Consuming Animal Source Foods Research Articles

Achieving adequate nutrition in a malnourished world: the role of sustainable diets and animal source foods

Malnutrition affects over half the world’s population, manifesting in myriad forms. Nearly 1 in 4 children never reach their full growth potential, while 1 in 2 lack key micronutrients essential for health and development.1 Furthermore, 1 in 3 women suffer from anemia, and 2 in 3 do not get enough vital micronutrients. At the same time, over 2 in 5 adults are overweight or obese, and 1 in 5 live with high blood pressure. These various forms of malnutrition lead to physical and cognitive impairments, increased susceptibility to infections and chronic diseases, and reduced quality and length of life. They also impose immense economic, social, and health burdens. In addition to harming human health, our food system damages the planet, generating greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change and depleting freshwater reserves. It also causes deforestation and habitat destruction which drive species to extinction. These grave harms to both human and environmental wellbeing demand urgent action. Transforming our food systems is imperative to promote nutritious diets that deliver adequate nutrition and protect against noncommunicable diseases, while simultaneously protecting our planet, its biodiversity, and natural resources. As a response, many call for drastically limiting consumption of animal source foods like meat, eggs, and dairy. They argue that these foods jeopardize both human health and environmental sustainability. However, is it possible to meet the nutritional needs of the global population with few animal source foods? What are the full impacts, both positive and negative, of animal source foods on human health and the environment? In this presentation, I will review the latest scientific evidence surrounding these questions. I will examine whether mindfully produced and consumed animal source foods can be part of the solution. Join me to explore these critical issues concerning sustainable nutrition and the role of animal source foods in our food system transformation.

Determinants of Metabolic Syndrome Among Patients Receiving Anti-Retro-Viral Treatment in A Tertiary Hospital, Central Ethiopia: Unmatched Case-Control Study.

Scaling up antiretroviral treatment (ART) reduces morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). This success is challenged by the constellation of interrelated metabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Given the changing ART regimens and schedules, increasing patient age and methodological limitations, existing evidence regarding the determinants of MetS remains inconclusive. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to identify the determinants of MetS in patients receiving ART at a tertiary hospital in central Ethiopia. We conducted an unmatched case-control study that included 393 patients with a case-to-control ratio of 1 to 2. Data were collected by interviewing patients, reviewing charts, physical examinations, and laboratory testing. The data were entered into Epi-Info version 7.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of MetS. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the strength of the association between MetS and its determinants. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. In this study, higher odds of developing MetS were identified among patients aged 40-60 years (AOR 3.75; 95% CI: 1.66-8.49) and those older than 60 years (AOR 6.18; 95% CI: 2.12-17.95) than among those aged < 40 years. Similarly, higher odds were observed among patients who frequently consumed animal source foods than among those who consumed cereals or vegetables (AOR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.03-3.63), those who had HIV lipodystrophy (AOR 1.73; 95% CI: 1.05-2.86), those who were treated with stavudine (AOR 3.08; 95% CI: 1.89-5.04), and those who were treated with zidovudine (AOR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.02-2.88) compared to their counterparts. Older age, diet from animal sources, exposure to zidovudine or stavudine, and the presence of lipodystrophy were independent determinants of MetS.

Knowledge, Attitude, Feeding Practices and Nutritional Status of Infants and Young Children in Eseka District, Cameroon

There is limited data on the anthropometric indices and feeding practices of infants and young children in Eseka despite the high burden of malnutrition. This study was designed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, feeding practices and nutritional status of children aged 0-24 months in Eseka District. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 287 children aged 0-24 months of both sexes together with their mothers or caregivers. Data were collected using a modified questionnaire developed by the FAO/WHO. Information on sociodemographic status, feeding habits and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Anthropometric measurements taken included weight, length, arm circumference and head circumference. The Z-score classifications for malnutrition; weight for length, length for age and weight for age were compared according WHO standards. A subset of 29 children were selected for 24 recall and a 3-day weighed food intake study. There was a low prevalence (47.38%) of early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. Only 2.44% practised exclusive breastfeeding, while 50% had introduced solids foods before five months and 22.54% after six months. Very few children (13.68% and 29.72%) consumed animal source foods and fruits respectively. The complementary foods consumed by the children were unbalanced, monotonous, poor in protein and some minerals such iron, and rich in fat. Furthermore, the study showed that 39.3%, 16.72% and 13.94% of children were stunted, wasted and underweight respectively. Stunting was highest in children under 6 months. The prevalence of stunting among children is severe public health problem in this age group. Some of the feeding practices are associated with poor nutritional status and can be improved with good nutrition education programs.

