Evaluation of the effect of vitamin A-fortified margarine on the vitamin A status of preschool Filipino children.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the effects of consuming a highly hydrogenated, vitamin A (VA)-fortified margarine not requiring refrigeration on VA status of preschool children.


METHODS
A double-masked randomized community trial.


METHODS
Six rural villages in Cavite, Southern Luzon, the Philippines.


METHODS
296 and 285 children 3-6 y of age in the VA-fortified (experimental) and non-fortified (control) margarine groups, respectively.


METHODS
Each week for 6 months households were given 250 g of VA-fortified margarine [providing 28.8 micrograms retinol equivalents (RE) per g] or non-fortified (0 microgram RE) margarine of identical appearance for each enrolled child. Children's vitamin A status [serum retinol, xerophthalmia, and conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) status] and dietary intake were assessed at baseline and follow-up; margarine intake was monitored throughout the study.


RESULTS
Daily margarine intake per child averaged 27 g in the experimental group (providing 776 micrograms RE) and 24 g (0 microgram RE) in the control group. After 6 months, mean serum retinol increased from 26.4 to 28.8 micrograms/dl in the experimental group but decreased from 26.6 to 25.1 micrograms/dl in controls (P < 0.001 at 6 months); the multiple-adjusted increment over controls was 2.4 micrograms/dl (P < 0.01). More importantly, the prevalence of low serum retinol (< 20 micrograms/dl) decreased from 25.7 to 10.1% in the experimental group but remained unchanged in controls (26.7 to 27.7%) (P < 0.01 at 6 months). At follow-up no experimental children had developed xerophthalmia but 1.4 and 1.8% of controls developed nightblindness and Bitot's spots, respectively. There were no differences in CIC between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Consumption of VA-fortified margarine significantly improved VA status of preschool Filipino children.
Solon
F S
FS
Nutrition Center of the Philippines, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Solon
M S
MS
Mehansho
H
H
West
K P
KP
Sarol
J
J
Perfecto
C
C
Nano
T
T
Sanchez
L
L
Isleta
M
M
Wasantwisut
E
E
Sommer
A
A
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008383:Margarine; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010679:Philippines; D011897:Random Allocation; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*
D014801:Vitamin A; D008383:Margarine