Poor dietary quality of complementary foods is associated with multiple micronutrient deficiencies during early childhood in Mongolia

Public Health Nutrition

N Bolormaa¹  RS Gibson¹  R Lander¹  J Batjargal¹  D Enkhmyagmar¹  TS Enkhjargal¹  K Bailey¹  S Tungalag¹  U Tserendolgor¹ 

关键词: Mongolia;    Complementary food;    Micronutrients;    Infants;    Iron;    Zinc;   

DOI  :  10.1017/S1368980009991856

学科分类：卫生学

来源: Cambridge University Press

【 摘 要 】

ObjectiveTo assess whether persistent micronutrient deficiencies in Mongolian children identified in our earlier biochemical study are associated with inadequacies in quantity and/or quality in their complementary diets.DesignA cross-sectional study of breast-fed children aged 6–23 months, randomly selected from four districts in Ulaanbaatar and four provincial capitals.SubjectsWeight and length were measured, and sociodemographic status, feeding practices and nutrient adequacy of complementary foods for children aged 6–8 months (n 26), 9–11 months (n 29) and 12–23 months (n 73) were assessed via questionnaire and in-home interactive 24 h recalls.ResultsNo geographic differences existed so data were combined. Adherence to WHO infant and young child feeding practices was poor: few children were exclusively breast-fed up to 6 months of age or received the recommended number of feedings containing the recommended number of food groups. Nevertheless, energy intakes from complementary diets, primarily from cereals and non-nutritious snacks, were above WHO-estimated needs;vitamin C > vitamin A > Zn > Ca.ConclusionsComplementary feeding in Mongolia is compromised by deficits in several micronutrients but not energy, in part because of frequent consumption of non-nutritious snacks. The latter may interfere with breast-feeding and should be avoided. Instead, wheat-based complementary foods should be enriched with affordable cellular animal foods and fruits rich in vitamin C to combat existing micronutrient deficits.

【 授权许可】

Unknown