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Bhandari S, Frongillo EA, Suwal R, Schreinemachers P, Gupta AS, Blake CE, Tiwari NP, Cunningham K. Sustaining Agriculture and Nutrition Interventions: Continued Engagement of Village Model Farmers in Nepal. Food Nutr Bull 2022; 43:412-428. [PMID: 35726207 DOI: 10.1177/03795721221106588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In homestead food production (HFP) programs, village model farmers (VMFs), after training, implement agriculture and nutrition activities to improve household knowledge and practices. Little evidence exists on what enables VMFs to remain actively engaged and for impacts to be sustained. OBJECTIVE To examine variables explaining active engagement of VMFs, at least 4 years post-training, in an HFP program in Nepal. METHODS We used cross-sectional data, collected from 2018 to 2019, among 4750 VMFs of Suaahara, a multisectoral nutrition program. We assessed whether respondents registered their HFP group with the local government, conducted regular group meetings, discussed vegetable growing and chicken rearing practices with group members, or engaged in saving and credit activities in their HFP group. Outcome variable was a count of these 4 activities in which the VMF engaged. Socioeconomic, demographic, and programmatic explanatory variables were identified a priori and by bivariate analysis and were adjusted in ordinal regression models accounting for clusters. RESULTS On average, VMFs engaged in 1.4 activities. Having attended primary or secondary school (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 1.39), being a female community health volunteer (AOR = 1.27), being from an advantaged caste/ethnic group (AOR = 1.34), receiving additional trainings (AOR = 1.56) and inputs (AOR = 1.31) were associated with more active engagement of VMFs. CONCLUSION Village model farmers receiving more training and inputs were more likely to remain actively engaged. Female community health workers, people from higher caste/ethnic groups, and those with primary or secondary education were more likely to remain active VMFs and could be targeted for this role in HFP programs leading to sustained impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Bhandari
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Edward A Frongillo
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Christine E Blake
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | | | - Kenda Cunningham
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Windus JL, Duncanson K, Burrows TL, Collins CE, Rollo ME. Review of dietary assessment studies conducted among Khmer populations living in Cambodia. J Hum Nutr Diet 2022; 35:901-918. [PMID: 35377499 PMCID: PMC9545030 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Despite economic growth, Cambodia continues to have high rates of malnutrition, anaemia and nutrition‐related deficiencies. Government policies promote nutrition strategies, although dietary intake data is limited. A detailed synthesis of existing intake data is needed to inform nutrition policy and practice change. This review aims to characterise and assess quality of dietary assessment methods and outcomes from individual‐level ‘whole diet’ studies of Khmer people living in Cambodia. Methods Searches were conducted using PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Included papers reported dietary intake at an individual level for ‘whole diet’. Studies using secondary data or lacking dietary assessment details were excluded. Extracted data included dietary assessment features, nutrient/food group intakes and database. Results Nineteen publications (15 studies) were included, with nine carried out among children under 5 years and six among women. Eleven studies reported intake by food groups and four by nutrients, prominently energy, protein, vitamin A, iron, calcium and zinc. Inconsistent intakes, food groupings and reporting of study characteristics limited data synthesis. All but one study used 24‐h recalls. Trained local fieldworkers used traditional interview‐administered data collection and varied portion estimation tools. Food composition databases for analysis were not tailored to the Cambodian diet. Overall quality was rated as ‘good’. Conclusions We recommend the development of a best‐practice protocol for conducting dietary assessment, a Cambodia‐specific food composition database and a competent trained workforce of nutrition professionals, with global support of expertise and funding for future dietary assessment studies conducted in Cambodia. Fifteen studies with highly variable intake data included in the review. The food composition databases used were not specific to Cambodian diet. Minimum reporting standards and best practice protocols recommended, including in‐country nutrition training. Lack of whole population dietary intake data indicates the need for a national survey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle L Windus
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Kerith Duncanson
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Tracy L Burrows
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Clare E Collins
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Megan E Rollo
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
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Depenbusch L, Schreinemachers P, Brown S, Roothaert R. Impact and distributional effects of a home garden and nutrition intervention in Cambodia. Food Secur 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12571-021-01235-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AbstractHome garden interventions combining training in agriculture and nutrition have the potential to increase vegetable production and consumption in lower-income countries, but there remains a need for better evidence for impact. This study contributes to filling this gap by evaluating the impact and distributional effects of a home garden intervention in Cambodia. We used a cluster randomized controlled trial with before and after data for a sample of 500 rural households with children under five and women 16–49 years old. Impact was estimated using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and conditional quantile regressions with non-parametric bounds. The results show that the intervention significantly increased the adoption of nearly all promoted gardening methods. More households (+ 35%; p < 0.01) produced vegetables, and the production period was extended by five months on average. One-month recall data show an increase in vegetables harvested (+ 25 kg; p < 0.01) and consumed (+ 10 kg; p < 0.01) from the garden. Quantile regressions confirm these findings and show that nearly all households benefitted, but households that were already doing better at baseline tended to benefit more. Seven-day recall data show an increase in the quantity of vegetables consumed (+ 61 g/day/capita; p < 0.01) and an increased quantity of vitamin A, folate, iron, and zinc contained in these vegetables. Women contributed more to the garden work than men and their time spent in the garden increased by 29 min/day on average. These results add further evidence that integrated home garden interventions can contribute to nutrition outcomes and that almost all participants can benefit.
