NUTRITIONAL STATUS ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION WITH A RED PALM OIL BISCUIT AMONG PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN ATTENDING INFORMAL CRÈCHES, IN THE EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

M Opperman and L Olivier

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), 2023, vol. 23, issue 4

Abstract: Little information is available on the nutritional and health status of pre-school children attending informal crèches. The study aimed to determine the status of blood carotenoid, vitamin E, inflammatory markers and omega-3 fatty acids in children attending crèches in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Baseline measurements were followed by an intervention to determine the effect of a biscuit baked with red palm oil (RPO) shortening on these parameters. Forty-seven (n=47) children were randomly assigned to a RPO (Group A) (n=25) and non-RPO (Group B) (n=22) group. Group A received biscuits providing carotenoids, tocotrienols and α-tocopherol while Group B biscuits provided only tocotrienols and α-tocopherol. Biscuits were distributed daily during the school week. Blood samples were obtained at baseline, 3 months and 6 months during intervention as well as 6 months post intervention. At baseline, children showed a mild (10%) vitamin A deficiency, severe vitamin E deficiency (69%) while 98% presented with omega-3 fatty acid indexes below 8%. For vitamin E data was pooled as both groups received similar amounts of vitamin E while no significant differences were observed between the groups during the intervention. Significant increases (p ≤ 0.05) in α-tocopherol levels were observed in both groups at 3-, 6- and 6- months post intervention. Deficiency levels declined to 10% and 0% at 6- and 6-months post, respectively. In group A, plasma α-carotene levels (p ≤ 0.05) increased significantly from baseline (0.04 μmol/L; 95% CI: 0.03 – 0.06) at 3 (0.36 μmol/L; 95% CI: 0.29 – 0.45) and 6 months (0.48 μmol/L; 95% CI: 0.39 – 0.60). Similar significant (p ≤ 0.05) results were observed for plasma β-carotene levels (3 months (0.31 μmol/L; 95% CI: 0.27 – 0.40) and 6 months (0.33 μmol/L; 95% CI: 0.28 – 0.40). Consumption of a biscuit baked with RPO can play a significant role in alleviating vitamin E deficiency and can significantly increase plasma α- and β- carotene levels in pre-school children.

Keywords: Food; Consumption/Nutrition/Food; Safety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:ajfand:340689

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.340689

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