Access to food markets, household wealth and child nutrition in rural Cambodia: Findings from nationally representative data.

Access to informal fresh food markets plays a vital role in household food security and dietary quality in transitioning rural economies. However, it is not well understood if market access also improves child nutrition and if the improvement applies to all socioeconomic groups. In this secondary research study, we combined a national listing of food markets (n = 503) with a national household survey to examine the associations of market access with diet and height across wealth groups in children aged 6 to 23 months in rural Cambodia. All children under two years of age with dietary data (n = 1537) or anthropometry data (n = 989) were selected from the household survey. Food markets were geocoded using Google Maps or villages' geographical coordinates publicly available in the Open Development Mekong data platform. Regression calibration was then used to estimate household distance to the nearest market. Descriptive results indicated a highly uneven distribution of food markets with median household distance to the nearest markets ranging between 4 km (IQR: 3-8 km) in the lowland areas and 9 km (IQR: 4-17 km) in the highland areas. Results from the multivariate linear regressions showed that distance to the nearest market was modestly associated with child dietary diversity score (ß: -0.17; 95% CI: -0.29, -0.05) but it was not related to child height-for-age z-score, and that household wealth did not modify the associations between distance to markets and child dietary diversity score. These findings suggest that improving access to food markets alone might not lead to meaningful improvement in child diet. Detailed surveys on household food acquisition are needed to clarify the role of food markets relative to other food sources such as subsistence fisheries, subsistence gardening and mobile food traders.

Home environment and nutritional status mitigate the wealth gap in child development: a longitudinal study in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Inequity in child development is found at early age, but limited evidence exists on whether these gaps change over time and what are the mediators. OBJECTIVE: We aim to (1) quantify wealth related gaps in cognitive and socio-emotional development in early and middle childhood; (2) examine how these gaps were mitigated by maternal, child factors and home environment. METHODS: We assessed the offspring of women who participated in a randomized controlled trial of preconception micronutrient supplementation in Vietnam (n = 1599). Child development was measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (at 1-2y) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children®-IV (at 6-7y). We used multivariable regression to estimate the changes in wealth gaps for child development over time, adjusting for potential factors that potentially influence cognitive development. RESULTS: We found significant wealth gaps in cognitive development during early childhood (gaps between top and bottom quintiles: 0.5 SD); these gaps increased substantially in middle childhood (0.9 SD). Wealth disparity in social emotion did not change over time (0.26-0.28 SD). Maternal factors, quality of home environment, and child nutritional status mitigated the wealth gap in cognitive development (7-42%) in early childhood. The contribution of these mitigating factors was smaller in middle childhood (2- 15%). Wealth gap in social emotion reduced by 13% and 43% among children with better nutritional status at 2y and higher quality of home environment at 6-7y, respectively. CONCLUSION: Interventions focusing on improving quality of home environment, maternal education, wellbeing, and child nutrition status may help reduce developmental deficits associated with poverty.

Infant feeding, appetite and satiety regulation, and adiposity during infancy: a study design and protocol of the 'MAS-Lactancia' birth cohort.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of childhood obesity has risen dramatically in recent years. A proportion of this burden has been attributed to factors that occur during the first 1000 days of life such as genetic predisposition, breast feeding and complementary feeding. Although the mechanisms by which these factors affect weight and adiposity are less well understood, appetite and satiety regulation may be a key to understanding them. This cohort study aims to investigate the role of appetite and satiety regulation as a mediator in the association between infant feeding practices and genetic polymorphisms with children's growth, adiposity and metabolic risk factors. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 'MAS-Lactancia' (the first word means 'more' and is also an acronym in Spanish for 'Appetite and Satiety Mechanisms', the second word is 'breastfeeding') is an open, ongoing, prospective birth cohort that began the enrolment in 2016 of mother-child pairs affiliated to the Mexican Social Security Institute and that live in the city of Cuernavaca, Mexico. Pregnant women between 16-week and 22-week gestation are followed during the second half of their pregnancies, at birth and throughout their infant's first 48 months of life (at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 36 months and 48 months) at the clinic and at-home visits that include questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and biospecimen collection. The main exposure variables are infant feeding (breast feeding and complementary feeding) and genetic polymorphisms (fat mass and obesity-associated, leptin and adiponectin genes). Outcome variables include infant's growth, adiposity and metabolic risk factors. We will conduct longitudinal models and path analyses to identify the potential mediating role of satiety and appetite indicators (leptin, adiponectin, insulin concentrations, appetite and satiety perception). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol, data collection instruments, consent forms and procedures were approved by the institutional review boards of the National Institute of Public Health and the Mexican Social Security Institute in Mexico. Findings will be disseminated through conferences, peer-reviewed publications and meetings with stakeholders.

