1. Micronutrient gaps during the complementary feeding period in seven countries in Southeast Asia: A Comprehensive Nutrient Gap Assessment.
- Author
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White JM, Drummond E, Bijalwan V, Singhkumarwong A, Betigeri A, and Blankenship J
- Subjects
- Child, Infant, Humans, Asia, Southeastern, Vitamins, Food, Fortified, Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Micronutrients, Trace Elements
- Abstract
The complementary feeding period is a critical stage of child development when micronutrient needs are high and challenging to meet. Understanding if specific micronutrient gaps exist during this period is critical for effective programming. A Comprehensive Nutrient Gap Assessment (CONGA) was conducted in seven countries in Southeast Asia to estimate gaps in micronutrients commonly lacking in the diets of children aged 6-23 months and to establish the certainty of available evidence for each identified gap. Sixty-eight evidence sources were identified during this analysis, and 310 micronutrient-specific data points were identified across all seven countries. Data points varied in recency, representativeness and evidence type. The CONGA methodology enabled the estimation of a gap burden rating for each micronutrient in each country, as well as a rating of their evidence certainty. Micronutrient gaps were identified in vitamin D, zinc and iron and a potential gap was identified in calcium during the complementary feeding period in the region. Evidence relevant to intake and deficiency of folate, vitamin B
12 , thiamine, niacin, vitamin C and vitamin B6 was limited across the region. Proven strategies to address these gaps include increasing the availability and consumption of nutrient-dense foods, micronutrient supplementation, large-scale fortification of staple foods and condiments and point-of-use fortification through multiple micronutrient powders and fortified speciality foods. More recent data on micronutrient availability, intake and deficiency is urgently needed in Southeast Asia., (© 2023 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)- Published
- 2023
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