Synbiotic Fermented Milk with Double Fortification (Fe-Zn) as a Strategy to Address Stunting: A Randomized Controlled Trial among Children under Five in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Predictors of Poor Neonatal Outcomes among Pregnant Women in Indonesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between maternal health behaviors and neonatal outcomes among the Indonesian population. Methods: Articles were collected from PubMed, EBSCO, ProQuest, DOAJ, and GARUDA. Funnel plots and Egger’s tests analyzed indications of publication bias. A Mantel–Haenszel random-effects model was used to see the overall effect size of exposures on outcomes. Heterogeneity was seen based on I². Data collected from articles included the author, year of publication, location of the study, study design, number of samples, risk factors, and effect sizes. Results: We identified 24 relevant studies, including eight from the primary databases and 16 from an additional database. A total of 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis, examining the association between maternal health behaviors and neonatal outcomes. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for passive smoking and low-birth-weight (LBW) was 3.41 (95% CI: 1.75–6.63, I² = 40%, four studies). The pooled OR for incomplete antenatal care (ANC) and LBW was 6.29 (95% CI: 2.11–18.82, I² = 70%, four studies). The pooled OR for incomplete ANC and neonatal mortality was 2.59 (95% CI: 1.01–6.66, I² = 93%, four studies). Conclusions: The results indicated that pregnant women with incomplete ANC had a higher risk of LBW and neonatal mortality, and those who were passively exposed to smoking had a higher risk of LBW. Further investigations are needed, considering the high heterogeneity found, and additional meta-analyses should be based on the variations of socio-demographic conditions.

Traditional Fermented Foods and Beverages from around the World and Their Health Benefits

Traditional fermented foods and beverages play an important role in a range of human diets, and several experimental studies have shown their potential positive effects on human health. Studies from different continents have revealed strong associations between the microorganisms present in certain fermented foods (e.g., agave fructans, kefir, yeats, kombucha, chungkookjang, cheeses and vegetables, among others) and weight maintenance, reductions in the risk of cardiovascular disease, antidiabetic and constipation benefits, improvement of glucose and lipids levels, stimulation of the immunological system, anticarcinogenic effects and, most importantly, reduced mortality. Accordingly, the aim of this review is to corroborate information reported in experimental studies that comprised interventions involving the consumption of traditional fermented foods or beverages and their association with human health. This work focuses on studies that used fermented food from 2014 to the present. In conclusion, traditional fermented foods or beverages could be important in the promotion of human health. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms involved in inflammatory, immune, chronic and gastrointestinal diseases and the roles of fermented traditional foods and beverages in terms of preventing or managing those diseases.

Anthropometric Kit Development for Stunted Early Detection among Children Under-two Years Old: Providing a Portable Body Length Measurer

BACKGROUND: One of the keys to stunting reduction, a condition of lower height or length compared to their age, is the measurement of children in the community. However, the infantometer as the gold standard is not accessible by all community health workers (CHWs). AIM: The aim is to develop a stunted early detection tool (SEDT) for Indonesian children under-two years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted as the first phase of the development process and focused on the experts’ judgments of the prototype. Experts’ judgments were recorded qualitatively. There were five in-depth interviews with anthropometric, health promotion, and media design experts. Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory and thematic content analysis were used to analyze the relative advantages, compatibility, complexity, and observability. RESULTS: The prototype of the SEDT consists of two tools, including a length mat to measure children’s length and a circular disc that helps CHWs classify the nutritional status of the children according to length for age length-for-age Z-score. Most experts agreed that the SEDT is a good instrument for the early detection of stunting among children under 24 months. The tool is designed to be portable, child-friendly, compatible, and easy to use. Although its development has the potential to help CHWs fulfill their responsibilities, major changes were needed specifically to improve the tool’s stability and design. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis gives broad information about the SEDT’s potential as a SEDT considering its relative advantages, complexity, compatibility, and observability. Further research is important to validate potential users’ responses in a representative population.

The Given of Fermented Drink Fortified with Fe-Zn (INTAKE) for Under-5-Year-Old Children as Integration of Research Products and Stunting Prevention Program: An Action Research

INTRODUCTION: Stunting is one priority for nutritional and health problems in Indonesia. AIM: This research was action research aimed at improving the nutritional status of the community, especially in supporting stunting reduction programs through specific nutrition interventions using local functional foods and determine, whether the program can be implemented in a proper setting. METHODS: The research was conducted in the working area of Tempel 2 Public Health Center (PHC Tempel 2), Sleman Regency, DI Yogyakarta using an action research approach. This study was involved 26 children aged 12–59 months who were living in the PHC Tempel 2, Sleman, Yogyakarta Special District Province. This product was given every day for 3 months with a daily dosage of 100 mL/day. The consumption was monitored using food diary to identify the compliance rate of the products. RESULTS: The consumption of INTAKE significantly increased the growth of the subjects which included height (91.94 vs. 95.13 cm), weight (12.75 vs. 13.63 kg), and nutritional status of height for age z-score (−1.348 vs. −0.933) 3 months after the intervention. DISCUSSION: Although several factors such as eating behavior can affect the nutritional status of children, the INTAKE intervention can provide an alternative food supplement for children besides the programs that have been provided by the government. CONCLUSION: The provision of fermented milk with iron-zinc fortification (INTAKE) had a positive intake for the growth of children under 5 years old. The intervention was feasible to be carried out over a longer period. However, considering the nutrition-related behaviors of the children, it should be considered administering different supplementary food while maintaining consistent nutrition education to enhance the success of the programs. Collaboration between academicians, health offices, and industry also proposed a good impact.

Awareness, Knowledge, and Interest about Prebiotics-A Study among Romanian Consumers

The consumer awareness towards healthier diets and the impact of nutrition on health has triggered an increase in the production and commercialization of foods with health claims. The scientific literature classifies these food products as functional foods, with a role in promoting health and preventing diseases, and they had a market share of almost 200 million EUR in 2019. Prebiotics are considered functional foods, referring to substrates that are selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit, as defined by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics. Several health benefits are associated with the consumption of prebiotics; however, specific requirements must demonstrate the causality between the specific ingredient and the claimed effect. Health claims associated with food products are assessed in the European Union and need to be supported by rigorous scientific evidence before being authorized and permitted on the market. Consumers’ perception of this topic is influenced by the various stakeholders involved. The current work aimed to study the consumers’ perception and interest and to assess the knowledge on the prebiotic concept in Romania. The consumer interest level was quantified by using the web-based data tool Google Trends, and a questionnaire-based investigation was designed. The collected data were analyzed with the help of the SPSS program, and crosstabulation was used to identify the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on diet choice and awareness of prebiotics. A total of 303 persons answered the online applied questionnaire, grouped as young consumers (15–24 years old) and adults (25–64 years old). Even if most responders were familiar with the term of prebiotics (74% of total responders), some results were contradictory regarding their knowledge. The work emphasized the need to carry out educational campaigns and inform consumers on the relationship between certain food ingredients and health outcomes in a clear way and based on a rigorous assessment of the scientific evidence.

Advances in Microbial Fermentation Processes

In the food sector, fermentation processes have been the object of great interest in regard to enhancing the yield, the quality, and the safety of the final product [...]