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Gonzalez Parrao C, Shisler S, Moratti M, Yavuz C, Acharya A, Eyers J, Snilstveit B. Aquaculture for improving productivity, income, nutrition and women's empowerment in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2021; 17:e1195. [PMID: 37018454 PMCID: PMC8988765 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Background A steady increase in the international production and consumption of fish has positioned aquaculture as a development option. Previous literature has highlighted the potential of aquaculture to improve economic, nutritional and gender equality outcomes, however, the evidence on the effectiveness of these programmes remains unclear. Objectives The review assessed whether aquaculture interventions increase the productivity, income, nutrition, and women's empowerment of individuals. We additionally aimed to identify barriers and facilitators that could affect the effectiveness of these interventions, and the cost-effectiveness of such programmes. Methods We searched for experimental and quasi-experimental studies focused on low- and middle-income countries. We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Campbell Collaboration for the data collection and analysis. Results We identified 21 impact evaluations assessing the effect of 13 aquaculture interventions in low- and lower-middle income countries. Twelve of these studies have a high risk of bias. Aquaculture interventions lead to a small increase in the production value, income, total expenditures and food consumption of participants. The limited availability of evidence prevented us from assessing other nutritional and women's empowerment outcomes. We identified barriers and facilitators affecting the programmes' set up, the participation of beneficiaries, and the level of productive activities. Insufficient cost data hindered full comparisons across programmes. Conclusions The review suggests a lack of rigorous evidence assessing the effectiveness of aquaculture programmes. Future research could focus on evaluating nutrition and women's empowerment impacts, promoting reporting standards, and the use of cost data to continue building quality evidence around aquaculture interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marta Moratti
- International Initiative for Impact EvaluationLondonUK
| | - Cem Yavuz
- International Initiative for Impact EvaluationLondonUK
| | | | - John Eyers
- International Initiative for Impact EvaluationLondonUK
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Windus JL, Burrows TL, Duncanson K, Collins CE, Rollo ME. Scoping review of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment studies in Khmer populations living in Cambodia. J Hum Nutr Diet 2021; 34:953-968. [PMID: 34231266 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This scoping review aims to describe the body of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment research undertaken with Khmer populations in Cambodia, as well as summarise the nutrition knowledge base and highlight priority areas for future research. METHODS Five databases and the grey literature were searched, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies involving dietary assessment or nutrition interventions published after 1992 were identified using specific search terms and extracted to a customised data extraction table for categorisation and analysis. Study participants were Khmer people of any age and gender, living in rural or urban Cambodia. RESULTS Of the 100 included studies, 58 were dietary assessment only studies, 24 were nutrition interventions only, and 18 studies involved both assessment of intake and an intervention. Sixty-eight percent of study populations were mothers and young children, of which 52 studies focused on children aged under 5 years. Nineteen interventions involved supplementation and six trialled fortification of rice or fish sauce. Anaemia was the most common nutrition condition studied (n = 17), followed by malnutrition (n = 15) and malnutrition risk factors (n = 11). General nutrition status was explored in 25 studies, and individual micronutrients that were studied included iron (n = 27), zinc (n = 6), vitamin A (n = 4) and thiamine (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS Diet-related research in Khmer populations in Cambodia has predominantly focused on dietary assessment or evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing malnutrition and resolving micronutrient deficiencies. Areas identified as emerging needs included non-communicable diseases, the ageing population and non-iron deficiency anaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle L Windus
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Tracy L Burrows
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Kerith Duncanson
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Clare E Collins
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Megan E Rollo
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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Taha Z, Ali Hassan A, Wikkeling-Scott L, Papandreou D. Factors Associated with Delayed Initiation and Cessation of Breastfeeding Among Working Mothers in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. Int J Womens Health 2021; 13:539-548. [PMID: 34104003 PMCID: PMC8180278 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s303041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the enormous benefits of breastfeeding, working mothers face more challenges to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations regarding successful breastfeeding practices. Little research has been done to understand the breastfeeding practices among working mothers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with delayed initiation and cessation of breastfeeding among working mothers with children under the age of two years in Abu Dhabi, the UAE. METHODS A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted from March to September 2017. The study included both Emirati and non-Emirati mothers of children below the age of two years. The data were collected from seven government health care centers in Abu Dhabi as well as from the community. Mothers with young children attending the centers during the study days were approached by trained research assistants, who provided oral and written information about the study. RESULTS Among the 1610 mother-child pairs with complete data who were included in this study, 606 were working mothers giving an employment rate of 37.6%. The mean (standard deviation) of maternal age and children's age were 30.9 (5.1) years and 8.6 (6.1) months, respectively. Of the 606 mothers, 217 (35.8%) delayed initiation of breastfeeding, and 359 (59.2%) ceased breastfeeding. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors associated with delayed breastfeeding initiation among working mothers were older mother age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]1.01, 1.08), being of non-Arab nationality (AOR 2.24, 95% CI 1.53, 3.27), caesarean section (AOR 2.70, 95% CI 1.84, 3.96), non-rooming-in (AOR 3.85, 95% CI 1.56, 9.51) and mothers with low birth weight children (AOR 2.47, 95% CI 1.23, 4.94). The main factors associated with cessation of breastfeeding were being of non-Arab nationality (AOR 1.59, 95% CI 1.09, 2.31) and mother with high-income rating (AOR 2.79, 95% CI 1.36, 5.75). CONCLUSION The study highlighted the need for urgent actions to improve the working mothers' conditions in order to promote optimal breastfeeding practices, including both early initiation and continuation of breastfeeding among all mothers in the UAE regardless of employment status. Policies to improve EBF rates among professional working mothers should include maternity leave extension to enable mothers to continue breastfeeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Taha
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
