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Rathi N, Kansal S, Raj A, Pedapanga N, Joshua I, Worsley A. Indian adolescents' perceptions of anaemia and its preventive measures: Aqualitative study. J Nutr Sci 2024; 13:e9. [PMID: 38379591 PMCID: PMC10877140 DOI: 10.1017/jns.2024.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
High prevalence of anaemia is a severe public health problem in several low- and middle-income countries like India. A qualitative inquiry was designed to understand the perceptions of adolescents regarding anaemia and anaemia prevention measures. Convenience sampling was employed to recruit 39 adolescents (19 girls; 20 boys) from Tikari, India. Interviews were carried out in the local language, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Hemoglobin concentration was also assessed from a single drop of capillary blood using the HemoCue, and the participants were asked to share their Science/Biology and Home Science textbooks. Interview data was analysed thematically. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the distributions of the hemoglobin data while textbooks were analysed using content analysis to verify the coverage of anaemia and anaemia-related matter. Seven themes were identified: (i) Poor understanding of the term anaemia; (ii) Minimal discussion about anaemia in classroom; (iii) Limited knowledge about symptoms of anaemia; (iv) Limited awareness about prevention and cure of anaemia; (v) Perception of iron folic acid and deworming tablets among students; (vi) Lack of contribution of health workers in the prevention of anaemia; (vii) No knowledge of 'Anemia free India' programme. More than half of the sample had anaemia (16.7% mild anaemia, 33.3% moderate anaemia, 2.8% severe anaemia). Content analysis revealed that there was limited discussion about anaemia in both Home Science and Science textbooks. Behavioural interventions should focus on inculcating healthy culinary and dietary practices and addressing the gaps in knowledge and understanding of anaemia and its prevention among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Rathi
- Department of Home Science, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sangeeta Kansal
- Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Aryan Raj
- Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh160030, India
| | - Nikitha Pedapanga
- Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Immanuel Joshua
- Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anthony Worsley
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC3220, Australia
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School Lunch Programs and Nutritional Education Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices and Reduce the Prevalence of Anemia: A Pre-Post Intervention Study in an Indonesian Islamic Boarding School. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15041055. [PMID: 36839412 PMCID: PMC9962024 DOI: 10.3390/nu15041055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Indonesians face serious health issues that arise from malnutrition, particularly in children who are under unfavorable dietary environments. The present study established a school meal program consisting of dietary and educational interventions and evaluated its impact on promoting continuous improvement in dietary behavior among junior and senior high school students in Indonesia. A total of 319 students belonging to an Islamic Boarding School participated in the pre-post intervention study for 9 months. All participants were assessed based on their Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP). A subgroup of 115 participants who were anemic and underweight was examined for dietary intake, nutrition status, and hemoglobin level. The KAP test scores for both nutrition and hygiene showed a significant increase for all students and the undernutrition group post-intervention. Protein, iron, and vitamin C intake significantly improved. Although there were no significant improvements in nutrition status, there was a significant increase in the hemoglobin level and a reduction in the prevalence of anemia from 42.6% to 21.7%. Thus, school meal program that combines dietary and educational interventions may effectively improve anemia in undernourished students as well as enhance the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to health, nutrition, and hygiene in junior and senior high school students.
