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Effects of Providing Micronutrient Powder Along with Complementary Food Blend in Improving the Nutritional Status of Young Filipino Children
Dissertation Abstract:
This cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of micronutrient powders (MNP) containing 15 versus nine nutrients, with or without complementary food blend, on the micronutrient and anthropometric status of young children 6–17 months old in Calauan, Laguna, Philippines.
Randomly selected barangays were assigned to one of four groups: VitaMix (15 micronutrients) plus BigMo complementary food blend, VitaMix without BigMo, MGM (nine micronutrients) plus BigMo, and MGM without BigMo. A total of 126 young children completed the six-month study period. VitaMix and MGM supplements were mixed into complementary food given to children at home thrice a week and daily, respectively. Finger prick blood collection was done at baseline and endline to determine hemoglobin, ferritin, retinol, zinc, and c-reactive protein levels. Weight, recumbent length, and dietary intakes, including feeding practices, were collected every month. McNemar and Pearson’s x² tests were used to compare changes in the proportion estimates within group and across groups, respectively. One-way ANOVA was used to compare changes in the mean estimates across groups. Paired t-test was used to compare changes in the mean estimates within groups at two time points.
Both VitaMix and MGM with or without BigMo blends were found to significantly improve children’s intake of all micronutrients (except calcium), thereby contributing to meeting their age-specific requirements for micronutrients. Both VitaMix and MGM with or without BigMo blends had the same effects on improving hemoglobin level and reducing anemia (of any kind). However, only VitaMix and MGM combined with BigMo had effects on reducing moderate anemia. Only MGM with BigMo group demonstrated significant reduction in the prevalence of moderate non-iron deficiency anemia (IDA) at the end of the study. No significant impact on mean level of iron (ferritin), including reductions in IDA prevalence, were noted in all groups. All interventions contributed to the maintenance of normal levels of stored retinol among study children. The proportions of stunted children and those with zinc deficiency decreased in the MGM with BigMo and MGM without BigMo blends, respectively, but not in the VitaMix groups. Moreover, a significant increase in the length-far-age z scores was noted in the MGM with and without BigMo blends but not in the VitaMix with and without BigMo.
Daily supplementation of MGM with nine micronutrients combined with complementary food blend and supported by education may have a greater potential in addressing anemia, zinc deficiency, stunting, and improving linear growth of young children in similar settings