ABSTRACT
Objectives: Food-based strategies remain the most sustainable solutions for combating micronutrient deficiencies. Crude palm oil being the richest natural source of ß-carotene, the study aimed to assess the impact of crude palm oil fortified cookies supplementation on anthropometry, vitamin A and hematological status of school children. Methods: 444 children (boys-226, girls-218), aged 5-13 years from two Municipal Corporation of Delhi primary schools were enrolled. By draw of lot, children from one of the schools formed the experimental (n = 224; boys-119, girls-105) while other formed the placebo group (n = 220; boys-107; girls-113). Children from the experimental group received six crude palm oil fortified cookies providing 2152 µg of ß-carotene while the placebo group received similar but non-fortified cookies each day for 50 school days. Anthropometry, vitamin A, and hematological status were assessed at baseline and post supplementation. Results: Post supplementation, the number of stunted subjects reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in the experimental group. There was a significant increase in plasma retinol (170.9%; mean change: 1.55 ± 1.30 µmol/L - experimental group vs. 0.45 ± 0.99 µmol/L - placebo group) and ß-carotene (p < 0.01; median change from 0.55 to 0.76 µmol/L - experimental group vs. 0.59 to 0.55 µmol/L -placebo group) concentrations of the experimental group. The increase in hematological parameters (mean change in Hemoglobin: 1.64 g/dL in experimental group vs. 2.10 g/dL in placebo group) of both the groups were however, comparable. Conclusion: To address micronutrient deficiencies particularly in developing nations, the use of crude palm oil should be encouraged through supplementary feeding programs by way of ready-to-eat snacks.
Subject(s)
Petroleum , Adolescent , Anthropometry , Child , Child, Preschool , Dietary Supplements , Female , Food, Fortified , Humans , India , Male , Nutritional Status , Palm Oil , Vitamin AABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Currently, the developing countries are afflicted with the dual burden of disease - non-communicable diseases (NCDs) becoming a major public health challenge. It is projected that in near future, NCDs will account for nearly 70% of the mortality in developing world. Caused due to lifestyle related factors, there is an upsurge in the incidence of overweight/obesity, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancers, respiratory diseases and mental illnesses. Appropriate dietary practices, increased physical activity, weight management, abstinence from tobacco/substance use and alcohol abuse play an important role in their prevention and management. This narrative review highlights the role of various dietary components - both nutrient and non-nutrient, in the prevention and risk reduction of NCDs. METHOD: It is a comprehensive overview of various experimental researches, observational studies, clinical trials, epidemiological studies, pooled/meta-analyses and reviews carried out globally, particularly the developing nations. Studies were retrieved by an extensive search of the online PubMed/Medline, SciVerse Scopus databases using individual/combination of several keywords like non-communicable diseases, energy, various nutrients, sugar sweetened beverages, functional foods, tea, coffee, spices/condiments/herbs, animal foods, nuts and oil seeds, physical activity, dietary practices, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, T2DM, respiratory diseases, lifestyle modifications, tobacco, smoking, alcohol and public health approaches. The review also highlights several preventive approaches for curbing NCDs in the developing world with special emphasis on dietary factors. CONCLUSION: Since the occurrence of NCDs is marked by a cumulative effect of various risk factors, urgent collective actions are needed to avert/prevent the same effectively.
Subject(s)
Developing Countries , Diet , Noncommunicable Diseases/prevention & control , Primary Prevention , Public Health Administration , Developing Countries/statistics & numerical data , Diet/methods , Diet Therapy/methods , Humans , Life Style , Noncommunicable Diseases/epidemiology , Nutritional Status , Primary Prevention/methods , Primary Prevention/organization & administration , Public Health Administration/methods , Public Health Administration/standards , Public Health Practice/standardsABSTRACT
The present study was designed to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of a once-a-day yoghurt drink providing 2 g plant sterols/d and capsules providing 2 g fish oil n-3 long-chain (LC) PUFA/d on plasma lipids, apolipoproteins and LDL particle size. Following a 2-week run-in period, 200 mildly hypercholesterolaemic Indian adults aged 35-55 years were randomised into one of four groups of a 2 x 2 factorial, double-blind controlled trial. The 4-week treatments consisted of (1) control yoghurt drink and control capsules, (2) control yoghurt drink and fish oil capsules, (3) plant sterol-enriched yoghurt drink and control capsules, or (4) plant sterol-enriched yoghurt drink and fish oil capsules. Blood was drawn before and after the 4-week intervention. Changes in health status, lifestyle and dietary habits, and daily compliance were recorded. The main effects of plant sterols were a 4.5 % reduction in LDL-cholesterol and a 15 % reduction in TAG without a significant change in HDL-cholesterol. Overall, fish oil n-3 LC-PUFA did not significantly affect cholesterol concentrations but reduced TAG by 15 % and increased HDL-cholesterol by 5.4 %. The combination significantly lowered TAG by 15 % v. control. No significant interaction between plant sterols and n-3 LC-PUFA was observed on plasma cholesterol concentrations. In conclusion, once-a-day intake of 2 g plant sterols/d in a yoghurt drink, 2 g fish oil n-3 LC-PUFA/d in capsules, and their combination had beneficial effects on the lipid profile of mildly hypercholesterolaemic Indian adults. The potent hypotriacylglycerolaemic effect of plant sterols observed in the present study and this population warrants additional investigation.
