Iron and n-3 fatty acid depletion, alone and in combination, during early development provoke neurochemical changes, anhedonia, anxiety and social dysfunction in rats.

Objectives: Both iron and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FA) play important roles in the development and functioning of the brain. We investigated the effects of n-3 FA and iron deficiencies, alone and in combination, during early development on behaviour and brain monoamines in rats. Methods: Using a 2-factorial design, female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to one of four diet groups: Control, n-3 FA deficient (n-3 FAD), iron deficient (ID), or n-3 FAD + ID. Females received these diets throughout mating, pregnancy and lactation. Offspring (n = 24/group; male:female = 1:1) continued on the same diet until post-natal day 42-45, and underwent a sucrose preference test (SPT), novel object recognition test, elevated plus maze (EPM) and social interaction test (SIT). Results: ID offspring consumed less sucrose in the SPT and spent more time in closed arms and less time in open arms of the EPM than non-ID offspring. In female offspring only, ID and n-3 FAD reduced time approaching and together in the SIT, with an additive effect of ID and n-3 FAD for even less time approaching and spent together in the n-3 FAD + ID group compared to controls. ID offspring had higher striatal dopamine and norepinephrine and lower frontal cortex dopamine concentrations. N-3 FAD and ID affected frontal cortex serotonin concentrations in a sex-specific manner. Conclusions: Our results suggest that ID and n-3 FAD during early development provoke anhedonia, anxiety and social dysfunction in rats, with potential additive and attenuating effects when combined. These effects may in part be attributed to disturbances in brain neurochemistry and may be sex-specific.

Animal-source foods as a suitable complementary food for improved physical growth in 6 to 24-month-old children in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Although animal-source foods are suitable complementary food for child growth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), their efficacy is still under discussion. This systematic review and meta-analysis was done to investigate the suitability of animal-source foods intake on child physical growth in LMICs. A systematic literature search was done using electronic databases and scanning the reference list of included studies, previous meta-analysis and systematic reviews. Paper selection was based on the PICO (ST) criteria. Papers were selected if based on 6 to 24-month-old children, if they were randomised controlled trials evaluating the effect of complementary animal-based food supplementation of any natural origin, if reporting at least a measure of body size and published after 2000. The PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic review was followed in the paper selection. Fourteen papers were included in the systematic review and eight were considered for the meta-analysis. Animal-based food supplementation resulted in a higher length-for-age LAZ and weight-for-age (WAZ) Z-scores compared with the control group with random effect size of 0·15 (95 % CI 0·02, 0·27) and 0·20 (95 % CI 0·03, 0·36), respectively. Results were confirmed after influence analyses, and publication bias resulted as negligible. An increased effect on LAZ and WAZ was observed when the food supplementation was based on egg with effect size of 0·31 (95 % CI = -0·03, 0·64) and 0·36 (95 % CI = -0·03, 0·75), respectively. Animal-source foods are a suitable complementary food to improve growth in 6 to 24-month-old children in LMICs.

n-3 long-chain PUFA promote antibacterial and inflammation-resolving effects in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected C3HeB/FeJ mice, dependent on fatty acid status.

Non-resolving inflammation is characteristic of tuberculosis (TB). Given their inflammation-resolving properties, n-3 long-chain PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA) may support TB treatment. This research aimed to investigate the effects of n-3 LCPUFA on clinical and inflammatory outcomes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected C3HeB/FeJ mice with either normal or low n-3 PUFA status before infection. Using a two-by-two design, uninfected mice were conditioned on either an n-3 PUFA-sufficient (n-3FAS) or -deficient (n-3FAD) diet for 6 weeks. One week post-infection, mice were randomised to either n-3 LCPUFA supplemented (n-3FAS/n-3+ and n-3FAD/n-3+) or continued on n-3FAS or n-3FAD diets for 3 weeks. Mice were euthanised and fatty acid status, lung bacterial load and pathology, cytokine, lipid mediator and immune cell phenotype analysed. n-3 LCPUFA supplementation in n-3FAS mice lowered lung bacterial loads (P = 0·003), T cells (P = 0·019), CD4+ T cells (P = 0·014) and interferon (IFN)-γ (P < 0·001) and promoted a pro-resolving lung lipid mediator profile. Compared with n-3FAS mice, the n-3FAD group had lower bacterial loads (P = 0·037), significantly higher immune cell recruitment and a more pro-inflammatory lipid mediator profile, however, significantly lower lung IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1ß and IL-17, and supplementation in the n-3FAD group provided no beneficial effect on lung bacterial load or inflammation. Our study provides the first evidence that n-3 LCPUFA supplementation has antibacterial and inflammation-resolving benefits in TB when provided 1 week after infection in the context of a sufficient n-3 PUFA status, whilst a low n-3 PUFA status may promote better bacterial control and lower lung inflammation not benefiting from n-3 LCPUFA supplementation.