Improving Children's Diet: Approach and Progress.

We highlight key findings from a recent comprehensive review of social and behavior change communication (SBCC) interventions to improve complementary feeding in low-middle-income countries and discuss 4 large-scale programs as illustrative case studies. Improving dietary diversity was the most commonly targeted practice, and interpersonal communication was the most commonly used platform for the 64 interventions included in the comprehensive review. The number of behavior change techniques used by any one intervention ranged from 2 to 13 (median 6); all provided instruction on how to perform the target behavior(s), followed by the use of a "credible" source to provide the SBCC (n = 46), demonstration of the behavior (n = 35) and providing information about health consequences of the behavior (n = 35). The key factors that contributed to the success of the large-scale programs applying SBCC alone, or in combination with point-of-use fortification or nutrition-sensitive agriculture, included the formation of alliances with key stakeholders, availability of funds, technical support from multiple donors, well-defined theory of change, and streamlined processes for monitoring and implementation. Major limitations included a lack of detailed information on (a) intervention design, (b) behavioral theories or frameworks, (c) implementation processes including adaptations to context, and (d) cost and feasibility.

Intrinsic and instrumental agency associated with nutritional status of East African women.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development prioritizes women's empowerment in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #5: to achieve gender equality and empowerment among all women and girls. Research on the relationships of women's empowerment and nutrition has focused on the child's nutrition. Less is known about how women's empowerment influences their own nutritional status. We examined the pathways by which three domains of women's empowerment (WE)-assets, intrinsic agency, and instrumental agency-may influence women's nutritional status (WNS) in East Africa. We used data from 42,721 married non-pregnant women, 15-49 years old interviewed in Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) from five east Africa countries (2011-2016). WNS was operationalized through body mass index (BMI) and altitude-adjusted blood-hemoglobin level (Hb). A latent factor for women's human/social assets (assets) measured women's enabling resources. Two additional latent factors measured women's intrinsic agency (power within; women's non-justification of intimate partner violence (IPV) against wives) and instrumental agency (power to; influence in household decision-making). We used structural equation models with latent variables to estimate the strength of the hypothesized pathways from women's assets to WNS through measures of intrinsic and instrumental agency. All three domains of WE had direct, positive associations with women's BMI [(estimate (95% CI) (Assets: [0.17 (0.14,0.20)]; Intrinsic Agency: [0.25 (0.22,0.27)]; Instrumental Agency [0.08 (0.03,0.10)])]. Women's instrumental agency was positively associated with women's Hb [0.12 (0.09,0.14)]. Total associations, including direct and indirect effects, with women's BMI were positive through intrinsic agency & instrumental agency. Total associations with women's Hb were positive through instrumental agency. Direct and indirect effects from assets through both components of agency to BMI were higher in magnitude by household wealth category. Domains of WE were positively associated with WNS. Findings indicate that the process of women's empowerment may be an important driver of their nutritional status.

Gender equality in global health leadership: Cross-sectional survey of global health graduates.

