An Assessment of the Potential Impact of Fortification of Staples and Condiments on Micronutrient Intake of Young Children and Women of Reproductive Age in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has experienced rapid economic growth and achieved major health improvements in the past decade, but malnutrition rates remain high. A nationally representative study conducted in 2011 assessed the dietary habits of 841 children 24-59 months old, 1428 children 6-14 years old, and 1412 nonpregnant, nonlactating women. The study's objective was to assess dietary intakes of key micronutrients and the consumption pattern of potentially fortifiable foods, and then to model the potential impact of the fortification of key staple foods. The current intakes of several micronutrients-namely, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin B12-were found to be insufficient to meet the needs of Bangladesh's children and women. The fortification of rice with iron and zinc and edible oil with vitamin A has the potential to fill a significant part of the nutrient gap, as these are consumed widely and in significant amounts. Wheat flour and sugar are not as promising food vehicles in the Bangladeshi context, as they were consumed by a smaller portion of the population and in smaller amounts. In conclusion, fortification of rice and oil is recommended to address the large gap in micronutrient intakes.
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Geneva 1211, Switzerland. magali.leyvraz@gmail.com.
Magali
M
Leyvraz
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Phnom Penh 12201, Cambodia. alaillou@unicef.org.
Arnaud
A
Laillou
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (ICDDR), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. sabuktagin@icddrb.org.
Sabuktagin
S
Rahman
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (ICDDR), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. tahmeed@icddrb.org.
Tahmeed
T
Ahmed
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (ICDDR), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. ashafiq@icddrb.org.
Ahmed Shafiqur
AS
Rahman
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (ICDDR), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. nalam@icddrb.org.
Nurul
N
Alam
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (ICDDR), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. santhia@icddrb.org.
Santhia
S
Ireen
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Geneva 1211, Switzerland. dpanagides@gainhealth.org.
Dora
D
Panagides
D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000367:Age Factors; D001459:Bangladesh; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003212:Condiments; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019049:Developed Countries; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D004435:Eating; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005433:Flour; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009821:Oils; D012275:Oryza; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D012098:Reproduction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health
D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D018977:Micronutrients; D009821:Oils
Bangladesh; food fortification; micronutrients; oil; rice; wheat flour; women of reproductive age; young children