Nutrient and contaminant exposure from smoked European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus): Implications for children's health in Ghana

Inadequate nutrient intakes are frequent among young children in low- and middle-income countries, causing prevalent micronutrient deficiencies. In Ghana, small smoked fish are the most frequently consumed animal source foods, and both whole fish and different tissues of fish are commonly used in complementary foods. However, the risks and benefits associated with consumption of different tissues of smoked fish has not been explored. Samples of smoked European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) were collected from five regions in Ghana and divided into subsamples of different tissues: whole fish, heads and skin, and samples without heads and skin. The different tissues were subsequently analyzed for selected nutrients (vitamins, minerals, trace elements and fatty acids), heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A scenario referencing young children in Ghana (aged 6-23 months) was developed to assess the risks and benefits associated with daily consumption of different tissues of smoked European anchovy. We found that all tissues had the potential to substantially contribute to the recommended nutrient intakes of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids important for young child development. Samples of whole fish and of heads and skin contained levels of cadmium which exceeded the tolerable weekly intake greatly in the current scenario. All tissues contained elevated concentrations of BaP and PAH4 which exceeded the margin of exposure in the scenario, entailing potential consumer risk. A thorough assessment of dietary intakes of smoked fish products and refined risk-benefit assessments are therefore imperative to secure safe utilization of smoked fish in Ghana. • Different tissues of smoked European anchovy contain key nutrients for young children. • Whole fish or heads and skin combined exceeded the tolerable weekly intake for Cd. • All tissues contained elevated concentrations of PAHs, entailing potential consumer risk. • Refined risk-benefit assessments of smoked fish in Ghana are needed for safe utilization.

Using Machine Learning to Estimate the Heterogeneous Effects of Livestock Transfers

We evaluate a program in Guatemala offering training and transfers of a local chicken variety using a randomized phase‐in design with imperfect compliance. We do not find strong evidence for or against positive average intent‐to‐treat effects on household‐level outcomes, including indicators of expenditure, calorie and protein intake, diet quality, egg consumption and production, as well as chicken ownership and management. Among girls between the ages of six and sixty months, we find that the program reduced stunting by 23.5 (± 19.4) percentage points while also improving other height and weight outcomes. Boys are more likely to suffer from intestinal illness, which could explain differences in program impacts by gender. Using machine learning methods, we show that the poorest households enjoyed the largest impacts on diet quality and animal protein consumption, whereas children in the poorest households experienced the largest impacts on the probability of consuming animal source foods. Larger effects on animal source food consumption among children in relatively poor households did not translate into greater impacts on height or weight.

PERUBAHAN KONSUMSI PANGAN DAN ASUPAN VITAMIN A IBU MENYUSUI SESAAT DAN TIGA BULAN SETELAH MELAHIRKAN &lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Changes in Food Consumption and Vitamin A Intake of Breastfeeding Mothers in Moment and Three Months After Giving Birth&lt;/br&gt;&lt;/i&gt;

Adequate intake of vitamin A during lactation is very crucial due to its eff ect on retinol levels in breast milk. This study was aimed to analyze the changes in food consumption and vitamin A intake of lactating mothers in moment and three months after giving birth. This study used a cohort design for 3 months involving 295 breastfeeding mothers. Subjects were selected according to inclusion criteria including mother with normal labour and full term month normally and term, have a baby with normal birth weight, and maximum of a third parity. A 2x24 hour food recall questionnaire was used to determine nutrient intake and a food frequency questionnaire to determine the consumption habits of sources of vitamin A. The Wilcoxon test and paired t test were used in this study. The results of study showed that the most frequently consumed vegetables both shortly and three months after childbirth were tomatoes, 65% and 73.9% respectively. Most frequently consumed fruits were mangoes, 18.3% and 13.6%. While the most frequently consumed animal source foods were eggs, 68.1% and 79.7%, respectively. Among the consumption of vitamin A sources foods, only the consumption of tomatoes, milk, and cooking oil were found increase signifi cantly in three months after delivery (p &lt;0.05). The mean of protein, zinc and iron intake adequacy level were decrease signifi cantly in three months after delivery (p&lt;0.05), but not with fat and vitamin A intake (p&gt;0.05). It is necessary to increase the consumption of vitamin A food sources, especially during lactation to increase the content of vitamin A in breast milk to meet the needs of newborns and prevent vitamin A defi ciency both in mother and baby