Women comprise two-thirds of the global-health (GH) workforce but are underrepresented in leadership. GH departments are platforms to advance gender equality in GH leadership. Using a survey of graduates from one GH department, we compared women's and men's post-training career agency and GH employment and assessed whether gender gaps in training accounted for gender gaps in career outcomes. Master-of-Public-Health (MPH) and mid-career-fellow alumni since 2010 received a 31-question online survey. Forty-four per cent of MPH alum and 24% of fellows responded. Using logistic regression, we tested gender gaps in training satisfaction, career agency, and GH employment, unadjusted and adjusted for training received. Women (N = 293) reported lower satisfaction with training (M7.6 vs 8.2) and career agency (leadership ability: M6.3 vs 7.4) than men (N = 60). Women more often than men acquired methods-related skills (95% vs 78%), employment recommendations (42% vs 18%), and group membership. Men more often than women acquired leadership training (43% vs 23%), award recommendations (53% vs 17%), and conference support (65% vs 35%). Women and men had similar odds of GH employment. Accounting for confounders and gender-gaps in training eliminated gender gaps in five of six career-agency outcomes. Panel studies of women's and men's career trajectories in GH are needed.

A collaborative, mixed-methods evaluation of a low-cost, handheld 3D imaging system for child anthropometry.

3D imaging for body measurements is regularly used for design of garments and ergonomic products. The development of low-cost 3D scanners provided an opportunity to extend the use of 3D imaging to the health sector. We developed and tested the AutoAnthro System, the first mobile, low-cost, full-body, 3D imaging system designed specifically for child anthropometry. This study evaluated the efficiency, invasiveness, and user experience of the AutoAnthro System. We used a mixed-methods, collaborative approach that included a quantitative time-motion study and qualitative interviews of anthropometrists. For cooperative children, anthropometrists considered the use of 3D imaging an easy, "streamlined experience," but with uncooperative children, anthropometrists reported that capturing a good quality scan was out of their control. The mean time to complete a full set of scans was 68 s (standard deviation [SD] 29), compared with 135 s (SD 22) for a set of manual measurements (stature, head circumference, and arm circumference). We observed that crying was more common during manual measurement, and anthropometrist interviews confirmed that 3D imaging was less stressful for children than manual measurement. In a previous publication, we showed the potential of 3D imaging to produce reliable and accurate measurements. In this study, we found that anthropometrists were not ready to abandon manual equipment for 3D scanners because of difficulty in measuring uncooperative children. Revising the AutoAnthro System to address anthropometrists' concerns on capturing good quality scans of uncooperative children should help to facilitate widespread use of 3D imaging for child anthropometry.

Quality of Maternal Height and Weight Data from the Revised Birth Certificate and Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System.

BACKGROUND: The 2003 revision of the US Standard Certificate of Live Birth (birth certificate) and Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) are important for maternal weight research and surveillance. We examined quality of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, and component variables from these sources. METHODS: Data are from a PRAMS data quality improvement study among a subset of New York City and Vermont respondents in 2009. We calculated mean differences comparing prepregnancy BMI data from the birth certificate and PRAMS (n = 734), and gestational weight gain data from the birth certificate (n = 678) to the medical record, considered the gold standard. We compared BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese) and gestational weight gain categories (below, within, above recommendations), classified by different sources, using percent agreement and the simple κ statistic. RESULTS: For most maternal weight variables, mean differences between the birth certificate and PRAMS compared with the medical record were less than 1 kg. Compared with the medical record, the birth certificate classified similar proportions into prepregnancy BMI categories (agreement = 89%, κ = 0.83); PRAMS slightly underestimated overweight and obesity (agreement = 84%, κ = 0.73). Compared with the medical record, the birth certificate overestimated gestational weight gain below recommendations and underestimated weight gain within recommendations (agreement = 81%, κ = 0.69). Agreement varied by maternal and pregnancy-related characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Classification of prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain from the birth certificate or PRAMS was mostly similar to the medical record but varied by maternal and pregnancy-related characteristics. Efforts to understand how misclassification influences epidemiologic associations are needed.

Accuracy and reliability of a low-cost, handheld 3D imaging system for child anthropometry.

