Mitigated Impact of Provision of Local Foods Combined with Nutrition Education and Counseling on Young Child Nutritional Status in Cambodia

Abstract

Background: In Cambodia, stunting and wasting affect, respectively, 32% and 10% of children 0–59 months while 55% are anemic. Our research aims to assess the efficiency of two local foods combined with nutritional education and counseling (CEN) activities as compared to CEN alone on improving child nutritional status and dietary intake. Methods: A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in Soth Nikum area over a six-month period among children 6–23 months (n = 360) assigned to receive either moringa +CEN, cricket +CEN or CEN alone. Anthropometric measurements were performed and hemoglobin and ferritin levels assessed. Results: Overall, no significant increase in the mean length/height-for-age z-score was observed, although a small increase of the weight-for-length/height was noted in intervention groups. Hemoglobin and ferritin mean values increased in all groups. The degree of satisfaction of energy, proteins, iron, and zinc requirements improved in all groups, but to a greater extent in the intervention groups and more children were healthy. Conclusion: Our research shows no significant impact of the provision of two local foods combined with CEN on the improvement of child nutritional status as compared to CEN alone. However, children consuming them better fulfilled their energy, iron, and zinc requirements and were healthier.

Determinants of Undernutrition among Young Children Living in Soth Nikum District, Siem Reap, Cambodia

“…Results of our research conducted in Soth Nikum district of Siem Reap province have also shown that the quality of the 6–23 months old child diet is limited, while only a few appeared to be healthy. In particular, data have revealed that energy, iron, and zinc requirements were not fulfilled, while the degree of satisfaction of protein requirements exceeds almost double the needs [11]. These findings are in accordance with others, which revealed inadequate nutrient intakes (especially iron and zinc) among Cambodian children [12,13,14].…”

“…The UNICEF conceptual framework of malnutrition is used for this purpose [3]. This paper complements our previous publication which has shown that nutritional status, dietary intake and health status of young children living in Soth Nikum district were not optimal [11].…”

Effect of diversified meals only, or either enriched with Amaranthus tricolor and Moringa oleifera leaf powder or commercial micronutrient powder on prevention/treatment of anemia in Adivasi children, West Bengal, India

“…A study on the Philippines conducted by Serafico et al [96] found no significant effects of snack foods enriched with 3g MLP on Hb, weight or height after 120 days in 8 to 10 year old underweight school children (mean baseline Hb of 12.5g/dl for IG n=61/CG n=60, respectively). Similarly, in a trial by Menasria et al [95] (assigning its subjects during analysis in the categories "actual intervention received" and "non-compliers", thus not following the intention-to-treat approach), the application of 16g MLP over six months showed no significant effects on Hb, Ferritin, HAZ or WHZ in Cambodian children aged 6 to 23 months as opposed to the CG (baseline Hb 10.1g/dl, n=39 (IG) versa 9.9g/dl, n=79 (CG)). Hb increases accounted for 0.5g/dl (IG) and 0.4g/dl (CG).…”

“…Indigenous nutrient-rich plant sources like Moringa oleifera are increasingly discussed as potential sustainable solution to combat malnutrition in children [88], [89], [90], [91], [92], [93], [94], [95], [96], [97], [98], [99], [100], [101], [102]. Descriptive studies (intra-group comparisons) comment positively on MLP application as preventive or treatment approach however bear distinct limitations:…”

Comparison of cricket diet with peanut-based and milk-based diets in the recovery from protein malnutrition in mice and the impact on growth, metabolism and immune function

“…As a dense source of micronutrients, vitamins and fatty acids, edible insects, in this instance crickets, may offer a viable alternative to protein sources that are traditionally used to treat malnutrition [37,38]. Furthermore, crickets alongside other types of edible insects, including palm weevil larvae and termites, can provide a socially acceptable food source for communities, women and children who are at a high risk of undernutrition [29,39,40]. In this context, edible insects may provide a novel approach to securing adequate food resources, while offering an opportunity to combat unsustainable food production made worse by the growing pressures of climate change [10].…”