Maternal postpartum depression in relation to child undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Perinatal (antenatal and postpartum) depression is increasingly becoming a global public health problem. Studies have shown that the presence of depression during the perinatal period impact on a mother's ability to adequately provide nutritional care for herself and her infants and young children. This may thus negatively influence the nutritional status of these vulnerable children resulting in poor growth, such as stunting which is currently a public health problem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the association between maternal postpartum depression and child growth in LMICs. Electronic databases were systematically reviewed by screening abstracts, titles, full text and additional data sources of eligible papers. Articles were eligible for inclusion if based on children aged 0 to 59 months, if reporting maternal postpartum depression as an exposure, if based on observational studies evaluating the relation between maternal postpartum depression and child growth, if reporting at least one physical growth indicator such as stunting as an outcome, and if published after 2000. Article selection was based on the PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. Twelve articles were included in the quantitative synthesis (12 for stunting, 8 for underweight and 2 for wasting). Maternal postpartum depression was observed to be associated with an increased risk of child stunting (1.87 (95% CI: 1.52, 2.30; I2 = 41.6%, p = 0.064)) and underweight (1.81 (95% Cl: 1.25, 2.62; I2 = 70.7%, p = 0.001)). These results were confirmed after influence analyses, with publication bias being negligible.      Conclusion: Maternal depression is a risk factor for poor child growth in LMICs. This study contributes to the knowledge on this topic and calls on policymakers to improve on its understanding, screening and treatment to alleviate the potential negative impact on child growth. What is Known: • Maternal postpartum depression is currently a public health relevance in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). • Maternal postpartum depression is a risk factor for poor nutritional status in children from LMICs. What is New: • Maternal postpartum depression is associated with an 80 to 90% increased risk of childhood stunting and underweight in LMICs. • The association between risk of childhood stunting and underweight with maternal postpartum depression is slightly influenced by geographical area, rural or urban location, by factors such as study design, study quality and sample size.

Iodine status of pregnant women living in urban Johannesburg, South Africa.

Adequate intake of iodine is important during pregnancy because of its essential role in foetal growth and neurodevelopment. Data on iodine status of South African pregnant women are scarce, and the salt reduction policy implemented in 2016 may decrease iodine intake of South Africans. This cross-sectional study assessed the iodine status of pregnant women residing in urban Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 250 pregnant women were enrolled into the 'Nutrition during Pregnancy and Early Development' (NuPED) study and 312 pregnant women into the 'Assessment of dried blood spot thyroglobulin in pregnant women to redefine the range of median urinary iodine concentration that indicates adequate iodine intake, South Africa' (STRIPE-SA) study and were included in this analysis. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was analysed in a spot urine sample. Thyroglobulin (Tg) was measured in serum, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and total thyroxine (tT4) were measured in dried blood spots. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] UIC of pregnant women was 144 (84-234) µg/L. Women in the first (n = 99), second (n = 262) and third (n = 174) trimester had a median UIC of 133 (81-316), 145 (84-236) and 156 (89-245) µg/L, respectively (p = 0.419). Median TSH, tT4 and Tg were 2.7 (2.3-3.2) mU/L, 202 (163-236) nmol/L and 9.2 (5.4-17.9) µg/L, respectively. Based on the median UIC, pregnant women residing in urban Johannesburg may be borderline iodine deficient. These findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of iodine status among vulnerable pregnant women, especially considering the recently introduced salt reduction policy in South Africa.