The usefulness of anthropometry to define childhood malnutrition is undermined by poor measurement quality, which led to calls for new measurement approaches. We evaluated the ability of a 3D imaging system to correctly measure child stature (length or height), head circumference and arm circumference. In 2016-7 we recruited and measured children at 20 facilities in and around metro Atlanta, Georgia, USA; including at daycare, higher education, religious, and medical facilities. We selected recruitment sites to reflect a generally representative population of Atlanta and to oversample newborns and children under two years of age. Using convenience sampling, a total of 474 children 0-5 years of age who were apparently healthy and who were present at the time of data collection were included in the analysis. Two anthropometrists each took repeated manual measures and repeated 3D scans of each child. We evaluated the reliability and accuracy of 3D scan-derived measurements against manual measurements. The mean child age was 26 months, and 48% of children were female. Based on reported race and ethnicity, the sample was 42% Black, 28% White, 8% Asian, 21% multiple races, other or race not reported; and 16% Hispanic. Measurement reliability of repeated 3D scans was within 1 mm of manual measurement reliability for stature, head circumference and arm circumference. We found systematic bias when analyzing accuracy-on average 3D imaging overestimated stature and head circumference by 6 mm and 3 mm respectively, and underestimated arm circumference by 2 mm. The 3D imaging system used in this study is reliable, low-cost, portable, and can handle movement; making it ideal for use in routine nutritional assessment. However, additional research, particularly on accuracy, and further development of the scanning and processing software is needed before making policy and clinical practice recommendations on the routine use of 3D imaging for child anthropometry.

Improving the quality of child anthropometry: Manual anthropometry in the Body Imaging for Nutritional Assessment Study (BINA).

Anthropometric data collected in clinics and surveys are often inaccurate and unreliable due to measurement error. The Body Imaging for Nutritional Assessment Study (BINA) evaluated the ability of 3D imaging to correctly measure stature, head circumference (HC) and arm circumference (MUAC) for children under five years of age. This paper describes the protocol for and the quality of manual anthropometric measurements in BINA, a study conducted in 2016-17 in Atlanta, USA. Quality was evaluated by examining digit preference, biological plausibility of z-scores, z-score standard deviations, and reliability. We calculated z-scores and analyzed plausibility based on the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards (CGS). For reliability, we calculated intra- and inter-observer Technical Error of Measurement (TEM) and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). We found low digit preference; 99.6% of z-scores were biologically plausible, with z-score standard deviations ranging from 0.92 to 1.07. Total TEM was 0.40 for stature, 0.28 for HC, and 0.25 for MUAC in centimeters. ICC ranged from 0.99 to 1.00. The quality of manual measurements in BINA was high and similar to that of the anthropometric data used to develop the WHO CGS. We attributed high quality to vigorous training, motivated and competent field staff, reduction of non-measurement error through the use of technology, and reduction of measurement error through adequate monitoring and supervision. Our anthropometry measurement protocol, which builds on and improves upon the protocol used for the WHO CGS, can be used to improve anthropometric data quality. The discussion illustrates the need to standardize anthropometric data quality assessment, and we conclude that BINA can provide a valuable evaluation of 3D imaging for child anthropometry because there is comparison to gold-standard, manual measurements.

Predictors of adherence to micronutrient supplementation before and during pregnancy in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to micronutrient supplementation often limits the effectiveness of public health programs. While predictors of adherence to micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy are well documented, information on adherence to preconception supplements is scarce. The objective of this study was to describe the predictors of adherence to preconception and prenatal micronutrient supplementation among women participating in a randomized control trial in Vietnam. METHODS: Adherence data were collected prospectively from a double blind randomized controlled trial in rural Vietnam. Five thousand eleven women of reproductive age were randomized to receive preconception supplements for weekly consumption containing either: Folic Acid, Iron and Folic Acid (IFA), or Multiple Micronutrients. Women who became pregnant received prenatal IFA supplements for daily consumption through delivery. Village health workers visited participants' homes every two weeks to deliver supplements and record consumption and side effects. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess individual, household, and programmatic predictors of supplement adherence. RESULTS: Adherence was high with 78 and 82% of the women consuming more than 80% of the preconception and prenatal supplements, respectively. Women of minority ethnicity (OR = 0.78 95% CI = 0.67, 0.91) and farmers (OR = 0.71 95% CI = 0.58, 0.88) were less likely to consume >80% of the preconception supplements while socioeconomic status (SES) (OR = 2.71 highest vs. lowest quintile; 95% CI = 2.10, 3.52) was positively associated with >80% adherence in the entire preconception sample with available information (n = 4417). Women in their first pregnancy had lower prenatal adherence compared to multiparous women. At the programmatic level, each village health worker visit was associated with higher odds of >80% adherence by 3-5% before pregnancy and 18% during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Key determinants of adherence included SES, ethnicity, occupation (farmer) and parity which may be helpful for targeting women for counseling on supplement adherence. Increased contact with village health workers was positively associated with adherence to micronutrient supplementation both before conception and during pregnancy indicating the need for resources to support community outreach to women of reproductive age. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01665378 . Registered on August 12, 2012.

