RESUMO
Milk feeding can be an effective response to the high prevalence of child undernutrition as it provides significant amounts of nutrients. This study investigated and compared the effects of coconut skim milk (CocoM) and coco-dairy milk blend (CDMB) to cow's milk (CM) on improving the nutritional status of Filipino schoolchildren. The study followed a randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel-group design. A total of 444 underweight/stunted schoolchildren aged 6.0-8.4 years old enrolled in Guadalupe Elementary School in Cebu City, Philippines, have participated. The participants were randomly allocated into three groups, that is, CocoM, CDMB, and CM, in which the milk products were packed in 200 ml color and number-coded bottles given for 95 days. The bottles were similar in form and shape, and the only differentiating factors were the code and color. Weight and height were measured using standard techniques. Nutritional indices such as weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), height-for-age z-score (HAZ), and BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) were measured using the WHO Child Growth Standards (CGS), and the acceptability test was measured using the 5-point facial hedonic scale. The study found that the mean WAZ and BAZ had significantly increased from baseline to endpoint across all groups. Moreover, the prevalence of underweight has also significantly declined from baseline to endpoint in all groups, and the prevalence of stunting significantly declined from baseline to endpoint in the CocoM group only. Lastly, the three milk products were rated as generally acceptable. Overall, the findings indicate that coconut milk consumption could be beneficial for improving a child's WAZ and BAZ, as well as improving the nutritional status of underweight and stunted schoolchildren. CocoM and CDMB were found to be equally beneficial to child nutrition as cow's milk. Hence, the present study suggests that CocoM and CDMB could be also provided in school-based feeding programs with the aim of targeting child undernutrition.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Globally, although progress in eliminating iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been reported, IDD is still considered to be a global health problem. As school-aged children are the most accessible population group, their urinary iodine (UI) concentration data are accepted and used as an indicator of IDD for the general population. The aim of this study was to reassess the national, regional, and provincial estimates of UI as a measure of IDD among Filipino school-aged children. METHODS: Casual urine samples were collected from 22 588 children, 6 to 12 y of age, from participating households in the eighth National Nutrition Survey. UI was determined based on the catalytic action of iodine in the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction and IDD was evaluated using criteria from the World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders criteria. RESULTS: The median UI level among Filipino school-aged children was 168 µg/L, corresponding to optimal iodine nutrition; whereas 23.2% had UI reflective of excessive iodine intake. Cjildren in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region had median UI level of 68 µg/L and 41.1% of participants had UI values <50 µg/L, which is indicative of mild iodine deficiency. Children from Guimaras and Zamboanga del Norte, or 2.4% of the provinces, had moderate iodine deficiency. CONCLUSION: Although the median UI level of school-age children was optimal, there are pockets of inadequacy and excessive intake that need special concern for targeted intervention.
