Vitamin A Intake and Factors Influencing it Amongst Children and Caretakers in Kosrae, Micronesia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was undertaken in Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia to assess preschool children and caretaker dietary intake of vitamin A (VA) (including provitamin A carotenoids) and other nutrients contributing to VA status and to investigate relationships between VA intake and factors affecting dietary intake. Ethnography, food sample analysis, two Acknowledgement is made to The University of Queensland for provision of the International Postgraduate Ecology of Food and Nutrition 2005.44:307-338. 308 L. ENGLBERGER ET AL.dietary assessment methods (7-day food frequency questionnaire and quantitative 24-hour recall for three nonconsecutive days) administered by trained interviewers to a random sample group, and cultivar difference specification (yellow-fleshed versus white-fleshed bananas) contributed to the richness of the study. Vitamin A intake was low, approximately half of the estimated requirements for children (n = 65) and caretakers (n = 65), whereas protein intake was high. There were no clear significant relationships associated with gender, caretaker education, caretaker occupation, and socio-economic status with VA intake, indicating that a broad-based intervention over all population segments is needed to change dietary behavior. The ethnographic approach was critical for survey instrument development and data analysis.

Fish, food security and health in Pacific Island countries and territories: a systematic literature review

“… Consuming imported food was regarded as a sign of wealth and status by participants Englberger et al . [ 55 ] Kosrae 267 children aged 24–59 months and their caretakers 65 children aged 24–59 months and their caretakers Cross sectional study: 34-item 7-day FFQ Three non-consecutive 24 h dietary recall questionnaires Intake of total Vitamin A, retinol and protein (g). Sources of vitamin A Main dietary components included imported products of rice, flour, chicken, other meats and tinned fish and local products of breadfruit, banana, taro, fish and other seafood.…”

“…In Kosrae, a cross-sectional survey of children and their caretakers reported that local fish was the second most commonly consumed source of protein, after cooked chicken [ 55 ]. Mean intake of protein, both for children and adults, was above the average requirements, as defined by Latham [ 56 ].…”

“…In Kosrae, Micronesia, Englberger et al [ 55 ] reported that the mean daily intake of total vitamin A for all infants was less than half of the requirements estimated by the WHO and the FAO [ 55 ]. Yet both protein and fat intakes were above the estimated requirements and results were similar for infants’ caretakers.…”

Assessing diet in longitudinal birth cohort studies

“…If only a single nutrient or class of nutrient is of interest then data need only be collected on those foods that are a source of that nutrient. For example, this technique has been used in assessing intake of vitamin A 14 and of food allergens 15 . These shortened FFQs cannot be used to assess energy intake, however, and this is a major drawback.…”

“…Forsythe and Gage 20 describe a method of using focus groups to determine appropriate nomenclature, methods of preparation and cooking used in a multicultural community. Similar methods were used by Englberger and colleagues 14 in Micronesia to identify foods and beverages contributing to vitamin A intake. Other methods include undertaking diet histories of a sample of people living in the study area or using food disappearance data if available in the area.…”