| | - Ahmed Ali Hassan
- Department of Research, Taami for Agricultural and Animal Production, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ludmilla Wikkeling-Scott
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
| | - Dimitrios Papandreou
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
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Gallant J, Chan K, Green TJ, Wieringa FT, Leemaqz S, Ngik R, Measelle JR, Baldwin DA, Borath M, Sophonneary P, Yelland LN, Hampel D, Shahab-Ferdows S, Allen LH, Jones KS, Koulman A, Parkington DA, Meadows SR, Kroeun H, Whitfield KC. Low-dose thiamine supplementation of lactating Cambodian mothers improves human milk thiamine concentrations: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2021; 114:90-100. [PMID: 33829271 PMCID: PMC8246599 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infantile beriberi-related mortality is still common in South and Southeast Asia. Interventions to increase maternal thiamine intakes, and thus human milk thiamine, are warranted; however, the required dose remains unknown. OBJECTIVES We sought to estimate the dose at which additional maternal intake of oral thiamine no longer meaningfully increased milk thiamine concentrations in infants at 24 wk postpartum, and to investigate the impact of 4 thiamine supplementation doses on milk and blood thiamine status biomarkers. METHODS In this double-blind, 4-parallel arm randomized controlled dose-response trial, healthy mothers were recruited in Kampong Thom, Cambodia. At 2 wk postpartum, women were randomly assigned to consume 1 capsule, containing 0, 1.2 (estimated average requirement), 2.4, or 10 mg of thiamine daily from 2 through 24 weeks postpartum. Human milk total thiamine concentrations were measured using HPLC. An Emax curve was plotted, which was estimated using a nonlinear least squares model in an intention-to-treat analysis. Linear mixed-effects models were used to test for differences between treatment groups. Maternal and infant blood thiamine biomarkers were also assessed. RESULTS In total, each of 335 women was randomly assigned to1 of the following thiamine-dose groups: placebo (n = 83), 1.2 mg (n = 86), 2.4 mg (n = 81), and 10 mg (n = 85). The estimated dose required to reach 90% of the maximum average total thiamine concentration in human milk (191 µg/L) is 2.35 (95% CI: 0.58, 7.01) mg/d. The mean ± SD milk thiamine concentrations were significantly higher in all intervention groups (183 ± 91, 190 ± 105, and 206 ± 89 µg/L for 1.2, 2.4, and 10 mg, respectively) compared with the placebo group (153 ± 85 µg/L; P < 0.0001) and did not significantly differ from each other. CONCLUSIONS A supplemental thiamine dose of 2.35 mg/d was required to achieve a milk total thiamine concentration of 191 µg/L. However, 1.2 mg/d for 22 wk was sufficient to increase milk thiamine concentrations to similar levels achieved by higher supplementation doses (2.4 and 10 mg/d), and comparable to those of healthy mothers in regions without beriberi. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03616288.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelisa Gallant
- Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS Canada
| | - Kathleen Chan
- Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS Canada
| | - Tim J Green
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Frank T Wieringa
- UMR-204, Institut de recherche pour le développement, UM/IRD/SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Shalem Leemaqz
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Rem Ngik
- Helen Keller International Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | - Dare A Baldwin
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Mam Borath
- National Subcommittee for Food Fortification, Cambodia Ministry of Planning, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Prak Sophonneary
- National Nutrition Programme, Maternal and Child Health Centre, Cambodia Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Lisa N Yelland
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia,School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Daniela Hampel
- USDA, ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA,Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Setareh Shahab-Ferdows
- USDA, ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA,Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Lindsay H Allen
- USDA, ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA,Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kerry S Jones
- NIHR BRC Nutritional Biomarker Laboratory, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Albert Koulman
- NIHR BRC Nutritional Biomarker Laboratory, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Damon A Parkington
- NIHR BRC Nutritional Biomarker Laboratory, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah R Meadows
- NIHR BRC Nutritional Biomarker Laboratory, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Hou Kroeun
- Helen Keller International Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Bassey C, Crooks H, Paterson K, Ball R, Howell K, Humphries-Cuff I, Gaffigan K, Rao N, Whitty JA, Hooper L. Impact of home food production on nutritional blindness, stunting, wasting, underweight and mortality in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2020; 62:1856-1869. [PMID: 33272038 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1848786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency is highly prevalent and remains the major cause of nutritional blindness in children in low-and middle-income countries, despite supplementation programmes. Xeropthalmia (severe drying and thickening of the conjunctiva) is caused by vitamin A deficiency and leads to irreversible blindness. Vitamin A supplementation programmes effectively reduce vitamin A deficiency but many rural children are not reached. Home food production may help prevent rural children's vitamin A deficiency. We aimed to systematically review trials assessing effects of home food production (also called homestead food production and agricultural interventions) on xeropthalmia, nightblindness, stunting, wasting, underweight and mortality (primary outcomes). We searched Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL and trials registers to February 2019. Inclusion of studies, data extraction and risk of bias were assessed independently in duplicate. Random-effects meta-analysis, sensitivity analyses, subgrouping and GRADE were used. We included 16 trials randomizing 2498 children, none reported xerophthalmia, night-blindness or mortality. Home food production may slightly reduce stunting (mean difference (MD) 0.13 (z-score), 95% CI 0.01 to 0.24), wasting (MD 0.05 (z-score), 95% CI -0.04 to 0.14) and underweight (MD 0.07 (z-score), 95% CI -0.01 to 0.15) in young children (all GRADE low-consistency evidence), and increase dietary diversity (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.24, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.34). Home food production may usefully complement vitamin A supplementation for rural children. Large, long-duration trials with good randomization, allocation concealment and correct adjustment for clustering are needed to assess effectiveness of home food production on nutritional blindness in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chizoba Bassey
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Harriet Crooks
- Student Services, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Katherine Paterson
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - Rachel Ball
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - Kristoffer Howell
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - Iona Humphries-Cuff
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - Kirsty Gaffigan
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - Nitya Rao