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Ghadam OS, Sohrabi Z, Mehrabi M, Fararouei M, Shahraki M, Hejazi N, Clark CCT, Mehrabani S, Gerami S, Nouri M. Evaluating the effect of digital game-based nutrition education on anemia indicators in adolescent girls: A randomized clinical trial. Food Sci Nutr 2022; 11:863-871. [PMID: 36789052 PMCID: PMC9922111 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of micronutrient deficiency in the world. Adolescence represents a period of increased risk of iron deficiency. Therefore, we aimed to determine the impact of nutrition education by a digital game on markers of iron-deficient anemia in adolescent girls. In this study, 176 adolescent girls were randomly dichotomized into the intervention and control groups. At the beginning and the end of the intervention, knowledge, attitude, and practice of both groups were assessed by a questionnaire. Girls in the intervention group received the necessary education through a digital game during a 14-week period, while those in the control group received basic nutritional education through PowerPoint and pamphlets. Additionally, serum transferrin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, CBC difference, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) tests were checked. In this study, nutrition education significantly increased the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of adolescent girls regarding their diet (p ˂ .05). Hemoglobin level was also significantly raised (p ˂ .05). However, no significant effect was observed on other markers of iron-deficient anemia, such as serum iron, TIBC, and hematocrit, in the intervention group compared with the control group (p ˃ .05). The results of this study indicated the positive impact of nutrition education based on digital game on knowledge, attitude, and practice scores, as well as a significant difference in hemoglobin. It is recommended that educational games be designed for students in the future to promote health and nutrition information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Sabet Ghadam
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food SciencesShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Zahra Sohrabi
- Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food SciencesShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Manoosh Mehrabi
- Department of E‐learning in Medical Sciences, Virtual School, Center of Excellence for E‐leraning for Medical SciencesShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Mohammad Fararouei
- Department of Epidemiology, School of HealthShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Mansour Shahraki
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Medical FacultyZahedan University of Medical SciencesZahedanIran
| | - Najme Hejazi
- Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food SciencesShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | | | - Sanaz Mehrabani
- Department of clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food ScienceFood Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Shirin Gerami
- Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food SciencesShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Mehran Nouri
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food SciencesShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran,Students' Research CommitteeShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran,Health Policy Research Center, Institute of HealthShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
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de Medeiros GCBS, de Azevedo KPM, Garcia D, Oliveira Segundo VH, Mata ÁNDS, Fernandes AKP, dos Santos RP, Trindade DDBDB, Moreno IM, Guillén Martínez D, Piuvezam G. Effect of School-Based Food and Nutrition Education Interventions on the Food Consumption of Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191710522. [PMID: 36078238 PMCID: PMC9518323 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The school is a favorable environment for the development of interventions to prevent obesity. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of school-based food and nutrition education interventions on adolescent food consumption. The literature search was conducted on databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ERIC, Science Direct, Web of Science, Cochrane, LILACS, and ADOLEC. The following research strategies were focused on: population (adolescents), intervention (food and nutrition education), outcome (food consumption), and study design (clinical trial). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines were followed and all stages of this review were performed by two researchers and, when necessary, a third researcher resolved discrepancies. Included studies are randomized clinical trials (RCT). A total of 24 articles were included for review and 11 articles in meta-analysis. In the evaluation of the general effects, there was a significant effect (mean difference (MD) for fruit consumption (MD = 0.09, CI 0.05, 0.14) in serving/day; and for vegetables (MD = 0.59, IC 0.15, 1.03) at times/week. In the consumption of FV (fruits and vegetables), there was no significant effect (standardized mean difference (SMD) of interventions in their consumption (SMD = 0.00, 95% C1 -0.11, 0.11). The evidence available in this review and meta-analysis concludes that food and nutrition education interventions in schools presented favorable results in the food consumption of adolescents. Registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42019116520).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gidyenne Christine Bandeira Silva de Medeiros
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Laboratory (Lab-Sys), CNPq-UFRN, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59078-970, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-84-9880-42405
| | | | - Daniel Garcia
- Department of Physiotherapy, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Murcia, Spain
| | - Victor Hugo Oliveira Segundo
- Postgraduate Program in Public Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59078-970, Brazil
| | - Ádala Nayana de Sousa Mata
- Multicampi School of Medical Sciences of RN, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59078-970, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Grasiela Piuvezam
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Laboratory (Lab-Sys), CNPq-UFRN, Postgraduate Program in Public Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59078-970, Brazil
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Utami A, Margawati A, Pramono D, Julianti HP, Adespin DA, Wulandari DR. The Effectiveness of Iron-folic Acid Supplementation and Education Intervention to Hemoglobin Level, Knowledge, and Compliance among Adolescent Girls in Islamic Boarding School. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.9688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adolescent girls are at a high risk of iron deficiency anemia. Weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) is recommended to address anemia, but it is still ineffective to reduce the prevalence of anemia in Indonesia. Lack of knowledge and low adherence are the factors associated with the problem.
AIM: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of education-combined WIFAS intervention compared to WIFAS intervention, and to identify the compliance of iron-folic acid tablets intake.
METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was carried out on November 2020 to March 2021. By simple random sampling, a total of 135 adolescent girls in islamic boarding schools in Semarang, Indonesia were divided into two groups: WIFAS group only received WIFAS and the WIFAS+Education group received combination of WIFAS and education intervention for 16 weeks. Hemoglobin level was measured by Cyanmethemoglobin method. The knowledge and compliance were determined through the questionnaires. Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, and McNemar tests were performed to analyze the effect of intervention by SPSS 22 software.
RESULTS: Mean of Hb levels and knowledge scores before and after intervention in the WIFAS group were 13.38 g/dL and 13.08 g/dL (p=0.055); and 79.08 and 76.21 (p=0.93), respectively, meanwhile in the WIFAS+Education group were 12.79 g/dL and 12.69 g/dL (p=0.248); and 78.67 and 82.10 (p=0.008), respectively. The increases of anemia prevalence both in the WIFAS group and the WIFAS+Education group was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference of the compliance both groups (p=0.095).
CONCLUSION: Education intervention was effective to increase the knowledge regarding anemia and nutrition. The education intervention to trustees of islamic boarding school is needed to increase the compliance of WIFAS, so it can improve the effectiveness of WIFAS among adolescent girls.
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Malliaropoulos N, Rachid S, Korakakis V, Fraser SA, Bikos G, Maffulli N, Angioi M. Prevalence, techniques and knowledge of rapid weight loss amongst adult british judo athletes: a questionnaire based study. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J 2018; 7:459-466. [PMID: 29387639 DOI: 10.11138/mltj/2017.7.3.459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background No investigation has analysed the RWL approaches since new rules by the International Judo Federation (IJF) regarding weigh-ins have been implemented in international competitions in 2014. The current study analyses the prevalence, most common methods and knowledge surrounding the effects of rapid weight loss (RWL) amongst adult UK judo athletes. Additionally, it examines differences in rapid weight loss behaviour (RWLB) between gender, weight-class, competitive level, age RWL began and "high"/"low" knowledge athletes. Methods A previously validated questionnaire developed to assess RWL in judo athletes was modified by adding a knowledge section and revalidated for content. The questionnaire provided a RWLB score (higher score equated to more aggressive RWL) and a knowledge score (out of 10). 256 athletes (189 males and 66 females, aged 18-67 years) completed the questionnaire between February and April 2015. Unpaired t test, one-way ANOVA-tests and Chi-squared tests were used to test differences of mean RWLB scores and prevalence between groups. Results The prevalence of RWL was 84%. The most common methods of RWL were increased exercise and decreased food/fluid intake. The mean knowledge score was 6.2±2.8, with most incorrect answers regarding physiological effects of RWL. No significant differences in RWLB scores were found between gender, "high"/"low" knowledge athletes or weight-classes. Statistically significant differences in RWLB scores were found between different competitive levels (p=0.014) and age RWL began (p<0.01) in males but not in females. Conclusion RWL is highly prevalent in the UK adult judo population and athletes have moderate knowledge surrounding its effects. In males, RWLB is most aggressive in elite level athletes and those that began RWL at a younger age. Therefore, updated rulings to target elite and youth level athletes should be implemented to reduce dangerous RWL. Level of evidence IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Malliaropoulos
- Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, London, UK
| | - Shaan Rachid
- Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, London, UK
| | - Vasileios Korakakis
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Stephen Andrew Fraser
- Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, London, UK
| | - Georgios Bikos
- Euromedica-Arogi Rehabilitation Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nicola Maffulli
- Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, London, UK
| | - Manuela Angioi
- Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, London, UK
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Alaofè H, Burney J, Naylor R, Taren D. Solar-Powered Drip Irrigation Impacts on Crops Production Diversity and Dietary Diversity in Northern Benin. Food Nutr Bull 2016; 37:164-75. [DOI: 10.1177/0379572116639710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Meeting the food needs of Africa's growing population will require innovative and appropriate technologies whose effectiveness needs to be assessed. Objective: To evaluate the impact of Solar Market Gardens (SMGs) on crops production diversity and dietary diversity in the Kalalé district of Northern Benin. Methods: In 2007, SMGs were installed in 2 villages for women's agricultural groups as a strategy for enhancing food and nutrition security. Data were collected through interviews at installation and 1 year later from all women's group households (30–35 women/group) and from a random representative sample of 30 households in each village, for both treatment and matched-pair comparison villages. Results: Comparison of baseline and endline data indicated increases in the variety of fruits and vegetables produced and consumed by SMG women's groups compared to other groups. The proportion of SMG women’s group households engaged in vegetable and fruit production significantly increased by 26% and 55%, respectively ( P < .05). After controlling for baseline values, SMG women's groups were 3 times more likely to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption compared with comparison non-women's groups ( P < .05). In addition, the percentage change in corn, sorghum, beans, oil, rice and fish purchased was significantly greater in the SMG women’s groups compared to other groups. At endline, 57% of the women used their additional income on food, 54% on health care, and 25% on education. Conclusions: Solar Market Gardens have the potential to improve household nutritional status through direct consumption and increased income to make economic decisions.