Associations of dietary diversity with anaemia and iron status among 5- to 12-year-old schoolchildren in South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of dietary diversity with anaemia and iron status among primary school-aged children in South Africa. DESIGN: An analysis was conducted with pooled individual data from the baseline surveys from three previously conducted independent intervention studies. Two different dietary diversity scores (DDS) were calculated based on data from 1-day (1-d) and 3-day (3-d) dietary recall periods, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associations of dietary diversity with anaemia and iron status. SETTING: KwaZulu-Natal and North West provinces, South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: Children (n 578) 5- to 12-year-old. RESULTS: A DDS ≤ 4 was associated with higher odds of being anaemic (1-d P = 0·001; 3-d P = 0·006) and being iron deficient (ID) (3-d P < 0·001). For both recall periods, consumption of 'vegetables and fruits other than vitamin A-rich' and 'animal-source foods (ASF)' was associated with lower odds of being anaemic (both P = 0·002), and 'organ meats' with lower odds of being ID (1-d P = 0·045; 3-d P < 0·001). Consumption of 'meat, chicken and fish' was associated with lower odds of being anaemic (P = 0·045), and 'vegetables and fruits other than vitamin A-rich', 'legumes, nuts and seeds' and 'ASF' with lower odds of being ID for the 3-d recall period only (P = 0·038, P = 0·020 and P = 0·003, respectively). CONCLUSION: In order to improve anaemia and iron status among primary school-aged children, dietary diversification, with emphasis on consumption of vegetables, fruits and ASF (including organ meats), should be promoted.

Diet and sedentary behaviour in relation to mortality in US adults with a cardiovascular condition: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey linked to the US mortality registry.

CVD is the most common chronic condition and the highest cause of mortality in the USA. The aim of the present work was to investigate diet and sedentary behaviour in relation to mortality in US CVD survivors. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted between 1999 and 2014 linked to the US mortality registry updated to 2015 were investigated. Multivariate adjusted Cox regression was used to derive mortality hazards in relation to sedentary behaviour and nutrient intake. A multiplicative and additive interaction analysis was conducted to evaluate how sedentariness and diet influence mortality in US CVD survivors. A sample of 2473 participants followed for a median period of 5·6 years resulted in 761 deaths, and 199 deaths were due to CVD. A monotone increasing relationship between time spent in sedentary activities and mortality risk was observed for all-cause and CVD mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 1·20, 95 % CI 1·09, 1·31 and HR = 1·19, 95 % CI 1·00, 1·67, respectively). Inverse mortality risks in the range of 22-34 % were observed when comparing the highest with the lowest tertile of dietary fibre, vitamin A, carotene, riboflavin and vitamin C. Sedentariness below 360 min/d and dietary fibre and vitamin intake above the median interact on an additive scale influencing positively all-cause and CVD mortality risk. Reduced sedentariness in combination with a varied diet rich in dietary fibre and vitamins appears to be a useful strategy to reduce all-cause and CVD mortality in US CVD survivors.

Associations of linoleic acid with markers of glucose metabolism and liver function in South African adults.

BACKGROUND: The relation between dietary and circulating linoleic acid (18:2 n-6, LA), glucose metabolism and liver function is not yet clear. Associations of dietary and circulating LA with glucose metabolism and liver function markers were investigated. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses in 633 black South Africans (aged > 30 years, 62% female, 51% urban) without type 2 diabetes at baseline of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study. A cultural-sensitive 145-item food-frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary data, including LA (percentage of energy; en%). Blood samples were collected to measure circulating LA (% total fatty acids (FA); plasma phospholipids), plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Associations per 1 standard deviation (SD) and in tertiles were analyzed using multivariable regression. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) dietary and circulating LA was 6.8 (±3.1) en% and 16.0 (±3.5) % total FA, respectively. Dietary and circulating LA were not associated with plasma glucose or HbA1c (ß per 1 SD: - 0.005 to 0.010, P > 0.20). Higher dietary LA was generally associated with lower serum liver enzymes levels. One SD higher circulating LA was associated with 22% lower serum GGT (ß (95% confidence interval): - 0.25 (- 0.31, - 0.18), P < 0.001), but only ≤9% lower for ALT and AST. Circulating LA and serum GGT associations differed by alcohol use and locality. CONCLUSION: Dietary and circulating LA were inversely associated with markers of impaired liver function, but not with glucose metabolism. Alcohol use may play a role in the association between LA and liver function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PURE North-West Province South Africa study described in this manuscript is part of the PURE study. The PURE study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03225586; URL).