- School of Developmental Studies, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Jennifer A Whitty
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.,National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East of England, UK
| | - Lee Hooper
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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Durao S, Visser ME, Ramokolo V, Oliveira JM, Schmidt BM, Balakrishna Y, Brand A, Kristjansson E, Schoonees A. Community-level interventions for improving access to food in low- and middle-income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 8:CD011504. [PMID: 32761615 PMCID: PMC8890130 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011504.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND After decades of decline since 2005, the global prevalence of undernourishment reverted and since 2015 has increased to levels seen in 2010 to 2011. The prevalence is highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially Africa and Asia. Food insecurity and associated undernutrition detrimentally affect health and socioeconomic development in the short and long term, for individuals, including children, and societies. Physical and economic access to food is crucial to ensure food security. Community-level interventions could be important to increase access to food in LMICs. OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of community-level interventions that aim to improve access to nutritious food in LMICs, for both the whole community and for disadvantaged or at-risk individuals or groups within a community, such as infants, children and women; elderly, poor or unemployed people; or minority groups. SEARCH METHODS We searched for relevant studies in 16 electronic databases, including trial registries, from 1980 to September 2019, and updated the searches in six key databases in February 2020. We applied no language or publication status limits. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster randomised controlled trials (cRCTs) and prospective controlled studies (PCS). All population groups, adults and children, living in communities in LMICs exposed to community-level interventions aiming to improve food access were eligible for inclusion. We excluded studies that only included participants with specific diseases or conditions (e.g. severely malnourished children). Eligible interventions were broadly categorised into those that improved buying power (e.g. create income-generation opportunities, cash transfer schemes); addressed food prices (e.g. vouchers and subsidies); addressed infrastructure and transport that affected physical access to food outlets; addressed the social environment and provided social support (e.g. social support from family, neighbours or government). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts, and full texts of potentially eligible records, against the inclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or arbitration by a third author, if necessary. For each included study, two authors independently extracted data and a third author arbitrated disagreements. However, the outcome data were extracted by one author and checked by a biostatistician. We assessed risk of bias for all studies using the Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) risk of bias tool for studies with a separate control group. We conducted meta-analyses if there was a minimum of two studies for interventions within the same category, reporting the same outcome measure and these were sufficiently homogeneous. Where we were able to meta-analyse, we used the random-effects model to incorporate any existing heterogeneity. Where we were unable to conduct meta-analyses, we synthesised using vote counting based on effect direction. MAIN RESULTS We included 59 studies, including 214 to 169,485 participants, and 300 to 124, 644 households, mostly from Africa and Latin America, addressing the following six intervention types (three studies assessed two different types of interventions). Interventions that improved buying power: Unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) (16 cRCTs, two RCTs, three PCSs): we found high-certainty evidence that UCTs improve food security and make little or no difference to cognitive function and development and low-certainty evidence that UCTs may increase dietary diversity and may reduce stunting. The evidence was very uncertain about the effects of UCTs on the proportion of household expenditure on food, and on wasting. Regarding adverse outcomes, evidence from one trial indicates that UCTs reduce the proportion of infants who are overweight. Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) (nine cRCTs, five PCSs): we found high-certainty evidence that CCTs result in little to no difference in the proportion of household expenditure on food and that they slightly improve cognitive function in children; moderate-certainty evidence that CCTs probably slightly improve dietary diversity and low-certainty evidence that they may make little to no difference to stunting or wasting. Evidence on adverse outcomes (two PCSs) shows that CCTs make no difference to the proportion of overweight children. Income generation interventions (six cRCTs, 11 PCSs): we found moderate-certainty evidence that income generation interventions probably make little or no difference to stunting or wasting; and low-certainty evidence that they may result in little to no difference to food security or that they may improve dietary diversity in children, but not for households. Interventions that addressed food prices: Food vouchers (three cRCTs, one RCT): we found moderate-certainty evidence that food vouchers probably reduce stunting; and low-certainty evidence that that they may improve dietary diversity slightly, and may result in little to no difference in wasting. Food and nutrition subsidies (one cRCT, three PCSs): we found low-certainty evidence that food and nutrition subsidies may improve dietary diversity among school children. The evidence is very uncertain about the effects on household expenditure on healthy foods as a proportion of total expenditure on food (very low-certainty evidence). Interventions that addressed the social environment: Social support interventions (one cRCT, one PCS): we found moderate-certainty evidence that community grants probably make little or no difference to wasting; low-certainty evidence that they may make little or no difference to stunting. The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of village savings and loans on food security and dietary diversity. None of the included studies addressed the intervention category of infrastructure changes. In addition, none of the studies reported on one of the primary outcomes of this review, namely prevalence of undernourishment. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The body of evidence indicates that UCTs can improve food security. Income generation interventions do not seem to make a difference for food security, but the evidence is unclear for the other interventions. CCTs, UCTs, interventions that help generate income, interventions that help minimise impact of food prices through food vouchers and subsidies can potentially improve dietary diversity. UCTs and food vouchers may have a potential impact on reducing stunting, but CCTs, income generation interventions or social environment interventions do not seem to make a difference on wasting or stunting. CCTs seem to positively impact cognitive function and development, but not UCTs, which may be due to school attendance, healthcare visits and other conditionalities associated with CCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Durao
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marianne E Visser
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Vundli Ramokolo
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Bey-Marrié Schmidt
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Yusentha Balakrishna
