Development and acceptability of local animal source food supplements for reproductive age women in rural Vietnam

Abstract

Our objective was to develop and test the acceptability of daily local supplemental animal source foods (ASF) for rural reproductive‐age women in an observed research setting. Based on preliminary findings, usual diets posed significant risk (EAR cut‐point method) for deficiencies of iron, zinc, vitamin A, and B12. We surveyed local markets and collected data on seasonality, pricing, and composition of local ASF containing these micronutrients. ASF available on a daily basis were catalogued and local recipes adapted to a rotating cycle of mid‐morning supplemental foods. Preliminary testing revealed that lean pork, organ meats, and eggs, had the greatest acceptability. The recipes revised for acceptability and cost provided median 144 kcal, 9 mg iron, 3.3 mg zinc, 1000 μg RAE vitamin A, 7 μg vitamin B12 and 20 g protein/supplement. We implemented a 6‐month daily feeding trial in a sample of 117 non‐pregnant reproductive‐age women. Women consumed the supplements in a private setting under observation. Compliance, the number of supplements entirely consumed/supplements provided, was 98.5% over 6 months. This strategy could be adapted to a larger‐scale intervention and bring usual intakes of at‐risk micronutrients to RDA levels for pregnancy using acceptable local ASF recipes.