Abstract Digest: Issue 5, June 2011

In each issue of Abstract Digest, Alive & Thrive summarizes recently published research, highlighting key information about infant and young child feeding practices as well as program implications. Clicking on the title will take you to the longer A&T summary.

The “dual burden” of malnutrition - both child stunting and maternal overweight in the same household – is common in Guatemala and associated with maternal characteristics

A cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative data for Guatemala indicated that 18% of households had at least one stunted child and an overweight mother. Risk factors identified for the coexistence of these 2 forms of malnutrition included maternal employment, indigenous ethnicity, short stature, and a greater number of live births.

Breastfeeding is nearly universal in 9 East and Southeast Asian countries, but rates of early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and continued breastfeeding at 2 years remain low

A cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative data from Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, People’s Republic of Korea, and Mongolia showed that more than 93% of all infants in these countries had ever been breastfed, but less than half were breastfed within one hour after birth, only 11-60% of infants 0-6 months of age were exclusively breastfed, and 28-67% of children were breastfed at 20-23 months of age. Breastfeeding practices could be improved by more effective intervention strategies.

Nutrition supplementation increases physical activity and exploratory behavior of infants in Mexico, and could improve physical and mental development

In a quasi-experimental study, Mexican infants who received multiple micronutrients or a fortified food supplement with multiple micronutrients and energy had greater physical activity and exploratory behavior than infants who received neither.

Fortified complementary foods and complementary food supplements fortified with micronutrients reduce iron deficiency and anemia among rural Vietnamese infants

In a study in which rural Vietnamese infants were randomized to receive a micronutrient fortified flour, a complementary food supplement, or no intervention from around 5 to 11 months of age, the 2 intervention groups experienced improved iron status and fewer days of illness.

Formative research is instrumental in designing locally-acceptable interventions that use micronutrient powders for home fortification of complementary foods

Formative research was conducted on the acceptability, utilization, and promotion of micronutrient powders (Sprinkles™) in villages in western Kenya, in preparation for a subsequent intervention that involved the direct sale of Sprinkles™ via community vendors. Sprinkles™ were found to be highly acceptable and easy to prepare and use. The formative research identified issues to be addressed prior to program implementation, particularly the development of locally appropriate visual and written instructions for usage of Sprinkles™.

Past Issues

Issue 4, January 2011

Issue 3, September 2010

Issue 2, April 2010

Issue 1, January 2010