Scoping review of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment studies in Khmer populations living in Cambodia

Abstract

Background: This scoping review aims to describe the body of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment research undertaken with Khmer populations in Cambodia, as well as summarise the nutrition knowledge base and highlight priority areas for future research. Methods: Five databases and the grey literature were searched, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies involving dietary assessment or nutrition interventions published after 1992 were identified using specific search terms and extracted to a customised data extraction table for categorisation and analysis. Study participants were Khmer people of any age and gender, living in rural or urban Cambodia. Results: Of the 100 included studies, 58 were dietary assessment only studies, 24 were nutrition interventions only, and 18 studies involved both assessment of intake and an intervention. Sixty-eight percent of study populations were mothers and young children, of which 52 studies focused on children aged under 5 years. Nineteen interventions involved supplementation and six trialled fortification of rice or fish sauce. Anaemia was the most common nutrition condition studied (n = 17), followed by malnutrition (n = 15) and malnutrition risk factors (n = 11). General nutrition status was explored in 25 studies, and individual micronutrients that were studied included iron (n = 27), zinc (n = 6), vitamin A (n = 4) and thiamine (n = 3). Conclusions: Diet-related research in Khmer populations in Cambodia has predominantly focused on dietary assessment or evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing malnutrition and resolving micronutrient deficiencies. Areas identified as emerging needs included non-communicable diseases, the ageing population and non-iron deficiency anaemia. Highlights• Previous research involving nutrition interventions and/or dietary assessment research among Khmer populations living in Cambodia has largely focused on malnutrition and anaemia. • Populations studied have been predominantly maternal and young children, addressing Sustainable Development Goals. • Supplementation and fortification interventions are prominent. • Wide variety of study outcomes involving dietary assessment, e.g., health behaviours, food security, intervention effectiveness and oral health, across different population groups.

Review of dietary assessment studies conducted among Khmer populations living in Cambodia

“…These include the first National Nutrition Strategy 2009–2015, 14 a National Nutrition Program's fast track road map for improving nutrition 2014–2020, 15 the National strategy for food security and nutrition 2019–2023, 2 and the Cambodia Nutrition project with World Bank 16 . Additionally, international researchers have conducted cross‐sectional studies and interventions to inform further policy and programme development 12,13 . Ninety percent of these studies reported being funded by external agencies, many in partnership with the Cambodian government 13 …”

“…Additionally, international researchers have conducted cross‐sectional studies and interventions to inform further policy and programme development 12,13 . Ninety percent of these studies reported being funded by external agencies, many in partnership with the Cambodian government 13 …”

“…Our recent scoping review included 100 food and nutrition studies with Khmer living in Cambodia, of which 42 involved a nutrition intervention, 76 were dietary assessment studies and 18 involved both nutrition intervention and assessment components 13 . Two‐thirds (68%) of studies were conducted among WRA and young children, and predominantly focused on malnutrition‐related issues and anaemia 13 .…”

“…Our recent scoping review included 100 food and nutrition studies with Khmer living in Cambodia, of which 42 involved a nutrition intervention, 76 were dietary assessment studies and 18 involved both nutrition intervention and assessment components 13 . Two‐thirds (68%) of studies were conducted among WRA and young children, and predominantly focused on malnutrition‐related issues and anaemia 13 . Thirty‐five dietary assessment studies explored a specific dietary component (vitamin A‐rich foods, sugar‐containing foods, snack foods) or a single food such as rice or fish, rather than having an overall or ‘whole diet’ focus.…”

“…Global health agencies and non-government organisations have partnered with the Cambodian government to address key nutritional and food security issues amongst Cambodians. 12,13 This primarily focuses on malnutrition-related strategies for mothers and children. These include the first National Nutrition Strategy 2009-2015, 14 a National Nutrition Program's fast track road map for improving nutrition 2014-2020, 15 the National strategy for food security and nutrition 2019-2023, 2 and the Cambodia Nutrition project with World Bank.…”