Impact of a Complementary Feeding (CF) Intervention on Nutrient Intake and Prevalence of Adequate Diet Among 12-month-old Infants in Rural Zimbabwe (P10-028-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of a complementary feeding (CF) intervention comprised of behavior-change communication (BCC) and small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQLNS) on the intake of macro- and micronutrients and prevalence of adequate diet between the intervention (CF) and nonintervention (non-CF) group of a trial in rural Zimbabwe. MethodsWe conducted a sub-study within the Sanitation Hygiene Infant Nutrition Efficacy (SHINE) trial. The CF group received BCC messages on CF and SQLNS supplementation from 6 to 18 months. The SQLNS was provided in 20 g –1 day sachets each contributing about118 kcal day–1. To measure nutrient intake, we conducted multi pass 24-hour dietary recalls among a randomly selected sample of 195 caregivers when their infants were 12 months old. For 10% of the sample a second dietary recall was conducted 1–3weeks after the first one. The CF (n = 100) group was compared with the non-CF group (n = 95) for differences in macro- and micronutrients intake including SQLNS and from non-supplement foods only. Prevalence of dietary adequacy was assessed using the measurement-error method and also compared between the CF and non-CF group. ResultsDietary energy intake was significantly (P = 0.014) higher among CF (470 kcal/day) than non-CF (395 kcal/day) infants. The CF group also had significantly (all P < 0.001) higher intakes of all micronutrients assessed, which included vitamin A, folate, calcium, iron and zinc. Intakes of all macro- and micronutrients from non-supplement foods did not differ significantly between the CF groups, which suggests that there was no additional effect of the BCC intervention on consumption and no replacement of non-supplement foods by SQLNS. The prevalence of dietary adequacy was significantly higher in the CF intervention arm for all nutrients. ConclusionsThe CF intervention improved macro- and micronutrient intake and prevalence of adequate diet. This difference resulted from the SQLNS supplementation with no additional benefit from the BCC intervention. Funding SourcesSupported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the UK Department for International Development and Borlaug LEAP fellowship.