Oral zinc supplementation positively affects linear growth, but not weight, in children 6-24 months of age

Childhood zinc deficiency is a common problem in many developing countries where people rely mainly on plant based diets with low zinc contents. Zinc supplementation is one of strategies to combat zinc deficiency and its consequences in children. The aim of this community trial was to examine the effect of zinc supplementation on the linear growth of children 6-24 months of age and to examine the feasibility of its implementation in the context of primary health care [PHC]. Rural community health centers providing maternal and child care in two areas with moderate rates of malnutrition were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups, including 393 and 445 children 6-24 months of age, respectively. Children in both groups received routine iron and multivitamin or vitamin A and D supplements through PHC services. Mothers of children in the intervention group were asked to give a single dose of 5 ml/day zinc sulfate syrup [containing 5 mg elemental zinc] to their children for 3 months while children in the control group did not receive the supplement. Anthropometric measurements were performed at baseline and on a monthly basis in both groups. We found a 0.5 cm difference in the height increment in the intervention group as compared with the control [P< 0.001]. Zinc supplementation had no effect on weight increment of children. Oral zinc supplementation was found to be both practical and effective in increasing linear growth rate of children less than 2 years of age through PHC

Parental determinants of overweight and obesity in Iranian adolescents: a national study

Overweight among adolescents is not only an important public health problem but also a problem affecting economic growth in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the parental determinants of overweight and obesity in Iranian adolescents at national level. This cross sectional study was conducted within the framework of the Comprehensive Study on Household Food Consumption Patterns and Nutritional Status of IR Iran during 2001-2003. In adolescents, anthropometric indices were defined based on the CDC 2000 cut-off points for age and gender-specific body mass index [BMI]. Parental characteristics were collected by questionnaire. Among the 7158 participating households, data on 7908 adolescents aged 11-19 years [3750 girls and 4158 boys] was analyzed. The prevalence of overweight [85-94th percentile] in boys and girls was 6.2%, and 8.7%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity [>/= 95th percentile] among boys and girls was similar [3.3%]. Parents' weight status, father's job and parents' education showed significant association with weight status in adolescents. Logistic regression analysis showed that parental overweight and obesity, parental education and father's job were the main parental determinants of overweight and obesity in Iranian adolescents. Parental overweight and obesity, parental education and father's job seem to be the major parental determinants of overweight in Iranian adolescents. Future prevention programs must take these risk factors into account

Effect of a school-based intervention based on social cognitive theory on fruit and vegetable consumption in middle school students in Tehran

Diet rich in fruits and vegetables is shown to be an important factor in prevention of chronic diseases. Adolescence is a critical period in adopting eating behaviors. Schools are important social environments in adolescents' lives; and are important settings for interventions that aim to improve eating behaviors, including fruit and vegetable intake. This study aimed to assess effectiveness of a school-based intervention based on social cognitive theory on fruit and vegetable [F and V] intake of female adolescents in Tehran. This experimental school based field trial was conducted on 296 female students aged 10-13 years old [157 in the intervention and 139 in the control groups]. The intervention included classroom nutrition education on F and V and increasing availability of Fand V through school buffet. Psychosocial characteristics of the students were assessed using a questionnaire and F and V intake were measured using 24-hr recall method, at baseline and after three months intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. After the intervention, vegetable and fruit intake were 0.6 and 0.63 servings higher in the intervention group compared to the controls. Knowledge and self-efficacy scores were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group. Home availability and observational learning scores were significantly decreased in the intervention group. Through the intervention process, many valuable experiences were gained to be used in future interventions