Dietary diversity cutoff values predicting anemia varied between mid and term of pregnancy: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundCorrecting anemia during pregnancy often requires integrating food and non-food-based approaches. Nonetheless, little is known about specific dietary diversity (DD) cutoff values predicting risk of anemia during the different trimesters of pregnancy.ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the lowest possible DD cutoff values associated with risk of maternal anemia at mid and term of pregnancy in a rural resource limited setting of Ethiopia.DesignA multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted enrolling 432 eligible pregnant women from eight rural health centers selected from four districts in Arsi zone, Central Ethiopia. Women were classified into exposed (n = 216) and unexposed (n = 216) groups, based on Women’s Individual Dietary Diversity (WIDD) score, and were followed from mid to term of pregnancy. The cutoff values for WIDD corresponding to the lowest risk of anemia were defined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Logistic regressions were also fitted to identify food groups associated with low anemia risk during pregnancy.ResultsThe overall prevalence of anemia increased from 28.6 to 32.4% between mid and term of pregnancy. Calculatedly, using the ROC curve analysis, the minimum WIDD score associated with lower risk of anemia was three and four respectively at these periods. Not consuming animal source foods [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.35–4.14], pre-existing anemia (AOR 28.56; 95% CI, 14.33, 56.79), and low DD during pregnancy (AOR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.09–4.52) were associated with risk of anemia at term.ConclusionThe cutoff for WIDD score predicting risk of anemia varied significantly, increasing from three to four, between mid and term of pregnancy. Additional population-based observational and experimental studies validating the metrics are needed before policy level recommendations.Trial registrationThis trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02620943.

Prevalence and associated factors of zinc deficiency among pregnant women and children in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundPregnant women and children are the most vulnerable groups to zinc deficiency. Despite the presence of few primary studies, studies that could provide strong evidence that would help policymakers to develop appropriate interventional strategies in addressing zinc deficiency among pregnant women and children are limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the national pooled prevalence and associated factors of zinc deficiency among pregnant women and children.MethodsWe searched Pub Med, Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Google for studies reported on zinc deficiency and associated factors among pregnant women and children. Search terms were ‘zinc deficiency’, ‘zinc status’, ‘associated factors’, ‘children’, ‘pregnant women’, and ‘Ethiopia’ using the boolean operators ‘OR’ or ‘AND’. Searches were using English language. A preferred reporting item for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) checklist was used. Two authors independently reviewed the studies. The effect sizes of the meta-analysis were the prevalence of zinc deficiency and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of the associated factors. Finally, the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) version 3.3.07 was used for statistical analysis by applying the random-effects model and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s test.ResultsThirteen studies (7 among pregnant women having total participants of 2371 pregnant women and 6 among children with total participants of 5154 children) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Using the random-effects model, the pooled prevalence of zinc deficiency was 59.9% (95%CI: 51.9, 67.7%) and 38.4% (95%CI: 28.6, 49.4) among pregnant women and children, respectively. The associated factors for zinc deficiency among pregnant women were coffee intake (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =1.76), low intake of animal source foods (AOR = 2.57), and inadequate diet diversity (AOR = 2.12).ConclusionOverall, zinc deficiency among pregnant women and children is a significant public health concern in Ethiopia. Promoting dietary modification to enhance the bioavailability of zinc, improving diet diversity, and consuming animal source foods would help in alleviating and/or minimizing the problem among the target groups. Zinc supplementation could also be considered for pregnant women and children.

The Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women of Reproductive Age (MDD-W) Indicator Is Related to Household Food Insecurity and Farm Production Diversity: Evidence from Rural Mali

