Jana Nel1, Martha E van Stuijvenberg2, Serina E Schoeman2, Muhammad A Dhansay2, Carl J Lombard3, Lisanne M du Plessis4. 1. 1Integrated Nutrition Programme,Department of Health,Northern Cape,South Africa. 2. 2Nutritional Intervention Research Unit,Medical Research Council,PO Box 19070,Tygerberg 7505,Cape Town,South Africa. 3. 3Biostatistics Unit,Medical Research Council,Cape Town,South Africa. 4. 4Division of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,Stellenbosch University,Stellenbosch,South Africa.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution of liver to the vitamin A intake of 24-59-month-old children from an impoverished South African community where liver is frequently consumed and vitamin A deficiency previously shown to be absent. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Northern Cape Province, South Africa. SUBJECTS: Children aged 24-59 months (n 150). Vitamin A intake from liver was assessed using a single 24 h recall and a quantified liver frequency questionnaire. In addition, information on vitamin A intake via the national fortification programme was obtained from the 24 h recall and information on vitamin A supplementation from the Road-to-Health Chart. Height, weight and socio-economic data were also collected. RESULTS: Stunting, underweight and wasting were prevalent in 36·9 %, 25·5 % and 12·1 % of children. Mean daily vitamin A intake from liver was 537 and 325 μg retinol equivalents measured by the 24 h recall and liver frequency questionnaire, respectively. Liver was consumed in 92·7 % of households and by 84·7 % of children; liver intake was inversely related to socio-economic status (P < 0·05). The food fortification programme contributed 80 μg retinol equivalents and the vitamin A supplementation programme 122 μg retinol equivalents to daily vitamin A intake. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that liver alone provided more than 100 % of the Estimated Average Requirement of the pre-school children in this impoverished community. The results also challenge the notion generally held by international health bodies that vitamin A deficiency, poor anthropometric status and poverty go together, and reinforces the fact that South Africa is a culturally diverse society for which targeted interventions are required.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution of liver to the vitamin A intake of 24-59-month-old children from an impoverished South African community where liver is frequently consumed and vitamin A deficiency previously shown to be absent. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Northern Cape Province, South Africa. SUBJECTS:Children aged 24-59 months (n 150). Vitamin A intake from liver was assessed using a single 24 h recall and a quantified liver frequency questionnaire. In addition, information on vitamin A intake via the national fortification programme was obtained from the 24 h recall and information on vitamin A supplementation from the Road-to-Health Chart. Height, weight and socio-economic data were also collected. RESULTS: Stunting, underweight and wasting were prevalent in 36·9 %, 25·5 % and 12·1 % of children. Mean daily vitamin A intake from liver was 537 and 325 μg retinol equivalents measured by the 24 h recall and liver frequency questionnaire, respectively. Liver was consumed in 92·7 % of households and by 84·7 % of children; liver intake was inversely related to socio-economic status (P < 0·05). The food fortification programme contributed 80 μg retinol equivalents and the vitamin A supplementation programme 122 μg retinol equivalents to daily vitamin A intake. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that liver alone provided more than 100 % of the Estimated Average Requirement of the pre-school children in this impoverished community. The results also challenge the notion generally held by international health bodies that vitamin A deficiency, poor anthropometric status and poverty go together, and reinforces the fact that South Africa is a culturally diverse society for which targeted interventions are required.
Authors: Martha E van Stuijvenberg; Serina E Schoeman; Jana Nel; Carl J Lombard; Muhammad A Dhansay Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2015-11-12 Impact factor: 3.092
Authors: Martha E van Stuijvenberg; Serina E Schoeman; Jana Nel; Maretha le Roux; Muhammad A Dhansay Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2019-12-17 Impact factor: 3.092
Authors: Sonia Malczyk; Nelia P Steyn; Johanna H Nel; Gabriel Eksteen; Linda Drummond; Wilna Oldewage-Theron; Mieke Faber; Martha E van Stuijvenberg; Marjanne Senekal Journal: Nutrients Date: 2021-12-21 Impact factor: 5.717