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Amanda Brand
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Anel Schoonees
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Durao S, Visser ME, Ramokolo V, Oliveira JM, Schmidt BM, Balakrishna Y, Brand A, Kristjansson E, Schoonees A. Community-level interventions for improving access to food in low- and middle-income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 7:CD011504. [PMID: 32722849 PMCID: PMC7390433 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011504.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND After decades of decline since 2005, the global prevalence of undernourishment reverted and since 2015 has increased to levels seen in 2010 to 2011. The prevalence is highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially Africa and Asia. Food insecurity and associated undernutrition detrimentally affect health and socioeconomic development in the short and long term, for individuals, including children, and societies. Physical and economic access to food is crucial to ensure food security. Community-level interventions could be important to increase access to food in LMICs. OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of community-level interventions that aim to improve access to nutritious food in LMICs, for both the whole community and for disadvantaged or at-risk individuals or groups within a community, such as infants, children and women; elderly, poor or unemployed people; or minority groups. SEARCH METHODS We searched for relevant studies in 16 electronic databases, including trial registries, from 1980 to September 2019, and updated the searches in six key databases in February 2020. We applied no language or publication status limits. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster randomised controlled trials (cRCTs) and prospective controlled studies (PCS). All population groups, adults and children, living in communities in LMICs exposed to community-level interventions aiming to improve food access were eligible for inclusion. We excluded studies that only included participants with specific diseases or conditions (e.g. severely malnourished children). Eligible interventions were broadly categorised into those that improved buying power (e.g. create income-generation opportunities, cash transfer schemes); addressed food prices (e.g. vouchers and subsidies); addressed infrastructure and transport that affected physical access to food outlets; addressed the social environment and provided social support (e.g. social support from family, neighbours or government). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts, and full texts of potentially eligible records, against the inclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or arbitration by a third author, if necessary. For each included study, two authors independently extracted data and a third author arbitrated disagreements. However, the outcome data were extracted by one author and checked by a biostatistician. We assessed risk of bias for all studies using the Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) risk of bias tool for studies with a separate control group. We conducted meta-analyses if there was a minimum of two studies for interventions within the same category, reporting the same outcome measure and these were sufficiently homogeneous. Where we were able to meta-analyse, we used the random-effects model to incorporate any existing heterogeneity. Where we were unable to conduct meta-analyses, we synthesised using vote counting based on effect direction. MAIN RESULTS We included 59 studies, including 214 to 169,485 participants, and 300 to 124, 644 households, mostly from Africa and Latin America, addressing the following six intervention types (three studies assessed two different types of interventions). Interventions that improved buying power: Unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) (16 cRCTs, two RCTs, three PCSs): we found high-certainty evidence that UCTs improve food security and make little or no difference to cognitive function and development and low-certainty evidence that UCTs may increase dietary diversity and may reduce stunting. The evidence was very uncertain about the effects of UCTs on the proportion of household expenditure on food, and on wasting. Regarding adverse outcomes, evidence from one trial indicates that UCTs reduce the proportion of infants who are overweight. Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) (nine cRCTs, five PCSs): we found high-certainty evidence that CCTs result in little to no difference in the proportion of household expenditure on food and that they slightly improve cognitive function in children; moderate-certainty evidence that CCTs probably slightly improve dietary diversity and low-certainty evidence that they may make little to no difference to stunting or wasting. Evidence on adverse outcomes (two PCSs) shows that CCTs make no difference to the proportion of overweight children. Income generation interventions (six cRCTs, 11 PCSs): we found moderate-certainty evidence that income generation interventions probably make little or no difference to stunting or wasting; and low-certainty evidence that they may result in little to no difference to food security or that they may improve dietary diversity in children, but not for households. Interventions that addressed food prices: Food vouchers (three cRCTs, one RCT): we found moderate-certainty evidence that food vouchers probably reduce stunting; and low-certainty evidence that that they may improve dietary diversity slightly, and may result in little to no difference in wasting. Food and nutrition subsidies (one cRCT, three PCSs): we found low-certainty evidence that food and nutrition subsidies may improve dietary diversity among school children. The evidence is very uncertain about the effects on household expenditure on healthy foods as a proportion of total expenditure on food (very low-certainty evidence). Interventions that addressed the social environment: Social support interventions (one cRCT, one PCS): we found moderate-certainty evidence that community grants probably make little or no difference to wasting; low-certainty evidence that they may make little or no difference to stunting. The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of village savings and loans on food security and dietary diversity. None of the included studies addressed the intervention category of infrastructure changes. In addition, none of the studies reported on one of the primary outcomes of this review, namely prevalence of undernourishment. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The body of evidence indicates that UCTs can improve food security. Income generation interventions do not seem to make a difference for food security, but the evidence is unclear for the other interventions. CCTs, UCTs, interventions that help generate income, interventions that help minimise impact of food prices through food vouchers and subsidies can potentially improve dietary diversity. UCTs and food vouchers may have a potential impact on reducing stunting, but CCTs, income generation interventions or social environment interventions do not seem to make a difference on wasting or stunting. CCTs seem to positively impact cognitive function and development, but not UCTs, which may be due to school attendance, healthcare visits and other conditionalities associated with CCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Durao
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marianne E Visser
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Vundli Ramokolo
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Bey-Marrié Schmidt
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Yusentha Balakrishna
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Amanda Brand
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Anel Schoonees