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe popularity of nutrition-sensitive interventions calls for high-quality monitoring and evaluation tools. In this context, the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women of Reproductive Age (MDD-W), validated as a proxy of micronutrient adequacy, does fill a gap. However, because it is a newly endorsed indicator, information on its linkages with other dimensions of food and nutrition security is still scarce.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate whether the MDD-W is related to household food insecurity and farm production diversity.MethodsA cross-sectional survey on a representative sample of 5046 women of reproductive age was conducted in the region of Kayes, Mali, in 2013. Dietary diversity was assessed through qualitative 24-h recall, and MDD-W was computed. MDD-W equaled 1 if the women consumed at least 5 different food groups and 0 otherwise. Food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and the Household Hunger Scale (HHS), and a farm production diversity score (FPDS) was calculated based on a count of food crops/livestock groups produced. Logistic regressions were used to assess the relation between MDD-W and the indicators of household food security.ResultsOnly 27% of women reached the MDD-W. These women consumed animal source foods and/or vitamin A-rich vegetables and fruits more frequently than did other women. Women from extremely food insecure households (moderate to severe hunger according to the HHS) were less likely to reach the MDD-W (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.97). One more group in the FPDS increased the odds of attaining the MDD-W (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.18).ConclusionIn the rural region of Kayes, Mali, women's dietary diversity, as measured by the MDD-W, was associated with household-level food security indicators. This study was registered at ISRCTN.org as ISRCTN08435964.

Animal Source Food Consumption in Young Children from Four Regions of Ethiopia: Association with Religion, Livelihood, and Participation in the Productive Safety Net Program.

Introduction: Child undernutrition remains a challenge globally and in the geographically diverse country of Ethiopia. Improving dietary diversity and consumption of animal source foods are important for improving child nutrition and corresponding health outcomes. Objective: The objective of the study was to identify household and community factors associated with consumption of animal source foods among 6 to 36-month-old children from four regions of Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using multistage probability sampling in eight geographic zones and four regions of Ethiopia took place in 2015 with parents/caretakers of 6 to 36-month-old children. Data was collected on demographic information, proxy indicators of socioeconomic status, and food consumed by the child the day before the survey. Results: Increased child age, pastoral livelihood, Muslim religion, and participation in the Productive Safety Net Program were associated with increased consumption of animal source foods. Odds of animal source foods consumption increased by 8% with each 3-month age increase. Children from pastoralist households were the most likely to have consumed animal source foods in the preceding 24 hours as compared with those in agro-pastoralist households (0.21 times as likely) or those in agriculturalist/farming households (0.15 times as likely). The odds of consumption of animal source foods for families with food aid or safety net support was 1.7 times greater among those receiving traditional support from the Productive Safety Net Program and 4.5 times greater for those in the direct support arm of the program. Conclusions: The findings illustrate the importance of accounting for local context and community characteristics, such as livelihood and religion, when undertaking programming designed to improve diversity of children’s diets through increasing animal source foods. In addition, the Productive Safety Net Program may be a critical determinant of dietary diversity for young children in these regions.

Child dietary quality in rural Nepal: Effectiveness of a community-level development intervention

Nutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions have the potential to improve child dietary quality in rural households, as evidenced by a growing body of work which concurrently measures agricultural and nutrition indicators. Our objective was to investigate whether children in rural farming communities of Nepal participating in a community-level, nutrition-sensitive development intervention had improved dietary quality compared with children living in non-participating matched rural communities. Six rural communities of Nepal where livelihoods were predominantly agricultural were selected to participate in the phased implementation of a community-level development intervention by Heifer International. Households and children in each community were surveyed at baseline, and follow-up surveys were implemented every six months for twenty-four months. Detailed data on food consumption for children older than 6months of age were collected using a 24h recall for 17 foods and food groups; parents responded for children. A difference-in-differences model with household fixed-effects and an analysis of covariance model were used to analyze the resulting panel data. Results indicated that the impacts of the intervention varied by agro-ecological region and by season. In the Hills region, which is poorer on average and more conducive to livestock production, children who had received the intervention for two years were 2.2 times as likely to have consumed food from an additional food group, 1.27 times as likely to have achieved minimum dietary diversity and 1.38 times as likely to have consumed animal source foods as children who received the intervention for only one year. In the Terai region, which is more conducive to crop production, there was no significant change in dietary quality attributable to the intervention. These results provide evidence that particularly vulnerable families can take advantage of community-level development activities. Given that the effects of community-level development activities were disparate across communities within the same country, we conclude that tailoring development activities for particular locations is necessary for success.

