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Adolescence, a stage of growth between 10 and 19 years, is a transitional period of intense cognitive, emotional and physical development. Though iron deficiency is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among this age group, nutritional interventions targeting adolescents are rare. To inform policy and practice aimed at adolescent health, we established the burden of anaemia among school‐going adolescents in Center West Burkina Faso and investigated the potential explanatory factors. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2021. Blood samples, socio‐demographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric, dietary and water, sanitation and hygiene data from 2947 students aged 10–18 years were collected. Anaemia was determined by the World Health Organization's sex‐ and age‐specific haemoglobin concentrations. χ2 tests and logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with anaemia. The prevalence of anaemia among adolescents in the sample was 36.2%, including 24.2% mild, 11.6% moderate and 0.4% severe anaemia. Compared to males, females were 19% less likely to have mild anaemia (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 0.81; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.689, 0.955) but 42% more likely to be moderately or severely anaemic (aOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.102, 1.831). Among iron‐rich foods, tamarind (aOR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.610, 0.929) and pumpkin leaves (aOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.605, 0.974) were associated with lower odds of anaemia. Several water, sanitation and hygiene factors were associated with higher haemoglobin, including handwashing after toilet use (β = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.031, 0.966) and tooth brushing twice daily (β = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.030, 0.354). Anaemia among adolescents in Burkina Faso should be addressed with interventions targeting diet, sanitation and hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid‐based nutritional supplements (LNS) and fortified blended flours (FBF) are widely used to increase the nutrient density of children's diets and improve their health, but their effectiveness could be modified by displacement of other foods. We reanalysed data from a cost‐effectiveness trial comparing impacts on anthropometry of three FBFs (Corn Soy Blend Plus [CSB+], Corn Soy Whey Blend [CSWB], SuperCereal Plus [SC+]) and one LNS (Ready‐to‐use Supplementary Food [RUSF]) among infants aged 7–23 months in Burkina Faso. Using dietary diversity data from a single 24‐h recall period (n = 1,591 children, observed once over 18‐month study period), we fit logistic regression models to estimate differences in intake of each food group making up the infant and young child minimum dietary diversity score and linear models to test for differences in dietary diversity score among children in each supplement arm. We tested for differences in breastfeeding time using the subsample for which breastfeeding was observed (n = 176). Children who consumed one of the three FBFs had lower odds of consuming household grains, roots and tubers compared with the LNS consumers (odds ratios [ORs] = 0.35–0.47; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 0.20–1.05). Consumption of other foods, dietary diversity and breastfeeding did not differ significantly at the 5% significance level. FBFs displaced the household's own cereals more than LNS, with no difference in the child's consumption of other more nutrient‐rich family foods. Given limited stomach capacity and feeding time, providing fortified cereals may help improve children's overall diet quality in settings where children would otherwise be fed nutrient‐poor root crops or cereal grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Global food insecurity persists despite continued international attention, necessitating evidence-based food assistance interventions that adequately address nutritional concerns. In June 2018, the US Agency for International Development's Office of Food for Peace through the Food Aid Quality Review (FAQR) project sponsored a "Food Assistance for Nutrition Evidence Summit" to share evidence relevant to policy and programmatic decision-making and to identify critical evidence gaps.Objective: This article presents 4 priority areas to advance nutrition in the international food assistance agenda generated through presentations and discussions with the food assistance community at the Evidence Summit.Methods: Priority areas were identified after the Evidence Summit using a combination of FAQR team discussions, review of presentations and official notes, and supporting literature.Results: Key priority areas to advance nutrition in the international food assistance agenda are as follows: (1) increase research funding for food assistance in all contexts, paying particular attention to emergency settings; (2) research and adopt innovative ingredients, technology, and delivery strategies in food assistance products and programs that encourage long-term well-being; (3) redefine and expand indicators of nutritional status to capture contextual information about the outcomes of food assistance interventions; and (4) augment communication and collaboration across the food assistance ecosystem.Conclusions: These priorities are critical in a time of increased humanitarian need and will be key to fostering long-term resilience among vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]