Determining sample size adequacy for animal model studies in nutrition research: limits and ethical challenges of ordinary power calculation procedures.

Animal models are widely used in the field of nutrition research. Scientifically and ethically sound experiments need an adequate number of experimental units. The use of 5-10 units is common, but such sample sizes can be justified for large effect sizes only. We reviewed animal model studies recently published in selected journals in the field of nutrition sciences. We performed a simulation study aimed at determining the adequate sample size for normality assessment. We then performed power calculations for a number of statistical tests commonly found in rodent model studies in nutrition research. Among the selected papers, sample sizes ranged from 6-18 units per group. None of them justified the sample size. However, such sample sizes do not allow for normality testing, thus, graphical approaches should be used. Parametric approaches result in higher statistical power when compared to their non-parametric counterparts. Repeated measures analysis should always be preferred, when possible.

Dietary patterns of 6-24-month-old children are associated with nutrient content and quality of the diet.

We determined the associations of dietary patterns with energy/nutrient intakes and diet quality. Previously collected single 24-hr dietary recalls for children aged 6-11 months (n = 1,585), 12-17 months (n = 1,131), and 18-24 months (n = 620) from four independent studies in low socio-economic populations in South Africa were pooled. A maximum-likelihood factor model, with the principal-factor method, was used to derive dietary (food) patterns. Associations between dietary pattern scores and nutrient intakes were determined using Kendall's Rank Correlations, with Bonferroni-adjusted significance levels. For both 6-11 months and 12-17 months, the formula milk/reverse breast milk pattern was positively associated with energy and protein intake and mean adequacy ratio (MAR). The family foods pattern (6-11 months) and rice and legume pattern (12-17 months) were positively associated with plant protein, fibre, and PU fat; both for total intake and nutrient density of the complementary diet. These two patterns were also associated with the dietary diversity score (DDS; r = 0.2636 and r = 0.2024, respectively). The rice pattern (18-24 months) showed inverse associations for nutrient intakes and nutrient densities, probably because of its inverse association with fortified maize meal. The more westernized pattern (18-24 months) was positively associated with unfavourable nutrients, for example, saturated fat and cholesterol. These results highlight that underlying dietary patterns varied in terms of energy/nutrient composition, nutrient adequacy, nutrient densities of the complementary diet, and dietary diversity.

Food or nutrient pattern assessment using the principal component analysis applied to food questionnaires. Pitfalls, tips and tricks.

We considered the Blom's transformation, a statistical method aimed to normalise and standardise food intakes before principal component analysis. A simulation study was performed to evaluate the eigenvalue distribution of a correlation matrix under common conditions in food questionnaire analysis. The scree plot visual inspection and the Guttman-Kaiser (GK) criterion were compared to Horn's parallel analysis to evaluate their efficacy in food pattern identification. The scree plot results as a monotone continuous series when no food patterns are present. In this situation, about 50% of the eigenvalues assume a value higher than one, showing a first fallacy of the GK. When three food patterns are simulated a clear discontinuity appears after the third eigenvalue, showing that the scree-plot visual inspection is a suitable method to identify food patterns. Finally, according to the present work it appears that the GK generates a number of false-positive food patterns.

Nutritional status as a central determinant of child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: A quantitative conceptual framework.

Child mortality is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa and is influenced by nutritional status. A conceptual framework was proposed to explain factors related to undernutrition. Previously proposed conceptual frameworks for undernutrition do not consider child mortality and describe factors related to undernutrition from a qualitative viewpoint only. A structural equation modelling approach was applied to the data from World Bank and FAO databases collected from over 37 sub-Saharan countries from 2000 to the most recent update. Ten food groups, exclusive breastfeeding, poverty and illiteracy rates, and environmental hygiene were investigated in relation to underweight, stunting, low birthweight, and child mortality. Standardized beta coefficient was reported, and graphical models were used to depict the relations among factors related to under-five mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa ranged between 76 and 127 × 1,000. In the same period, low birthweight rate was about 14%. Poverty and illiteracy are confirmed to affect health resources, which in turn influenced nutritional status and child mortality. Among nutritional factors, exclusive breastfeeding had a greater influence than food availability. Low birthweight, more than underweight and stunting, influenced child mortality. Structural equation modelling is a suitable way to disentangle the complex quantitative framework among factors determining child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Acting on poverty at the base appear to be the more effective strategy along with improvement of breastfeeding practice and improvement of hygiene conditions.