Individual and facility-level determinants of iron and folic acid receipt and adequate consumption among pregnant women in rural Bihar, India.

BACKGROUND: In Bihar, India, high maternal anemia prevalence and low iron and folic acid supplement (IFA) receipt and consumption have continued over time despite universal IFA distribution and counseling during pregnancy. PURPOSE: To examine individual and facility-level determinants of IFA receipt and consumption among pregnant women in rural Bihar, India. METHODS: Using District Level Household Survey (2007-08) data, multilevel modeling was conducted to examine the determinants of two outcomes: IFA receipt (any IFA receipt vs. none) and IFA consumption (≥90 days vs. <90 days). Individual-level and facility-level factors were included. Factor analysis was utilized to construct antenatal care (ANC) quality and health sub-center (HSC) capacity variables. RESULTS: Overall, 37% of women received any IFA during their last pregnancy. Of those, 24% consumed IFA for 90 or more days. Women were more likely to receive any IFA when they received additional ANC services and counseling, and attended ANC earlier and more frequently. Significant interactions were found between ANC quality factors (odds ratio (OR): 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25, 0.56) and between ANC services and ANC timing and frequency (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.82). No HSC factors were significantly associated with IFA receipt. Women were more likely to consume IFA for ≥90 days if they attended at least 4 ANC check-ups and received more ANC services. IFA supply at the HSC (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.82) was also significantly associated with IFA consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that individual and ANC factors (timing, frequency, and quality) play a key role in facilitating IFA receipt and consumption. Although HSC capacity factors were not found to influence our outcomes, significant variation at the facility level indicates unmeasured factors that could be important to address in future interventions.

Food consumption patterns and associated factors among Vietnamese women of reproductive age.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adequate nutrient intakes among women of reproductive age (WRA) are important determinants of maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes. However, data on dietary intake for WRA in Vietnam are lacking. This paper aimed to examine the adequacy and determinants of energy and macronutrient intakes among WRA enrolled in a study of preconceptual micronutrient supplementation (PRECONCEPT) being conducted in 20 rural communes in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam. METHODS: Dietary intakes were determined for 4983 WRA who participated in the baseline survey using a previously validated 107-item (semi-quantitative) food-frequency questionnaire that was administered by trained field workers. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with energy and macronutrient intakes. RESULTS: A disproportionate number of energy came from starches, primarily rice. Carbohydrate, fat and protein constituted 65.6%, 19.5% and 14.8% of total energy, respectively. Fat intake was below recommended levels in 56.5% of respondents, but carbohydrate intakes were above recommended level in 54.6%. Only 0.1% and 5.2% of WRA achieved adequate intake of n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Multivariate linear regression revealed that low education, low socioeconomic status, and food insecurity were significant predictors of reduced total energy intake, reduced energy from protein and fat, and greater energy from carbohydrates. Logistic regression confirmed that inadequate macronutrient intake was more common among the poor, food insecure, and less educated. CONCLUSIONS: Imbalanced dietary intakes among underprivileged women reflect lack of dietary diversity. Nutrition programs should be linked with social development, poverty reduction, education programs and behavior change counseling in order to improve the nutritional status of WRA in Vietnam.

