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Complementary Foods: Filling the Nutrition Gap

Explore the feasibility of introducing a soy-based micronutrient supplement in rural Honduras to address malnutrition issues, including partnering with local organizations and assessing the impact on child health and nutrition.

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Complementary Foods: Filling the Nutrition Gap

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  1. Feasibility of Introducing a Soy Based Micronutrient Supplement in Rural Honduras Complementary Foods: Filling the Nutrition Gap Vijaya Jain, MS,RD,CDN University of Illinois National Soybean Research Laboratory Urbana, Illinois International Food Aid Conference Kansas City, April 2009

  2. Honduras: Background • Population: 7 million • 3rd poorest country in Latin America and the Caribbean • Recurring natural disasters: Hurricanes, droughts, floods and landslides • Most vulnerable people greatly affected by disasters • High rates of food insecurity in affected areas

  3. Malnutrition in Honduras • Common Health Problems • Diarrhea • Respiratory infections • Typhoid • Malaria • Dengue fever • Chagas • HIV/AIDS Underweight children 20% Stunted children 29% Chronic malnutrition 20% In high poverty areas 40 to 50% Iron deficiency anemia 30 to 40% CARE report (2005) 58% to 87% malnutrition in eleven municipalities

  4. Optimal Feeding Guidelines • Starting breastfeeding within one hour of birth • Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months • Introducing appropriate and adequate complementary feeding after six months • Soy cereal combination provides necessary protein • Complementary foods should be fortified with micronutrients

  5. Complementary Food Study: Partnerships Ministry of Health Honduras San Rafael Foundacion Dispensario Gaudalupano, Tegucigalpa Aragua Clinica, Zambrano CIDE Laboratory

  6. Complementary Food Study • Objectives: -Reduce chronic malnutrition among infants and children (6 to 30 months of age) by adding a complementary food that contains small amounts of macro and micronutrients added to the current daily diet • Goals: -To reduce rates of chronic malnutrition -To reduce number & frequency of illnesses such as respiratory infections, diarrhea and skin problems -To reduce rates of anemia • Duration: 6 months - mid September 2008 to mid March 2009 • Size: 272 infants/children

  7. Training & Data • Health care providers, nurses, physicians, community leaders & volunteers • Obtained and recorded accurate heights/weights • Hemoglobin/hematocrit levels obtained by a certified technician • Taught nutrition and health education modules • Data Collection • Monthly heights & weights • Monthly health & nutrition assessments • Blood work at the first, third and sixth month of study

  8. Clinic Activities Initial enrollment Clinical & Health Assessments Nutrition & Health Education

  9. Measurements: Infants and Children

  10. Composition of Complementary Food and Placebo Issuance of Supplement Complementary or Placebo Products are coded and issued in identical looking canisters

  11. Challenges Transportation Clean water Untreated illnesses Volunteers Poverty

  12. Successes • Partnering with medical centers/clinics • High acceptance of products • No allergies • Improved health status • Increased awareness about benefits of health & nutrition • Demand for continuation of product usage • Enabled product manufacturer to increase production

  13. Preliminary Results • Both soy & control groups gained weight • Both soy & control groups increased in height • Improved hemoglobin levels in both groups • No difference in number of sick days reported between soy & control groups • Improved appetites & increased activity levels • Cost savings with the soy based product

  14. Future Plans • Verification of study results in new location • Increased numbers of children • Additional formulations • Partnering with a Honduran medical institute • Better understanding of product use and effectiveness • Creating system for sustainability

  15. Considerations for Program Development • Identify potential partners & collaborators prior to start up • Recruit & train local volunteers • Be cognizant of political environment • Seek local industry support • Stay within chosen scope of work

  16. Complementary Foods: Filling the Nutrition Gap Feasibility of Introducing a Soy Based Micronutrient Supplement in Rural Honduras Thank you! Vijaya Jain, MS,RD,CDN University of Illinois National Soybean Research Laboratory Urbana, Illinois Phone: 217-265-6865 Email: vjain@illinois.edu www.nsrl.uiuc.edu

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