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ObjectiveTo describe trends in the prevalence of anaemia and Fe deficiency in children under 2 years of age living in a town in western Brazilian Amazonia.DesignTemporal analysis of two cross-sectional population-based surveys. Information on socio-economic status, morbidity and breast-feeding was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Child weight and length were measured for anthropometric evaluation. Concentrations of blood Hb, plasma ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor were measured.SettingThe town of Acrelândia, state of Acre, north-west Brazil.SubjectsA total of 170 and 224 participants of the 2003 and 2007 surveys, respectively.ResultsComparison between the 2003 and 2007 surveys revealed no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of anaemia (48 (95 % CI 39, 56) % to 40 (95 % CI 33, 47) %) or Fe-deficiency anaemia (39 (95 % CI 30, 48) % to 37 (95 % CI 30, 45) %), respectively. However, an increase in the overall prevalence of Fe deficiency from 62 (95 % CI 51, 68) % to 81 (95 % CI 75, 86) % was observed (χ2 test, P ≤ 0·001). In age- and sex-adjusted analyses for risk of Fe deficiency, only early introduction of cow's milk (ConclusionsNo improvements were observed in the prevalence of anaemia, exposing a worrying scenario for public health, while a significant increase was found in the prevalence of Fe deficiency in the studied infants and toddlers.

ObjectiveWe examined associations between the frequency of fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and nutritional deficiencies among Brazilian schoolchildren.DesignA cross-sectional, population-based study was performed. A short FFQ was used to assess consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V) over the past month. The prevalence ratios (PR) and 95 % confidence intervals for stunting, obesity, anaemia, vitamin A and folate deficiencies, vitamin E and vitamin D insufficiencies were estimated for low F&V consumption frequency (vegetables ≤3 times/month and fruits ≤3 times/week) and compared with children with usual F&V consumption frequency (vegetables ≥1 time/week and fruits ≥4 times/week).SettingAcrelândia, Western Brazilian Amazon.SubjectsA total of 702 children aged 4–10 years.ResultsOnly 5 % of children consumed F&V ≥5 times/d. Prevalence of deficiency was 31 %, 15 %, 9 % and 2 % for vitamins D, A, E and folate, respectively. Overall, 6·3 % of children were anaemic, 3·3 % were stunted, 2·7 % were obese and 33 % had multiple nutritional deficiencies. Low frequency of F&V consumption was associated with lower plasma concentrations of carotenoids and vitamin E. Nutritional deficiencies were higher among non-consumers of F&V when compared with usual consumers: anaemia (PR=1·9; 95 % CI 1·0, 3·7), vitamin E insufficiency (PR=2·5; 95 % CI 1·5, 4·2), vitamin D insufficiency (PR=1·5; 95 % CI 1·1, 1·9) and stunting (PR=2·6; 95 % CI 1·1, 6·1).ConclusionsIn our study, the occurrence of nutritional deficiencies in children with low F&V consumption was twice as high as in children with usual F&V consumption, reinforcing the importance of effective actions to promote the consumption of F&V.