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Williams BA, Cochrane KM, Fischer JAJ, Aljaadi AM, McAnena L, Ward M, McNulty H, Kroeun H, Green TJ, Whitfield KC, Karakochuk CD. The Homozygous Hemoglobin EE Variant Is Associated with Poorer Riboflavin Status in Cambodian Women of Reproductive Age. J Nutr 2020; 150:1943-1950. [PMID: 32433728 PMCID: PMC7330481 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxaa119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Riboflavin is required for erythropoiesis, which is increased in people with hemoglobinopathies due to increased hemolysis and erythrocyte turnover. Dietary intake and status of riboflavin is poor in Cambodia, where hemoglobinopathies are common. OBJECTIVE We assessed the association between genetic hemoglobin disorders and riboflavin status in women of reproductive age in Cambodia. METHODS Venous blood samples from 515 Cambodian women of reproductive age, 18-45 y, were analyzed for biomarker status of riboflavin [erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac)], genetic hemoglobin (Hb) disorders, and hematological indices. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate the association between EGRac with Hb, ferritin, and Hb genotypes. EGRac was log transformed in the analyses, and the regression coefficients represent the geometric mean differences. RESULTS Genetic Hb disorders were present in 57% of the population, with the homozygous hemoglobin E variant (Hb EE) occurring in ∼10% of women (n = 53). Deficient (EGRac ≥1.40) or marginal riboflavin status (EGRac ≥1.30 and <1.40) was observed in 92% (n = 475) of women. The variant Hb EE genotype was associated with 18% (95% CI: 9%, 28%) higher geometric mean EGRac values than the normal Hb AA genotype (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Although riboflavin biomarker deficiency or marginal status is widely prevalent in Cambodian women, lower riboflavin status was observed more frequently in women with the Hb EE genotype than in women with normal Hb AA. The relation between genetic Hb disorders and riboflavin warrants further investigation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01593423 and NCT02481375.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brock A Williams
- Department of Food, Nutrition and Health, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kelsey M Cochrane
- Department of Food, Nutrition and Health, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jordie A J Fischer
- Department of Food, Nutrition and Health, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Abeer M Aljaadi
- Department of Food, Nutrition and Health, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Liadhan McAnena
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Ward
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
| | - Helene McNulty
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
| | - Hou Kroeun
- Helen Keller International, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Tim J Green
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kyly C Whitfield
- Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Crystal D Karakochuk
- Department of Food, Nutrition and Health, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
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13
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Moumin NA, Angel MD, Karakochuk CD, Michaux KD, Moursi M, Sawadogo KAA, Foley J, Hawes MD, Whitfield KC, Tugirimana PL, Bahizire E, Akilimali PZ, Boy E, Sullivan TR, Green TJ. Micronutrient intake and prevalence of micronutrient inadequacy among women (15-49 y) and children (6-59 mo) in South Kivu and Kongo Central, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0223393. [PMID: 32530922 PMCID: PMC7292409 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron biofortified beans and carotenoid enriched cassava are proposed as a solution to combat iron and vitamin A deficiencies, respectively, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). To inform the need for biofortified foods, we conducted a survey in 2014 in two provinces of the DRC, South Kivu and Kongo Central. Unexpectedly, women of reproductive age (WRA; 15-49 y) and their children (6-59 m) had a low prevalence of biochemical iron and vitamin A deficiency, based on ferritin and retinol binding protein, respectively. To better understand the lack of biochemical deficiency of these nutrients, we examined the prevalence of inadequate intake for these and other select nutrients. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour recalls among 744 mother-child dyads. Repeat recalls on a non-consecutive day were conducted with a subsample of the study population to account for intra-individual variation and estimate usual intake. In WRA, the prevalence of inadequate iron intakes were 33% and 29% in South Kivu and Kongo Central, respecitvely. The prevalence of inadequate vitamin A intakes among WRA was low in South Kivu (18%) and negligible in Kongo Central (1%). Iron inadequacy was highest in infants (6-11 m) at 82% and 64% in South Kivu and Kongo Central, respectively. Among older children (12-59 m) in both provinces, the prevalence of iron inadequacy was similar at ~20%. There was a high prevalence of inadequate zinc intake in women and children (i.e. 79-86% among WRA and 56-91% among children 6-59 m) consistent with our findings of a high prevalence of low serum zinc in the same sample. Dietary data here corroborate the low prevalence of biochemical vitamin A deficiency but not iron. However, any change to the supply of red palm oil (primary source of vitamin A) would dramatically reduce population vitamin A intakes, thus a carotenoid enriched cassava program may be beneficial as a safety net measure. Crops biofortified with zinc also appear warranted. We caution that our findings cannot be extrapolated to the entire Congo where diverse agro-ecological landscape exist or when political and environmental shocks occur which challenge food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najma A. Moumin
- Division of Healthy Mothers, Babies & Children, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Discipline of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Moira Donahue Angel
- HarvestPlus c/o International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | | | - Kristina D. Michaux
- Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mourad Moursi
- HarvestPlus c/o International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | | | - Jennifer Foley
- HarvestPlus c/o International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Meaghan D. Hawes
- Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kyly C. Whitfield
- Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Pierrot L. Tugirimana
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Goma, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Department of Clinical Biology, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Esto Bahizire
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Center of Research in Natural Sciences of Lwiro, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Center of Research in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Z. Akilimali
- Department of Nutrition, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Erick Boy
- HarvestPlus c/o International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Thomas R. Sullivan
- Division of Healthy Mothers, Babies & Children, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Tim J. Green
- Division of Healthy Mothers, Babies & Children, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Discipline of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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14
