Mieke Faber1, Paul J van Jaarsveld2, Ernie Kunneke3, H Salomé Kruger4, Serina E Schoeman5, Martha E van Stuijvenberg2. 1. Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; Non-communicable Diseases Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address: mieke.faber@mrc.ac.za. 2. Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; Non-communicable Diseases Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa. 3. Division Dietetics, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. 4. Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. 5. Nutritional Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the vitamin A and anthropometric status of South African preschool children from four areas with known distinct eating patterns. METHODS: Serum retinol, anthropometric indicators, and dietary intake were determined for randomly selected preschool children from two rural areas, i.e. KwaZulu-Natal (n = 140) and Limpopo (n = 206); an urban area in the Northern Cape (n = 194); and an urban metropolitan area in the Western Cape (n = 207). RESULTS: Serum retinol <20 μg/dL was prevalent in 8.2% to 13.6% children. Between 3% (urban-Northern Cape) and 44.2% (rural-Limpopo) children had received a high-dose vitamin A supplement during the preceding 6 mo. Vitamin A derived from fortified bread and/or maize meal ranged from 65 μg retinol activity equivalents (24%-31% of the Estimated Average Requirement) to 160 μg retinol activity equivalents (58%-76% Estimated Average Requirement). Fortified bread and/or maize meal contributed 57% to 59% of total vitamin A intake in rural children, and 28% to 38% in urban children. Across the four areas, stunting in children ranged from 13.9% to 40.9%; and overweight from 1.2% to 15.1%. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was lower than national figures, and did not differ across areas despite differences in socioeconomics, dietary intake, and vitamin A supplementation coverage. Rural children benefited more from the national food fortification program in terms of vitamin A intake. Large variations in anthropometric status highlight the importance of targeting specific nutrition interventions, taking into account the double burden of overnutrition and undernutrition.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the vitamin A and anthropometric status of South African preschool children from four areas with known distinct eating patterns. METHODS: Serum retinol, anthropometric indicators, and dietary intake were determined for randomly selected preschool children from two rural areas, i.e. KwaZulu-Natal (n = 140) and Limpopo (n = 206); an urban area in the Northern Cape (n = 194); and an urban metropolitan area in the Western Cape (n = 207). RESULTS: Serum retinol <20 μg/dL was prevalent in 8.2% to 13.6% children. Between 3% (urban-Northern Cape) and 44.2% (rural-Limpopo) children had received a high-dose vitamin A supplement during the preceding 6 mo. Vitamin A derived from fortified bread and/or maize meal ranged from 65 μg retinol activity equivalents (24%-31% of the Estimated Average Requirement) to 160 μg retinol activity equivalents (58%-76% Estimated Average Requirement). Fortified bread and/or maize meal contributed 57% to 59% of total vitamin A intake in rural children, and 28% to 38% in urban children. Across the four areas, stunting in children ranged from 13.9% to 40.9%; and overweight from 1.2% to 15.1%. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was lower than national figures, and did not differ across areas despite differences in socioeconomics, dietary intake, and vitamin A supplementation coverage. Rural children benefited more from the national food fortification program in terms of vitamin A intake. Large variations in anthropometric status highlight the importance of targeting specific nutrition interventions, taking into account the double burden of overnutrition and undernutrition.
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: Laurencia Govender; Kirthee Pillay; Muthulisi Siwela; Albert Modi; Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2016-12-27 Impact factor: 3.390
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
Authors: Marieke Vossenaar; Noel W Solomons; Siti Muslimatun; Mieke Faber; Olga P García; Eva Monterrosa; Kesso Gabrielle van Zutphen; Klaus Kraemer Journal: Nutrients Date: 2021-11-10 Impact factor: 5.717