Dietary adequacy of rural school children among bambara groundnut growing farmers in Ntchisi district of Malawi

In Malawi, malnutrition among school-aged children as indicated by 30% stunting, 18% underweight and 3% wasting levels is a problem that is being addressed through school feeding programs. The nutritional status of school going children is dependent on household food security, education level of the parents, food preference of the parents and food preparation constraints. These factors affect food consumption patterns of children which is one of the determining factors of nutritional status. A study was, therefore, conducted to explore the food consumption patterns and diet adequacy for school going children aged 7-9 years in Kalira EPA of Ntchisi district in Malawi. Seventy eight school children whose parents were involved in bambara groundnut (Vigna unguiculata) farming were recruited for the study. Demographic information and data on food consumption pattern and intake during postharvest and pre-planting periods was collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included an interactive 24-hour dietary recall and dietary diversity score (DDS) tools. The children came from mainly male-headed households (91%) with 6 ± 2 members. The household heads had attained upper primary education and their main (89.7%) occupation was farming. The school-age children were consuming two carbohydrate based meals per day accompanied with leafy vegetables (34.1%) or stewed pulses (46.6%). Nsima (a stiff porridge made from maize flour) and thin maize flour porridge were the dominant carbohydrate sources in the diet. Only 12% of the children reported consuming animal source foods. Most of the school children were eating three times or less in a day with lunch and supper as the major meals. The diet of the school children did not meet the recommended dietary allowance for energy (69%), fat (21%), vitamin A (24%), iron (65%) and calcium (28%). However, the diet was providing adequate protein intake for the children. Snacks in the form of roasted sweet potatoes or maize and bananas were provided to 26.1% of the school children when going to school, while only 28.4% were provided with breakfast before going to school. Breakfast consisted of black tea or porridge made from whole maize flour. Diets of the majority (68%) of the school going had minimum diversity according to the diversity score. The dietary pattern for the school children was the same during the postharvest and pre-planting period.

Resistant starch does not affect zinc homeostasis in rural Malawian children

ObjectiveThis study tested the hypothesis that Malawian children at risk for zinc deficiency will have reduced endogenous fecal zinc (EFZ) and increased net absorbed zinc (NAZ) following the addition of high amylose maize resistant starch (RS) to their diet. MethodsThis was a small controlled clinical trial to determine the effects of added dietary RS on zinc homeostasis among 17 stunted children, aged 3–5 years consuming a plant-based diet and at risk for perturbed zinc homeostasis. Dual zinc stable isotope studies were performed before and after 28 d of intervention with RS, so that each child served as their own control. The RS was incorporated into fried wheat flour dough and given under direct observation twice daily for 28 d. Changes in zinc homeostatic measures were compared using paired Student's t-tests and linear regression analysis. ResultsChildren had a mean height-for-age Z-score of −3.3, and consumed animal source foods ≤twice per month. Their habitual diet contained a phytate:zinc molar ratio of 34:1. Children avidly consumed the RS without complaints. EFZ was 0.8±0.4mg/d (mean±SD) both before and after the intervention. Fractional absorption of zinc was 0.38±0.08 and 0.35±0.06 before and after the RS intervention respectively. NAZ was 1.1±0.5 and 0.6±0.7 before and after the RS intervention. This reduction of NAZ corresponded with diminished dietary zinc intake on the study day following intervention with RS. Regression analysis indicated no change in zinc absorption relative to dietary intake as a result of the RS intervention. ConclusionConsumption of RS did not improve zinc homeostasis in rural African children without zinc deficiency. RS was well tolerated in this setting.

Food security status and dietary intake among small farming families in Haiti (805.6)

Food insecurity (FIS) greatly affects small farmer families in Haiti. This study includes 502 Haitian households where FIS was estimated using the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale. FIS was categorized as mild (7.2%), moderate (28.3%), and severe (62.0%) FIS; 2.5% of the households were food secure. Food consumption was estimated for the month previous to the interview using a food frequency questionnaire. Findings show significant differences (p&lt;0.001) in the number of food items (fi) consumed at least once a week by FIS level: mild (33.5 fi), moderate (25.2 fi) and severe (22.1 fi). The number of staple food items consumed decreased as follows: mild FIS=7.5, moderate FIS=5.9, and severe FIS=5.0. Furthermore, with increasing FIS severity, mean food item consumption for nutrient dense food groups decreased, affecting the consumption of eggs, dairy, meat/fish, fruits and vegetables (p&lt;0.001). Additionally to a decreased consumption in the number of fi, the proportion of households consuming animal source foods decreased as FIS increased. For example, the proportion of households consuming eggs was 69% (mild FIS), 50% (moderate FIS), and 35% (severe FIS). Sugar intake remained the same across FIS categories, though. These results indicate that dietary diversity might decrease, as FIS turns more severe. Lower protein and micronutrient intake might have negative impacts on the nutrition status of Haitian farmer families. Differences in food intake between FIS levels demonstrate the need for differentiated interventions by FIS level.