title: A multiple-micronutrient-fortified beverage affects hemoglobin, iron, and vitamin A status and growth in adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh.
abstract: Adolescent girls have high nutrient needs and are susceptible to micronutrient deficiencies. The objective of this study was to test the effect of a multiple-micronutrient-fortified beverage on hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, micronutrient status, and growth among adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh. A total of 1125 girls (Hb > or = 70 g/L) enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and were allocated to either a fortified or nonfortified beverage of similar taste and appearance. The beverage was provided at schools 6 d/wk for 12 mo. Concentrations of Hb and serum ferritin (sFt), retinol, zinc, and C-reactive protein were measured in venous blood samples at baseline, 6 mo, and 12 mo. In addition, weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements were taken. The fortified beverage increased the Hb and sFt and retinol concentrations at 6 mo (P < 0.01). Adolescent girls in the nonfortified beverage group were more likely to suffer from anemia (Hb <120 g/L), iron deficiency (sFt <12 microg/L), and low serum retinol concentrations (serum retinol <0.70 micromol/L) (OR = 2.04, 5.38, and 5.47, respectively; P < 0.01). The fortified beverage group had greater increases in weight, MUAC, and BMI over 6 mo (P < 0.01). Consuming the beverage for an additional 6 mo did not further improve the Hb concentration, but the sFt level continued to increase (P = 0.01). The use of multiple-micronutrient-fortified beverage can contribute to the reduction of anemia and improvement of micronutrient status and growth in adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh.
authors: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto and Research Institute, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada M5G 1X8. ziauddin.hyder@sickkids.ca
authors: S M Ziauddin
authors: SM
authors: Hyder
authors: Farhana
authors: F
authors: Haseen
authors: Marufa
authors: M
authors: Khan
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Schaetzel
authors: Chowdhury S B
authors: CS
authors: Jalal
authors: Mizanur
authors: M
authors: Rahman
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Lönnerdal
authors: Venkatesh
authors: V
authors: Mannar
authors: Haile
authors: H
authors: Mehansho
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D001628:Beverages; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012423:Rural Health; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D018977:Micronutrients; D014801:Vitamin A; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc