Effect of a 12-mo micronutrient intervention on learning and memory in well-nourished and marginally nourished school-aged children: 2 parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled studies in Australia and Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the combined effect of micronutrients and essential fatty acids on cognitive function in school-aged children. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the effect of micronutrients, long-chain n-3 fatty acids, or both on indicators of cognitive performance in well-nourished and marginally nourished school-aged children. DESIGN: Two 2-by-2 factorial randomized controlled double-blind trials were performed home-based in Adelaide, South Australia, and at 6 primary schools in Jakarta, Indonesia. A total of 396 children (aged 6-10 y) in Australia and 384 children in Indonesia were randomly allocated to receive a drink with a micronutrient mix (iron, zinc, folate, and vitamins A, B-6, B-12, and C), with docosahexanoic acid (DHA, 88 mg/d) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 22 mg/d), or with both or placebo 6 d/wk for 12 mo. Biochemical indicators were determined at baseline and 12 mo. Cognitive performance was measured at baseline, 6 mo, and 12 mo. RESULTS: The micronutrient treatment significantly improved plasma micronutrient concentrations in Australian and Indonesian children. DHA+EPA treatment increased plasma DHA and total plasma n-3 fatty acids in both countries. The micronutrient treatment resulted in significant increases in scores on tests representing verbal learning and memory in Australia (estimated effect size: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.46). A similar effect was observed among Indonesian girls (estimated effect size: 0.32; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.64). No effects were found on tests measuring general intelligence or attention. No effects of DHA+EPA on the factors of cognitive tests were observed. CONCLUSION: In well-nourished school-aged children, fortification with multiple micronutrients can result in improvements in verbal learning and memory.

Attitudes, values, and socio-demographic characteristics that predict acceptance of genetic engineering and applications of new technology in Australia.

Studies of community reactions to biotechnology and genetic engineering (GE), in particular, have identified a number of correlates of acceptance, including the field of application of a technology and various characteristics of the perceiver. Factor analysis of acceptability ratings (N=686) of 12 applications of new technologies revealed three factors, denoting medical, societal, and indulgent applications. Acceptability ratings of each application and of GE in principle were regressed onto 18 demographic, attitudinal, trust, and value variables previously identified as potential correlates of acceptance. Predictive profiles for acceptance of medical and societal applications were largely similar. General receptiveness toward science and technology was the primary predictor of GE acceptance and a major predictor of acceptance for each application area. Environmental concern and self-transcendent (e.g., pro-nature) values did not predict acceptance in any instance. Findings clarify considerations associated with acceptance of biotechnological innovations and support arguments against knowledge- and trust-deficit explanations of resistance to technology.

Dietary guidelines: the development process in Australia and New Zealand.

There is increasing pressure on those developing public health guidelines such as the US Dietary Guidelines to take an evidence-based approach to review of the literature that is increasingly used for clinical practice guidelines. While the public health arena poses a number of problems in terms of the types of evidence available in many instances, one of the consequences of a move to an evidence-based approach will be an increased demand on time and resources. Different countries have varying approaches to the development of dietary guidelines. This paper outlines the approaches used in Australia and New Zealand. It highlights the dependence on the goodwill of academics and other health professionals with limited capacity to undertake major, structured, evidence-based review of the extensive literature relevant to dietary guideline development. It further highlights the potential value of cross-country collaboration in establishing and maintaining a centralized, accessible evidence base for development or review of dietary guidelines.