-blinded intervention trial. All eligible anaemic pre-school children were randomly divided into three groups: group 1 received no intervention, which served as the control group, group 2 received 400 mg single-dose albendazole administration and group 3 received a 60000 μg vitamin A capsule combined with 400 mg single-dose albendazole at the beginning of the study. The follow-up period was for 6 months. Anthropometry and biochemical index about Fe metabolism were measured before and after intervention. A total of 209 pre-school anaemic children were randomly divided into three intervention groups (sixty-four, sixty-two and sixty for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively). The mean age of the children in the study was 4·4 (sd 0·7) years and 50·5 % of the children were female (94/186). After a follow-up period of 6 months, the levels of serum retinol, ferritin, transferrin receptor-ferritin index and body total Fe content of children in group 3 were significantly higher compared with children in groups 1 and 2 (P<0·05). Moreover, the proportion of vitamin A deficiency, marginal vitamin A deficiency and Fe deficiency among children in group 3 were markedly lower compared with children in groups 1 and 2 (P<0·05). Albendazole plus vitamin A administration showed more efficacy on the improvement of serum retinol and Fe metabolic status.

The phenomenon of micronutrient deficiency among children in China: a systematic review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to review the literature on micronutrient deficiency and other factors influencing a deficiency status among children living in China.

DESIGN

A systematic review was performed to analyse the literature.

SETTING

Studies were identified through a search of PubMed and secondary references.

SUBJECTS

Children living in China aged less than 18 years.

RESULTS

Sixty-one articles were included. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency decreased to approximately 10 % in 1995-2009. It increased with age but no significant difference was found between genders. The prevalence of thiamin and vitamin B12 deficiency was 10·5 % in Yunnan and 4·5 % in Chongqing provinces, respectively. Higher vitamin D deficiency rates were seen in spring and winter. The incidence of bleeding due to vitamin K deficiency was 3·3 % in 1998-2001 and more prevalent in rural areas. Both iodine deficiency and excess iodine intake were observed. Goitre rates were reported in Tibet, Jiangxi, Gansu and Hong Kong (3·5-46 %). Anaemia rates ranged from 20 % to 40 % in 2007-2011. High Se deficiency rates were found in Tibet, Shaanxi and Jiangsu. High Zn deficiency rates were also found (50-70 %) in 1995-2006. Few studies reported Ca deficiency rates (19·6-34·3 %). The degrees of deficiency for vitamin A, vitamin B12, Fe and Zn were more substantial in rural areas compared with urban areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of micronutrient deficiency rates varied. Socio-economic status, environmental factors and the Chinese diet may influence micronutrient deficiency. Public health policies should consider implementing programmes of supplementation, food fortification and nutrition education to address these deficiencies among Chinese children.

Índices antropométricos e retinolemia em crianças menores de cinco anos do e Estado da Paraíba

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre os índices antropométricos e os níveis de retinol sérico em crianças menores de cinco anos do Estado da Paraíba. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal, de base populacional, envolvendo 1 205 crianças. O estado nutricional de vitamina A foi avaliado pelas concentrações séricas de retinol. O estado nutricional antropométrico foi avaliado utilizando-se os índices peso/altura e altura/idade. RESULTADOS: Crianças na faixa etária de 6 a 12 meses com deficit de altura apresentaram concentrações de retinol sérico significantemente inferiores quando comparadas às crianças sem deficit de altura (p=0,02). CONCLUSÃO: A associação observada entre deficit de altura e menores níveis de retinol sérico em crianças de menor faixa etária mostra a maior vulnerabilidade desse grupo para sofrer deficits vitamínicos e de crescimento.

Micronutrient fortification of food and its impact on woman and child health: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Vitamins and minerals are essential for growth and metabolism. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 2 billion people are deficient in key vitamins and minerals. Groups most vulnerable to these micronutrient deficiencies are pregnant and lactating women and young children, given their increased demands. Food fortification is one of the strategies that has been used safely and effectively to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was done to identify all available evidence for the impact of fortification interventions. Studies were included if food was fortified with a single, dual or multiple micronutrients and impact of fortification was analyzed on the health outcomes and relevant biochemical indicators of women and children. We performed a meta-analysis of outcomes using Review Manager Software version 5.1.

RESULTS

Our systematic review identified 201 studies that we reviewed for outcomes of relevance. Fortification for children showed significant impacts on increasing serum micronutrient concentrations. Hematologic markers also improved, including hemoglobin concentrations, which showed a significant rise when food was fortified with vitamin A, iron and multiple micronutrients. Fortification with zinc had no significant adverse impact on hemoglobin levels. Multiple micronutrient fortification showed non-significant impacts on height for age, weight for age and weight for height Z-scores, although they showed positive trends. The results for fortification in women showed that calcium and vitamin D fortification had significant impacts in the post-menopausal age group. Iron fortification led to a significant increase in serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels in women of reproductive age and pregnant women. Folate fortification significantly reduced the incidence of congenital abnormalities like neural tube defects without increasing the incidence of twinning. The number of studies pooled for zinc and multiple micronutrients for women were few, though the evidence suggested benefit. There was a dearth of evidence for the impact of fortification strategies on morbidity and mortality outcomes in women and children.

CONCLUSION

Fortification is potentially an effective strategy but evidence from the developing world is scarce. Programs need to assess the direct impact of fortification on morbidity and mortality.

Processamento de biscoitos adicionados de óleo de buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.): uma alternativa para o consumo de alimentos fontes de vitamina A na merenda escolar

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver biscoitos tipo cookie adicionado de óleo de buriti a fim de se analisarem sua aceitação sensorial e seu valor nutricional, visando a sua utilização na merenda escolar, bem como avaliar o consumo de alimentos fontes de vitamina A por escolares. MÉTODOS: Uma formulação-controle (15% de óleo de soja) e duas formulações experimentais (7,5% e 15% de óleo de buriti) foram produzidas e avaliadas quanto à composição centesimal, conteúdo de vitamina A e aceitação sensorial, testada por 201 escolares. Avaliou-se também o consumo de alimentos fontes de vitamina A por esses escolares mediante questionário semiquantitativo contendo 28 alimentos considerados fontes da referida vitamina. RESULTADOS: O biscoito elaborado com 15% de óleo de buriti obteve boa aceitação, e apresenta maior percentual de proteínas, de minerais e de vitamina A, podendo ser considerado fonte deste último nutriente. Observou-se uma maior frequência de consumo de alimentos com baixo teor de vitamina A, como também uma menor frequência de consumo dos frutos da região Nordeste. CONCLUSÃO: Os biscoitos adicionados de óleo de buriti podem ser uma alternativa de inclusão de alimentos fontes de vitamina A na dieta de escolares, no entanto o consumo de frutas e hortaliças fontes dessa vitamina deve ser estimulado, tendo em vista que os escolares consomem pouca variedade de alimentos fontes dessa vitamina, o que aumenta o risco de deficiência a longo prazo.