A culture-specific nutrient intake assessment instrument in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND & AIM: To develop and evaluate a culture-specific nutrient intake assessment tool for use in adults with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Tbilisi, Georgia. METHODS: We developed an instrument to measure food intake over 3 consecutive days using a questionnaire format. The tool was then compared to 24 h food recalls. Food intake data from 31 subjects with TB were analyzed using the Nutrient Database System for Research (NDS-R) dietary analysis program. Paired t-tests, Pearson correlations and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess the agreement between the two methods of dietary intake for calculated nutrient intakes. RESULTS: The Pearson correlation coefficient for mean daily caloric intake between the 2 methods was 0.37 (P = 0.04) with a mean difference of 171 kcals/day (p = 0.34). The ICC was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.03-0.64) suggesting the within-patient variability may be larger than between-patient variability. Results for mean daily intake of total fat, total carbohydrate, total protein, retinol, vitamins D and E, thiamine, calcium, sodium, iron, selenium, copper, and zinc between the two assessment methods were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: This novel nutrient intake assessment tool provided quantitative nutrient intake data from TB patients. These pilot data can inform larger studies in similar populations.

Compliance to micronutrient supplementation in children 3 to 24 months of age from a semi-rural community in Mexico

OBJECTIVE: To identify associated factors to compliance for multiple micronutrient (MM) or iron and vitamin A (IVITA) supplementation, in children (3 to 24 months old). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database (n=465 children) from a randomized, controlled, clinical trial, carried out in a semi-rural setting in Mexico, was analyzed. The compliance rate of MM and IVITA supplements was calculated. Adequate compliance rate (AC>80%), and its association with children and households characteristics, was determined. RESULTS: The compliance mean was high (MM:78.2%, IVITA:80.1%; p<0.05). The odds of AC were 59% greater in the children of IVITA than with MM group, although the estimate was only marginally significant (p=0.052). Maternal education (p<0.001), child birth weight (p=0.003), and children with cough (p<0.001) or fever (p=0.024) were significantly associated with AC and significantly marginal was maternal indigenous (p=0.071). CONCLUSION: The high AC was consistent with others efficacy studies. More research is needed to document physiological, cultural, social and operative factors affecting compliance with supplementation.

OBJETIVO: Identificar factores asociados con el cumplimiento del consumo de suplementos con micronutrimentos múltiples (MM) o con hierro y vitamina A (FEVITA) en niños (<24 meses de edad). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Información de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado, doble ciego en una localidad semirrural en México. Se calculó el porcentaje de cumplimiento (n=465 niños), cumplimiento adecuado (CA: >80%) y su asociación con varias características. RESULTADOS: El cumplimiento fue alto (MM: 78.2%, FEVITA: 80.1%; p<0.05). Los momios de CA fueron 59% mayores en niños del grupo FEVITA que en MM (p=0.052). Escolaridad materna (p<0.001), peso al nacer del niño (p=0.003), porcentaje de tiempo con tos (p<0.001) y con fiebre (p=0.024) y marginalmente, la condición indígena materna (p=0.071) se asociaron con el CA. CONCLUSIONES: La alta tasa de cumplimiento fue consistente con otros estudios. Es necesaria mayor investigación sobre factores fisiológicos, culturales, sociales y operativos relacionados con el cumplimiento del consumo de suplementos.

Compliance to micronutrient supplementation in children 3 to 24 months of age from a semi-rural community in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To identify associated factors to compliance for multiple micronutrient (MM) or iron and vitamin A (IVITA) supplementation, in children (3 to 24 months old). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database (n=465 children) from a randomized, controlled, clinical trial, carried out in a semi-rural setting in Mexico, was analyzed. The compliance rate of MM and IVITA supplements was calculated. Adequate compliance rate (AC>80%), and its association with children and households characteristics, was determined. RESULTS: The compliance mean was high (MM:78.2%, IVITA:80.1%; p<0.05). The odds of AC were 59% greater in the children of IVITA than with MM group, although the estimate was only marginally significant (p=0.052). Maternal education (p<0.001), child birth weight (p=0.003), and children with cough (p<0.001) or fever (p=0.024) were significantly associated with AC and significantly marginal was maternal indigenous (p=0.071). CONCLUSION: The high AC was consistent with others efficacy studies. More research is needed to document physiological, cultural, social and operative factors affecting compliance with supplementation.

