Impacto del suministro de harina de maíz fortificada en la anemia de preescolares de zonas indígenas de México / Impact of the provision of fortified cornmeal on anemia in preschoolers in the indigenous areas of Mexico

Objetivo: Estimar los cambios a los 9 meses en el estado de anemia de preescolares tras suministrar harina de maíz fortificada con soja y una fórmula especial de hierro. Métodos: Estudio evaluativo no experimental pre-post en tres regiones de México en una muestra de 98 niñas y 96 niños, de 6-24 meses de edad. Se analizaron variables antropométricas, demográficas y bioquímicas. Resultados: La hemoglobina cambió en 9 meses de 11,0 a 11,9 mg/dl (p < 0,001). La prevalencia de anemia (hemoglobina <11,0 mg/dl) disminuyó del 52,6% al 25,3% (p < 0,001). Los indicadores talla/edad e índice de masa corporal cambiaron de -2,1 (-5,5 a 2,8) a -2,3 (-6,5 a 1,3) (p < 0,001) y de 0,4 (-3,1 a 2,9) a 0,7 (-2,2 a 3,9) (p < 0,001), respectivamente. Conclusiones: La disminución de la prevalencia de anemia sugiere suministrar harina fortificada con harina de soja (3%) y hierro, como alternativa viable para combatir la anemia infantil (AU)

Objective: To estimate changes in anemia status in preschool age children at 9 months after the provision of soy- and iron-fortified cornflour. Methods: A non-experimental pre-post evaluation study was performed in a sample of 98 boys and 96 boys aged between 6 and 24 months. We analyzed demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical variables. Results: During the 9-month period, the hemoglobin level increased from 11.0 to 11.9 mg/dL (p < 0,001). The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin <11.0 mg/dL) decreased from 52.6% to 25.3% (p < 0,001). The indicators of height for age and body mass index changed from -2.1 (-5.5 to 2.8) to -2.3 (-6.5 to 1.3) (p < 0,001) and from 0,4 (-3.1 to 2.9) to 0,7 (-2.2 to 3.9) (p < 0,001), respectively. Conclusions: The decreased prevalence of anemia suggests that the provision of soy- (3%) and iron-fortified flour is a viable alternative for combating childhood anemia (AU)

[Impact of the provision of fortified cornmeal on anemia in preschoolers in the indigenous areas of Mexico]. / Impacto del suministro de harina de maíz fortificada en la anemia de preescolares de zonas indígenas de México.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate changes in anemia status in preschool age children at 9 months after the provision of soy- and iron-fortified cornflour. METHODS: A non-experimental pre-post evaluation study was performed in a sample of 98 boys and 96 boys aged between 6 and 24 months. We analyzed demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical variables. RESULTS: During the 9-month period, the hemoglobin level increased from 11.0 to 11.9 mg/dL (p<0,001). The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin <11.0mg/dL) decreased from 52.6% to 25.3% (p<0,001). The indicators of height for age and body mass index changed from -2.1 (-5.5 to 2.8) to -2.3 (-6.5 to 1.3) (p<0,001) and from 0,4 (-3.1 to 2.9) to 0,7 (-2.2 to 3.9) (p<0,001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased prevalence of anemia suggests that the provision of soy- (3%) and iron-fortified flour is a viable alternative for combating childhood anemia.