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Rao S, Joshi S, Bhide P, Puranik B, Asawari K. Dietary diversification for prevention of anaemia among women of childbearing age from rural India. Public Health Nutr 2014; 17:939-47. [PMID: 23594695 PMCID: PMC10282298 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980013001006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Revised: 03/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of an intervention modifying dietary habits for the prevention of anaemia in rural India. DESIGN Intervention study with data on anthropometric (weight, height) measurements, Hb and diet pattern. As per the cut-off for Hb in the government programme, women with Hb <11 g/dl had to be given Fe tablets and formed the supplemented group while those with Hb > 11 g/dl formed the non-supplemented group. Settings Three villages near Pune city, Maharashtra, India. SUBJECTS Rural non-pregnant women (n 317) of childbearing age (15-35 years). RESULTS After 1 year of intervention, mean Hb increased (from 10.94 (sd 1.22) g/dl to 11.59 (sd 1.11) g/dl) significantly (P < 0.01) with a consequent reduction in the prevalence of anaemia (from 82.0% to 55.4%) as well as Fe-deficiency anaemia (from 30.3% to 10.8%). Gain in Hb was inversely associated with the initial level of Hb. Significant gain in Hb (0.57 g/dl) was observed among women attending >50% of the meetings or repeating >50% of the recipes at home (0.45 g/dl) in the non-supplemented group and was smaller than that observed in the supplemented group. Consumption of green leafy vegetables more than twice weekly increased substantially from 44.7% to 60.6%, as did consumption of seasonal fruits. Logistic regression showed that women with lower participation in the intervention had three times higher risk (OR = 3.08; 95% CI 1.04, 9.13; P = 0.04) for no gain in Hb compared with those having high participation. CONCLUSIONS Developing action programmes for improving nutritional awareness to enhance the consumption of Fe-rich foods has great potential for preventing anaemia in rural India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shobha Rao
- Biometry & Nutrition Unit, Agharkar Research Institute, GG Agarkar Road, Pune 411030, India
| | - Smita Joshi
- Biometry & Nutrition Unit, Agharkar Research Institute, GG Agarkar Road, Pune 411030, India
| | - Pradnya Bhide
- Biometry & Nutrition Unit, Agharkar Research Institute, GG Agarkar Road, Pune 411030, India
| | - Bhairavi Puranik
- Biometry & Nutrition Unit, Agharkar Research Institute, GG Agarkar Road, Pune 411030, India
| | - Kanade Asawari
- Biometry & Nutrition Unit, Agharkar Research Institute, GG Agarkar Road, Pune 411030, India
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Social dimensions related to anaemia among women of childbearing age from rural India. Public Health Nutr 2010; 14:365-72. [PMID: 20939942 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980010002776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine various sociodemographic aspects related to consumption of micronutrient-rich foods like green leafy vegetables (GLV), which will be helpful in modifying dietary habits, a strategy that merits consideration for prevention of anaemia. DESIGN Cross-sectional study for collecting data on socio-economic and anthropometric (weight, height) variables, Hb, dietary pattern (FFQ) and peripheral smear examination for classifying nutritional and iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA). SETTING Three villages near Pune city, Maharashtra, India. SUBJECTS Rural women (n 418) of childbearing age (15-35 years). RESULTS Mean Hb was 11·07 g/dl. Seventy-seven per cent of the women were anaemic (Hb < 12 g/dl) and 28 % had IDA, indicating that a large proportion of the women had nutritional anaemia. Higher prevalence of IDA was associated with several sociodemographic and maternal parameters, but multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant (P < 0·05) risk of IDA with lower body weight (<40 kg), short maternal height (<145 cm), younger age at marriage (<19 years) and higher parity (≥ 2). Various socio-cultural reasons associated with low consumption of GLV included non-cultivation of GLV, priority for selling them rather than home consumption, dislike of GLV by husband and children, and lack of awareness about different recipes for GLV. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight that low consumption of GLV, which are treasures of micronutrients including Fe, is associated with genuine social reasons. This indicates a need for developing action programmes to improve nutritional knowledge and awareness leading to enhanced consumption of Fe-rich foods for preventing anaemia in rural India.