Opportunities for improving maternal nutrition and birth outcomes: synthesis of country experiences.

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition in women in poor countries remains prevalent and affects maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) outcomes. Improving MNCH outcomes requires better policies and programs that enhance women's nutrition. OBJECTIVE: The studies aimed to better understand awareness, perceptions, barriers to intervention, and policy and program priorities and approaches, through different platforms, addressing three related priority problems: anemia, intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR), and maternal thinness and stunting (including incomplete growth with early pregnancy). METHODS: Results of a global literature review on program effectiveness, and from case studies in Ethiopia, India, and Nigeria, were synthesized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Anemia can be reduced by iron-folate supplementation, but all aspects for successful implementation, from priority to resources to local capacity, require strengthening. For IUGR, additional interventions, offood supplementation or cash transfers, may be required for impact, plus measures to combat early pregnancy. Breaking the intergenerational cycle of women's undernutrition may also be helped by child nutrition programs. Potential interventions exist and need to be built on: iron-folate and multiple micronutrient supplementation, food fortification (including iodized salt),food supplementation and/or cash transfer programs, combatting early pregnancy, infant and young child nutrition. Potential platforms are: the health system especially antenatal care, community-based nutrition programs (presently usually child-oriented but can be extended to women), child health days, safety net programs, especially cash transfer and conditional cash transfer programs. Making these more effective requires system development and organization, capacity and training, technical guidelines and operational research, and advocacy (who takes the lead?), information, monitoring and evaluation.

Multiple micronutrient interventions during early childhood: moving towards evidence-based policy and program planning.

There is considerable evidence that micronutrient deficiencies affect child health and well-being. Although the benefits of strategies that improve diet quality and micronutrient density of foods consumed by small children combined with reducing infections are well recognized as optimal for promoting young child growth and development, they have been difficult to accomplish in many resource-poor settings and few countries have clear policies in support of integrated strategies to control micronutrient deficiencies. The focus of a recent symposium that was part of the Annual Meeting of the ASN held in Anaheim in April 2010 was on how we as the scientific community can help governments and organizations design nutrition and specifically micronutrient policies and programs based on the available evidence; papers that were based on the invited presentations are included in this Supplement. The first paper is a critical review of the current state of knowledge regarding the efficacy and effectiveness of multiple micronutrient interventions in developing country settings, followed by a paper that reviews key issues in evidenced-based policy and program development and includes a relevant example from Mexico where this has occurred. These are followed by a paper that describes a systematic process that is being proposed as a method to guide policy makers and program developers to strengthen program design and performance. The final paper is a summary that highlights areas where the nutrition research community has been successful in translating evidence into policy-relevant advice and where we can improve in this process.

Prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation impact on biochemical indicators during pregnancy and postpartum.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis was to test the impact of daily supplementation with multiple micronutrients (MM) during pregnancy on Zn, vitamin A and folate status compared to iron only (Fe). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out during 1997-2000 in a semi-urban community in Morelos state, Mexico. Women were randomly assigned to MM (n= 249) or Fe (n= 258) and received supplements daily (6 d/wk) under supervision by the field team from recruitment (approximately 9 weeks pregnancy) until delivery. Blood samples were collected on a sub-sample of women at baseline, 32 weeks pregnancy and one month postpartum (1PP) and assessed for serum zinc, retinol and whole blood folate (baseline and 1PP only). A breast milk sample was extracted at 1PP and assessed for retinol content. RESULT: At baseline there was no significant difference between supplementation groups in mean Zn, retinol or folate concentrations or the prevalence of deficiencies (Zn 12.2%, vitamin A 2.8%, folate 5.3%). Mean change in Zn and retinol concentrations from baseline to 32 weeks pregnancy did not differ between groups or between baseline and 1PP for Zn, retinol or folate. At 1PP, there was a tendency (p= 0.09) towards a lower prevalence of folate deficiency/depletion in the MM group (10.0%) than the Fe group (18.5%). CONCLUSIONS: MM supplementation during pregnancy did not improve zinc or vitamin A status compared to Fe only. There is some indication that folate status may have improved with MM supplementation despite low prevalence of deficiency. While lack of response in serum retinol may be explained by generally adequate status, the lack of impact on zinc status requires further exploration.

Prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation impact on biochemical indicators during pregnancy and postpartum / Efecto de la suplementación prenatal con micronutrimentos múltiples en indicadores bioquímicos durante el embarazo y el posparto

Objective. The objective of this analysis was to test the impact of daily supplementation with multiple micronutrients (MM) during pregnancy on Zn, vitamin A and folate status compared to iron only (Fe). Material and Methods. The study was carried out during 1997-2000 in a semi-urban community in Morelos state, Mexico. Women were randomly assigned to MM (n= 249) or Fe (n= 258) and received supplements daily (6 d/wk) under supervision by the field team from recruitment (approximately 9 weeks pregnancy) until delivery. Blood samples were collected on a sub-sample of women at baseline, 32 weeks pregnancy and one month postpartum (1PP) and assessed for serum zinc, retinol and whole blood folate (baseline and 1PP only). A breast milk sample was extracted at 1PP and assessed for retinol content. Result. At baseline there was no significant difference between supplementation groups in mean Zn, retinol or folate concentrations or the prevalence of deficiencies (Zn 12.2%, vitamin A 2.8%, folate 5.3%). Mean change in Zn and retinol concentrations from baseline to 32 weeks pregnancy did not differ between groups or between baseline and 1PP for Zn, retinol or folate. At 1PP, there was a tendency (p= 0.09) towards a lower prevalence of folate deficiency/depletion in the MM group (10.0%) than the Fe group (18.5%). Conclusions. MM supplementation during pregnancy did not improve zinc or vitamin A status compared to Fe only. There is some indication that folate status may have improved with MM supplementation despite low prevalence of deficiency. While lack of response in serum retinol may be explained by generally adequate status, the lack of impact on zinc status requires further exploration.

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de la suplementación diaria con múltiples micronutrimentos (MM) durante el embarazo en el estado de zinc, vitamina A y folato comparado con la suplementación sólo con hierro (Fe). Material y métodos. El estudio se realizó en una comunidad semiurbana en el estado de Morelos, México, entre 1997 y 2000. Las mujeres fueron asignadas aleatoriamente a recibir un suplemento de MM (n= 249) o Fe (n= 258) diariamente (6 días/semana), cuyo consumo fue supervisado por personal de campo, desde la evaluación basal (aproximadamente 9 semanas de gestación) hasta el parto. En una submuestra de mujeres participantes, se tomaron muestras de sangre venosa, a las 9 y 32 semanas de embarazo y al mes posparto (1PP). Se midieron las concentraciones séricas de zinc y retinol y la concentración de folato en sangre total, esta última sólo en la evaluación basal y al 1PP. Además se colectó una muestra de leche materna al 1PP, en donde se midió la concentración de retinol. Resultados. En la evaluación basal no hubo diferencias significativas entre grupos en las concentraciones promedio de zinc y retinol, ni en la concentración de folato o en la prevalencia de deficiencias (Zn 12.2%, vitamina A 2.8%, folato 5.3%). El cambio promedio en zinc y retinol de la evaluación basal a la semana 32 de embarazo, no fue diferente entre grupos, tampoco entre la evaluación basal y al 1PP en zinc, retinol o folato. Al 1PP hubo una tendencia (p= 0.09) a menor prevalencia de deficiencia/depleción de folato en el grupo de MM (10.0%) que en el grupo Fe (18.5%). Conclusiones. La suplementación con MM durante el embarazo no mejoró el estado de zinc y vitamina A comparada con la suplementación sólo con Fe. Sin embargo, el estado de folato puede haber mejorado con la suplementación con MM, a pesar de la baja prevalencia de deficiencia de folato. La falta de efecto...