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Keats EC, Jain RP, Bhutta ZA. Indirect health sector actions and supportive strategies to prevent malnutrition. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2020; 23:190-195. [PMID: 32167985 DOI: 10.1097/mco.0000000000000653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Malnutrition is a pervasive problem that causes negative acute, long-term, and intergenerational consequences. As we have begun to move from efficacy to effectiveness trials of nutrition interventions, and further still to more holistic case study approaches to understanding how and why nutrition outcomes change over time, it has become clear that more emphasis on the 'nutrition-sensitive' interventions is required. RECENT FINDINGS In this article, we propose recategorizing the nutrition-specific and sensitive terminology into a new framework that includes direct and indirect health sector actions and supportive strategies that exist outside the health sector; an adjustment that will improve sector-specific planning and accountability. We outline indirect health sector nutrition interventions, with a focus on family planning and the evidence to support its positive link with nutrition outcomes. In addition, we discuss supportive strategies for nutrition, with emphasis on agriculture and food security, water, sanitation, and hygiene, and poverty alleviation and highlight some of the recent evidence that has contributed to these fields. SUMMARY Indirect health sector nutrition interventions and supportive strategies for nutrition will be critical, alongside direct health sector nutrition interventions, to reach global targets. Investments should be made both inside and outside the health sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Keats
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Reena P Jain
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
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15
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Broaddus-Shea ET, Shrestha BT, Rana PP, Winch PJ, Underwood CR. Navigating structural barriers to the implementation of agriculture-nutrition programs in Nepal. Food Secur 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12571-020-01031-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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16
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Butler LM, Bhandari S, Otieno P, Weiser SD, Cohen CR, Frongillo EA. Agricultural and Finance Intervention Increased Dietary Intake and Weight of Children Living in HIV-Affected Households in Western Kenya. Curr Dev Nutr 2020; 4:nzaa003. [PMID: 31998859 PMCID: PMC6981349 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We tested whether a multisectoral household agricultural and finance intervention increased the dietary intake and improved the nutritional status of HIV-affected children. Two hospitals in rural Kenya were randomly assigned to be either the intervention or the control arm. The intervention comprised a human-powered water pump, microfinance loan for farm commodities, and training in sustainable farming practices and financial management. In each arm, 100 children (0-59 mo of age) were enrolled from households with HIV-infected adults 18-49 y old. Children were assessed beginning in April 2012 and every 3 mo for 1 y for dietary intake and anthropometry. Children in the intervention arm had a larger increase in weight (β: 0.025 kg/mo, P = 0.030), overall frequency of food consumption (β: 0.610 times · wk-1 · mo-1, P = 0.048), and intakes of staples (β: 0.222, P = 0.024), fruits and vegetables (β: 0.425, P = 0.005), meat (β: 0.074, P < 0.001), and fat (β: 0.057, P = 0.041). Livelihood interventions have potential to improve the nutrition of HIV-affected children. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01548599.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Butler
- Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention and Policy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Shiva Bhandari
- Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | | | - Sheri D Weiser
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Craig R Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- University of California Global Health Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Edward A Frongillo
- Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
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17
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Michaux KD, Hou K, Karakochuk CD, Whitfield KC, Ly S, Verbowski V, Stormer A, Porter K, Li KH, Houghton LA, Lynd LD, Talukder A, McLean J, Green TJ. Effect of enhanced homestead food production on anaemia among Cambodian women and children: A cluster randomized controlled trial. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2019; 15 Suppl 3:e12757. [PMID: 31148398 PMCID: PMC6593652 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is inconsistent evidence on the efficacy of agriculture programmes at improving women and children's anaemia and nutritional status. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a nutrition‐sensitive enhanced homestead food production (EHFP) programme on anaemia in women (18–45 years) and children (6–59 months) in rural Cambodia. Secondary outcomes were women's micronutrient status and women and children's anthropometry. In this cluster‐randomized controlled trial, 900 households from 90 villages (clusters) were randomized to either (a) home gardens and behaviour change communication (BCC) on nutrition, hygiene, women's empowerment, and marketing (EHFP); (b) home gardens plus fishponds and BCC (EHFP + F); or (c) control (no intervention). Haemoglobin concentration and anthropometry were measured in women and children at baseline and at 22 months. Venous blood samples were collected in a subset of women (n = 450) at baseline and at 22 months. Generalized linear mixed effect models with repeated measures were used to evaluate the difference across groups and the change from baseline to end of study. Ninety clusters, 552 women, and 754 children completed the trial. Compared with control, we found a statistically significant impact on anaemia prevalence in children (−14.0 percentage points; P = 0.02) and retinol binding protein concentrations in women (difference in difference: 0.34; P = 0.02) randomized to EHFP and EHFP + F groups, respectively. No other statistically significant effects on anaemia, nutritional biomarker concentrations, or anthropometry were observed. Future research is needed to examine longer term impacts of EHFP on anthropometry in women and children and into the nutritional causes of anaemia among children in Cambodia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina D Michaux
- Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kroeun Hou
- Helen Keller International, New York, NY, USA
| | - Crystal D Karakochuk
- Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kyly C Whitfield
- Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Sokhoing Ly
- Helen Keller International, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vashti Verbowski
- Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ame Stormer
- Helen Keller International, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Kathy H Li
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lisa A Houghton
- Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Larry D Lynd
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Judy McLean
- Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Timothy J Green
- Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Healthy Mothers, Babies, Children Research Theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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18