Contribution of commercial infant products and fortified staple foods to nutrient intake at ages 6, 12, and 18 months in a cohort of children from a low socio-economic community in South Africa.

Fortification of two staple foods, maize meal and wheat flour (bread), is mandatory, and commercial infant products are widely available in South Africa. Using a 24-hr recall, we determined the contribution of these foods towards nutrient intakes at ages 6 (n = 715), 12 (n = 446), and 18 (n = 213) months in a cohort of children in a peri-urban community, North West province. On the day of recall, commercial infant products were consumed by 83% of children at 6 months, 46% at 12 months, and 15% at 18 months; fortified staples were consumed by 23%, 81%, and 96%, respectively. For consumers thereof, commercial infant products contributed 33% energy and 94% iron intakes at 6 months and 27% energy and 56% iron intakes at 12 months; nutrient densities of the complementary diet was higher than for nonconsumers for most micronutrients. For consumers of fortified staples, energy contribution thereof was 11% at 6 months versus 29% at 18 months; at 18 months, fortified staples contributed >30% of iron, zinc, vitamin A, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate; at 12 months, nutrient densities of the complementary diet were higher for zinc, folate, and vitamin B6 but lower for calcium, iron, vitamin A, niacin, and vitamin C than nonconsumers. At ages 12 and 18 months, ~75% of children had low calcium intakes. At 12 months, 51.4% of consumers versus 25.0% (P = 0.005) of nonconsumers of fortified staples had adequate intakes (>EAR) for all eight fortificant nutrients. However, despite fortification, nutrient gaps remain.

Associations of plasma total phospholipid fatty acid patterns with feeding practices, growth, and psychomotor development in 6-month-old South African infants.

The objective of this study was to assess plasma fatty acid (FA) patterns of 6-month-old South African infants and to determine their association with feeding practices, growth, and psychomotor development. Plasma total phospholipid FA composition (% of total FAs) of 6-month-old infants (n = 353) from a peri-urban township was analysed, and principal component and factor analysis were performed to identify plasma FA patterns. Feeding practices, anthropometric measurements, and psychomotor development scores were determined. Four major plasma phospholipid FA patterns were identified: A plant-based C18 FA, a high n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), a C16:1 and long-chain saturated fatty acid (SFA), and a high n-3 and low n-6 LCPUFA pattern. Formula feeding was associated with higher, whereas breastfeeding was associated with lower scores for the plant-based C18 FA and C16:1 and long-chain SFA patterns. On the other hand, breastfeeding, the consumption of cow's milk, and the consumption of semisolid foods were associated with higher scores, whereas formula feeding was associated with lower scores for the high n-6 LCPUFA pattern. Breastfeeding and the consumption of semisolids were also associated with higher high n-3 and low n-6 LCPUFA pattern scores. The C16:1 and long-chain SFA and high n-3 and low n-6 LCPUFA patterns were positively associated with psychomotor development scores. In 6-month-old South African infants, we identified distinct plasma FA patterns that presumably represent the FA quality of their diet and that are associated with psychomotor development. Our results suggest that breast milk is an important source of n-6 LCPUFAs and formula-fed infants may be at risk of inadequate LCPUFA intake.

Type of dietary fat intakes in relation to all-cause and cause-specific mortality in US adults: an iso-energetic substitution analysis from the American National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey linked to the US mortality registry.

Accumulating evidence indicates that saturated fat intake is related to mortality risk increase, whereas unsaturated fat intake is associated with reduced mortality risk. The aim of the present study was to estimate the mortality risk reduction related to a dietary change from saturated fat to mono- or polyunsaturated fat intake. The American National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted between 1999 and 2010 were linked to the 2011 national US death registry resulting in an observational prospective mortality study. Proportional hazards Cox models were used to evaluate the association between saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat with all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Substitution analysis was conducted to estimate an iso-energetic substitution of 10 % of the energy from dietary fat intake applied to the substitution of saturated fat with an equal amount of energy from monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat. The highest tertile intakes of saturated fat resulted in an increased risk (12 %) of all-cause and specific-cause mortality, whereas the highest tertile intakes of polyunsaturated fat resulted in a reduced risk (7 %) of all-cause and specific-cause mortality when compared with the corresponding lowest tertile. Iso-energetic substitution revealed that a substitution of 10 % of energy (from total fat) from saturated fat to an equal amount of energy from monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat resulted in a significant reduction of the mortality risk ranging from 4 to 8 %. Iso-energetic substitution of saturated fat with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat reduced all-cause and specific-cause mortality in US adults.

