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Complementary Foods: Filling the Nutrition Gap
Feasibility of Introducing a Soy Based Micronutrient Supplement in Rural Honduras
Vijaya Jain, MS,RD,CDNUniversity of IllinoisNational Soybean Research LaboratoryUrbana, Illinois
International Food Aid ConferenceKansas City, April 2009
Honduras: Background
• Population: 7 million• 3rd poorest country in Latin America and the Caribbean• Recurring natural disasters: Hurricanes, droughts, floods and
landslides• Most vulnerable people greatly affected by disasters• High rates of food insecurity in affected areas
Malnutrition in Honduras
Underweight children 20%
Stunted children 29%
Chronic malnutrition 20%
In high poverty areas 40 to 50%
Iron deficiency anemia 30 to 40%
CARE report (2005) 58% to 87% malnutrition in eleven municipalities
Common Health Problems• Diarrhea• Respiratory infections• Typhoid• Malaria• Dengue fever• Chagas• HIV/AIDS
Optimal Feeding Guidelines
• Starting breastfeeding within one hour of birth
• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months
• Introducing appropriate and adequate complementary feeding after six months
• Soy cereal combination provides necessary protein
• Complementary foods should be fortified with micronutrients
Complementary Food Study: Partnerships
CIDE Laboratory
San Rafael Foundacion Dispensario Gaudalupano, Tegucigalpa
Aragua Clinica, Zambrano
Ministry of Health Honduras
Complementary Food Study
• Objectives:-Reduce chronic malnutrition among infants and children (6 to 30 months of age) by adding a complementary food that contains small amounts of macro and micronutrients added to the current daily diet
• Goals:-To reduce rates of chronic malnutrition-To reduce number & frequency of illnesses such as respiratory infections, diarrhea and skin problems-To reduce rates of anemia
• Duration: 6 months - mid September 2008 to mid March 2009
• Size: 272 infants/children
Training & Data
• Health care providers, nurses, physicians, community leaders & volunteers– Obtained and recorded accurate heights/weights – Hemoglobin/hematocrit levels obtained by a certified
technician– Taught nutrition and health education modules
• Data Collection– Monthly heights & weights– Monthly health & nutrition assessments– Blood work at the first, third and sixth month of study
Clinic Activities
Initial enrollment
Nutrition & Health Education
Clinical & Health Assessments
Measurements: Infants and Children
Composition of Complementary Food and Placebo
Products are coded and issued in identical looking
canisters
Issuance of SupplementComplementary or Placebo
Challenges
• Transportation
• Clean water
• Untreated illnesses
• Volunteers
• Poverty
Successes
• Partnering with medical centers/clinics
• High acceptance of products
• No allergies
• Improved health status
• Increased awareness about benefits of health & nutrition
• Demand for continuation of product usage
• Enabled product manufacturer to increase production
Preliminary Results
• Both soy & control groups gained weight
• Both soy & control groups increased in height
• Improved hemoglobin levels in both groups
• No difference in number of sick days reported between soy & control groups
• Improved appetites & increased activity levels
• Cost savings with the soy based product
Future Plans
• Verification of study results in new location– Increased numbers of children– Additional formulations
• Partnering with a Honduran medical institute– Better understanding of product use and
effectiveness
• Creating system for sustainability
Considerations for Program Development
• Identify potential partners & collaborators prior to start up
• Recruit & train local volunteers
• Be cognizant of political environment
• Seek local industry support
• Stay within chosen scope of work
Complementary Foods: Filling the Nutrition Gap
Feasibility of Introducing a Soy Based Micronutrient Supplement in Rural Honduras
Vijaya Jain, MS,RD,CDNUniversity of IllinoisNational Soybean Research LaboratoryUrbana, Illinois
Phone: 217-265-6865Email: [email protected]
Thank you!