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Wesley AS, De Plaen R, Michaux KD, Whitfield KC, Green TJ. Integrating nutrition outcomes into agriculture development for impact at scale: Highlights from the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2019; 15 Suppl 3:e12812. [PMID: 31148402 PMCID: PMC6593440 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Canadian International Food Security Research Fund programme supported research and scaling up of nutrition‐ and gender‐sensitive agriculture innovations from 2009 to 2018. Women and girls were identified as agents of change and were targeted as the main programme beneficiaries. Projects were implemented in 25 countries through multistakeholder partnerships among universities, research institutions, public and private sectors, and civil society groups, reaching over 78 million people, mainly women and children. Approaches specific to nutrition included growing more nutritious crops, improving dietary diversity, value added processing, food fortification, and nutrition education. Scale‐up for impact was achieved through a number of pathways that started with evidence through rigorous research, followed by a combination of elements such as understanding local and regional contexts to identify specific bottlenecks and opportunities for the deployment and adoption of successful innovations, selecting politically effective or influential partners to lead the scaling up process, and investing in long‐term local capacity and leadership building. Overall, the knowledge generated in the programme indicate that well‐designed nutrition‐sensitive agriculture and food‐based interventions can have meaningful impacts on pathways that will lead to better health and well‐being of women and children through improving household and individual access to nutrient‐rich foods. Longer intervention times are needed to demonstrate changes in health indicators such as reduced stunting. This overview paper summarises the programme and showcases examples from studies that demonstrate the impact pathway for nutrition interventions that encompass efficacy and effectiveness studies, value‐added processing, cost effectiveness of interventions, and bringing a proven intervention to scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie S Wesley
- Agriculture and Food Security Program, International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Renaud De Plaen
- Agriculture and Food Security Program, International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristina D Michaux
- Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kyly C Whitfield
- Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Timothy J Green
- Department of Pediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Healthy Mothers, Babies, Children Research Theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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19
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Interventions to Improve Micronutrient Status of Women of Reproductive Age in Southeast Asia: A Narrative Review on What Works, What Might Work, and What Doesn't Work. Matern Child Health J 2019; 23:18-28. [PMID: 30357535 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-018-2637-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To provide an overview of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions that could improve micronutrient status of women of reproductive age. Methods This narrative review has a special focus on Southeast Asia, as the work was undertaken within the framework of the SMILING (Sustainable Micronutrient Interventions to controL deficiencies and Improve Nutrition status and General health in Southeast Asia) project. Results In order for new interventions to become accepted, comprehension and interpretation of potential impact of different strategies by policymakers and non-nutritionists is needed. By presenting a wide overview of strategies, and discussing the context and current consensus on these strategies, the review aims to help with the formulation of new recommendations for national programs in Southeast Asia. Conclusions Current policies in Southeast Asia to improve micronutrient status of women of reproductive age are focused too much on single micronutrient supplementation for pregnant women (iron and folic acid supplements). A more holistic approach, including both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions, is needed.
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20
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Verbowski V, Talukder Z, Hou K, Sok Hoing L, Michaux K, Anderson V, Gibson R, Li KH, Lynd LD, McLean J, Green TJ, Barr SI. Effect of enhanced homestead food production and aquaculture on dietary intakes of women and children in rural Cambodia: A cluster randomized controlled trial. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2018; 14:e12581. [PMID: 29314705 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The Cambodian diet is low in nutrient-dense animal-source foods. Enhanced homestead food production (EHFP) and aquaculture, which increase availability of nutrient-dense foods, are promising interventions to improve dietary intake. This study examined the effect of EHFP with or without aquaculture on dietary intake and prevalence of inadequate intake of select nutrients among women and children living in rural Cambodia, compared to controls. In a registered, cluster randomized controlled trial in Prey Veng, Cambodia, 10 households in each of 90 villages (n = 900) were randomized by village to receive EHFP, EHFP plus aquaculture, or control. After 22-month intervention, 24-hr dietary recalls (24HRs) were collected from mothers aged 18-50 years (n = 429) and their children aged 6 months-7 years (n = 421), reported by their mothers. Usual intake distributions (generated using 24HRs and repeat 24HRs on a subsample) were used to estimate prevalence of inadequate intake. Compared to controls, women in the EHFP group had significantly higher zinc (+1.0 mg/d) and Vitamin A (+139 retinol activity equivalents/d) intakes, and women in the EHFP plus aquaculture group had significantly higher iron (+2.7 mg/d), Vitamin A (+191 retinol activity equivalents/d), and riboflavin (+0.17 mg/d) intakes. Women in the EHFP plus aquaculture group also had significantly lower prevalence of inadequate iron (-7%, at 10% bioavailability), Vitamin A (-19%), and riboflavin (-17%) intakes, compared to controls. No significant differences in intakes or nutrient adequacy were observed among children or between EHFP and EHFP plus aquaculture groups. The biological importance of the small differences in nutrient intakes among women remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vashti Verbowski
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Department of Human Nutrition, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zaman Talukder
- Helen Keller International, Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Kroeun Hou
- Helen Keller International, Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Ly Sok Hoing
- Helen Keller International, Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Kristina Michaux
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Department of Human Nutrition, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Victoria Anderson
- Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rosalind Gibson
- Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kathy H Li
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Larry D Lynd
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Judy McLean
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Department of Human Nutrition, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tim J Green
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Department of Human Nutrition, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Healthy Mothers, Babies, and Children Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Discipline of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Susan I Barr
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Department of Human Nutrition, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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