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Evaluation of a kindergarten-based nutrition education intervention for pre-school children in China. Public Health Nutr 2009; 13:253-60. [DOI: 10.1017/s1368980009990814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of nutrition education in kindergartens and to promote healthy dietary habits in children.DesignProspective cohort study. Four kindergartens with 1252 children were randomized to the intervention group and three with 850 children to the control group. The personal nutritional knowledge, attitudes and dietary behaviours of the parents were also investigated. Each month, children and parents in the intervention group participated in nutrition education activities. The main outcome measures were anthropometrics and diet-related behaviours of the children and the nutritional knowledge and attitudes of the parents at baseline, 6 months (mid-term) and 1 year (post-test). Baseline demographic and socio-economic characteristics were also collected.SettingSeven kindergartens from Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province, eastern China.SubjectsTwo thousand one hundred and two 4- to 6-year-old pre-schoolers from seven kindergartens participated.ResultsThe prevalence of children’s unhealthy diet-related behaviours decreased significantly and good lifestyle behaviours increased in the group receiving nutrition education compared with controls. Parental eating habits and attitudes to planning their children’s diets also changed appreciably in the intervention group compared with the control group (P< 0·05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in children’s height, weight, height-for-ageZ-score or weight-for-ageZ-score between the two groups.ConclusionsKindergarten-based nutrition education improves pre-schoolers’ lifestyle behaviours and brings about beneficial changes in parents’ attitudes to planning their children’s diets and their own personal eating habits.
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Alaofè H, Zee J, Dossa R, O'Brien HT. Education and improved iron intakes for treatment of mild iron-deficiency anemia in adolescent girls in southern Benin. Food Nutr Bull 2009; 30:24-36. [PMID: 19445257 DOI: 10.1177/156482650903000103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To our knowledge, the impact of a nutrition education program combined with an increase in bioavailable dietary iron to treat iron-deficiency anemia has never been studied in adolescent girls. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of an intensive dietary program for the treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in 34 intervention and 34 control boarding-school girls aged 12 to 17 years from Benin. METHODS A quasi-experimental design consisting of 4 weeks of nutrition education combined with an increase in the content and bioavailability of dietary iron for 22 weeks was implemented in the intervention school, but not in the control school. Data were obtained from both groups from a nutrition knowledge questionnaire, 24-hour dietary recalls, anthropometric measurements, measurement of iron status indices, and screening for malarial and intestinal parasitic infections. RESULTS Nutrition knowledge scores and mean intakes of nutrients, including dietary iron, absorbable iron, and vitamin C, were significantly higher in the intervention group (p < .05) than in the control group after 26 weeks. Mean hemoglobin and serum ferritin values were also significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (122 vs. 112 g/L [p = .0002] and 32 vs. 19 microg/L [p = .04], respectively), whereas the prevalence of anemia (32% vs. 85% [p = .005] and iron-deficiency anemia (26% vs. 56% [p = .04]) was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group. No significant differences between the groups were observed in intestinal parasitic infections or malaria status postintervention. CONCLUSIONS A multidietary strategy aiming to improve available dietary iron can reduce iron-deficiency anemia in adolescent girls.
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