Effectiveness of high micronutrient and energy dense powder on micronutrient deficiency and malnutrition of children 5-8 months of age at Dong Hy district, Thai Nguyen province

ABSTRACT

Two groups of children aged 5 to 8 months having the same socioeconomic condition, their mothers have been attended in the courses of nutrition communication and education, one group (control group) was fed with home-made powder, the other group (intervention group) was fed with a meal of high micronutrient and energy dense powder per day, for 6 months. The results showed that after intervention, concentration of Hb, ferritin, serum zinc and retinol of intervention children were significantly higher than those of the control group. Prevalence of anemia, exhausted iron storage, zinc and vitamin A deficiencies of intervention group significantly lower those of control group. Body length and height for age z-score (HAZ) of the intervention group were significantly higher than length and HAZ of the control group. 6 months follow-up after intervention cessation revealed that the HAZ and Hb of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group, respectively. High micronutrient and energy dense powder may improve micronutrient deficiency and nutritional status of intervention children