Sensitivity of fatty acid desaturation and elongation to plasma zinc concentration: a randomised controlled trial in Beninese children.

Zn status may affect fatty acid (FA) metabolism because it acts as a cofactor in FA desaturase and elongase enzymes. Zn supplementation affects the FA desaturases of Zn-deficient rats, but whether this occurs in humans is unclear. We evaluated the associations between baseline plasma Zn (PZn) concentration and plasma total phospholipid FA composition, as well as the effect of daily consumption of Zn-fortified water on FA status in Beninese children. A 20-week, double-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted in 186 school age children. The children were randomly assigned to receive a daily portion of Zn-fortified, filtered water delivering on average 2·8 mg Zn/d or non-fortified filtered water. Plasma total phospholipid FA composition was determined using capillary GLC and PZn concentrations by atomic absorption spectrometry. At baseline, PZn correlated positively with dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA, r 0·182; P=0·024) and the DGLA:linoleic acid (LA) ratio (r 0·293; P<0·000), and negatively with LA (r -0·211; P=0·009) and the arachidonic acid:DGLA ratio (r -0·170; P=0·036). With the intervention, Zn fortification increased nervonic acid (B: 0·109; 95 % CI 0·001, 0·218) in all children (n 186) and more so in children who were Zn-deficient (n 60) at baseline (B: 0·230; 95 % CI 0·023, 0·488). In conclusion, in this study, Zn-fortified filtered water prevented the reduction of nervonic acid composition in the plasma total phospholipids of children, and this effect was stronger in Zn-deficient children. Thus, Zn status may play an important role in FA desaturation and/or elongation.

Nutrition during pregnancy and early development (NuPED) in urban South Africa: a study protocol for a prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Adequate nutrition during pregnancy is important to ensure optimal birth outcomes, maternal health and offspring development. However, little is known about the dietary intake and nutritional status of pregnant women residing in urban South Africa. Therefore, the Nutrition during Pregnancy and Early Development (NuPED) cohort study was initiated to assess early nutrition-related exposures predictive of early childhood development in urban South Africa. METHODS: The aims of this prospective cohort study are: 1) to assess dietary intake and nutritional status of urban pregnant women in Johannesburg, South Africa, and 2) to determine associations with birth outcomes, measures of maternal health, as well as measures of offspring health and development. Pregnant women (< 18 weeks' gestation) (n = 250) are being recruited from primary healthcare clinics in Johannesburg and are followed-up at a provincial hospital. Participants' dietary intake and nutrient status (focus on micronutrients and fatty acids) are assessed at < 18, 22 and 36 weeks' gestation. Additional assessments during pregnancy include anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, obstetric ultrasound screens, and assessments of food security, maternal fatigue, prenatal depression, allergy, immune function, morbidity and gestational diabetes. At birth, maternal and neonatal health is assessed and an umbilical cord blood sample collected. Maternal and offspring health is followed-up at 6 weeks, as well as at 6, ≈7.5 and 12 months after birth. Follow-up assessments of mothers include anthropometric measures, diet history, nutrient status, blood pressure, breast milk composition, and measures of postnatal depression and fatigue. Follow-up assessments of the offspring include feeding practices, nutrient status, measures of growth, psychomotor, socio-emotional and immune development, morbidity, allergy, as well as analysis of the gut microbiome and the epigenome. DISCUSSION: Ensuring adequate nutrition during pregnancy is one of the key actions endorsed by the South African Government to promote optimal early childhood development in an effort to eradicate poverty. The results from this study may serve as a basis for the development of context-specific nutritional interventions which can improve birth outcomes and long-term quality of life of the mother and her offspring.

The prevalence and factors associated with stunting among infants aged 6 months in a peri-urban South African community.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with stunting in 6-month-old South African infants. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was part of the baseline of a randomized controlled trial. Weight-for-length, length-for-age and weight-for-age Z-scores were based on the WHO classification. Blood samples were analysed for Hb, plasma ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR). Socio-economic, breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices were assessed by questionnaire. Setting/Subjects Infants aged 6 months (n 750) from a peri-urban area of Matlosana Municipality, North West Province of South Africa. RESULTS: Stunting, underweight, wasting and overweight affected 28·5, 11·1, 1·7 and 10·1 % of infants, respectively. Exclusive breast-feeding to 6 months of age was reported in 5·9 % of the infants. Multivariable binary logistic regression showed that birth weight (OR=0·12; 95 % CI 0·07, 0·21, P8·3 mg/l) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The association between stunting and lower birth weight, shorter maternal height and male sex reflects possibly the intergenerational origins of stunting. Therefore, interventions that focus on improving preconceptual and maternal nutritional status, combined with strategies to promote appropriate infant feeding practices, may be an important strategy to prevent stunting in vulnerable settings.

Iodine status and associations with feeding practices and psychomotor milestone development in six-month-old South African infants.

Iodine is important for normal growth and psychomotor development. While infants below 6 months of age receive iodine from breast milk or fortified infant formula, the introduction of complementary foods poses a serious risk for deteriorating iodine status. This cross-sectional analysis assessed the iodine status of six-month-old South African infants and explored its associations with feeding practices and psychomotor milestone development. Iodine concentrations were measured in infant (n = 386) and maternal (n = 371) urine (urinary iodine concentration [UIC]), and in breast milk (n = 257 [breast milk iodine concentrations]). Feeding practices and psychomotor milestone development were assessed in all infants. The median (25th-75th percentile) UIC in infants was 345 (213-596) µg/L and was significantly lower in stunted (302 [195-504] µg/L) than non-stunted (366 [225-641] µg/L) infants. Only 6.7% of infants were deficient. Maternal UIC (128 [81-216] µg/L; rs  = 0.218, p < 0.001) and breast milk iodine concentrations (170 [110-270] µg/kg; rs  = 0.447, p < 0.0001) were associated with infant UIC. Most infants (72%) were breastfed and tended to have higher UIC than non-breastfed infants (p = 0.074). Almost all infants (95%) consumed semi-solid or solid foods, with commercial infant cereals (60%) and jarred infant foods (20%) being the most common solid foods first introduced. Infants who reported to consume commercial infant cereals ≥4 days weekly had significantly higher UIC (372 [225-637] µg/L) than those reported to consume commercial infant cereals seldom or never (308 [200-517] µg/L; p = 0.023). No associations between infant UIC and psychomotor developmental scores were observed. Our results suggest that iodine intake in the studied six-month-old infants was adequate. Iodine in breast milk and commercial infant cereals potentially contributed to this adequate intake.

Effect of African leafy vegetables on the micronutrient status of mildly deficient farm-school children in South Africa: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of African leafy vegetable (ALV) consumption on Fe, Zn and vitamin A status in children. DESIGN: Children were randomly allocated to receive either a 300 g cooked ALV dish and school meal starch (n 86) or the normal school meal (n 81) five times per week for three months. ALV in the dish consisted mainly of Amaranthus cruentus (at least 80 %) and the remainder of Cleome gynandra, Cucurbita maxima or Vigna unguiculata. Nutrient content and consumer acceptance of the ALV dish were also determined. SETTING: North West Province, South Africa. SUBJECTS: Grade R to grade 4 children (6-12 years old) of two farm schools. RESULTS: The ALV dish contributed 11·6-15·8 mg Fe and 1·4-3·7 mg Zn. At baseline, prevalence of deficiencies in the intervention group was 16·0 %, 16·3 %, 7·0 % and 75·6 %, respectively, for anaemia (Hb<11·5 g/dl), Fe (serum ferritin<15 µg/l), vitamin A (serum retinol<20 µg/dl) and Zn (serum Zn<65 µg/dl); and in the control group 10·5 %, 18·5 %, 2·5 % and 75·3 %, respectively. No significant estimated intervention effect was found. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized controlled trial showed that ALV were unable to improve serum retinol, serum ferritin or Hb if there are only mild deficiencies present. Furthermore, despite the low Zn status in the study population, ALV consumption did not improve serum Zn concentrations either.