BMC Nutrition最新文献

{"title":"Dietary outcomes of moderately wasted children treated in a food voucher program in Cameroon's Far North: a three-month longitudinal study.","authors":"Brice Ulrich Saha Foudjo, Ismael Teta, Jennifer Notkin Nielsen, Yunhee Kang, Georges Nguefack-Tsague, Carole Debora Nounkeu, Djeinam Touré, David Doledec, Julius Oben","doi":"10.1186/s40795-025-01041-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-025-01041-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Many interventions in Cameroon focus on addressing severe wasting rather than targeting moderate wasting, although the latter is more prevalent. The objective of the study was to evaluate dietary outcomes in a program designed to treat moderate wasting using a food voucher program (FVP) tested in the Far North, examining the factors associated with dietary outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A three-month longitudinal study was carried out by an independent team of researchers within the context of a one-year humanitarian project designed to treat children with moderate wasting (middle-upper arm circumference [MUAC] measures 115-125 mm) by providing caretakers with a bi-weekly voucher to redeem for a predefined basket of foods together with essential hygiene and nutrition education. A sample of 474 children were randomly selected from the cohort enrolled in the program for inclusion in the study. Using a pre/post-test design, we evaluate the effect of the receipt of food vouchers on dietary outcomes using as indicators minimum dietary diversity (MDD) for children aged 6-23 months and dietary diversity scores (DDS) for children aged 24-53 months. Mixed logistic and linear regressions were used to identify factors from socio-demographic data and program activities (cooking demonstrations and nutrition education, perception of food safety, food basket sharing, and lasting) associated with these variables. Life table analysis was employed to assess the likelihood of achieving MDD among children aged 6-23 months.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The likelihood of children aged 6-23 months meeting MDD increased from 19.9% at the beginning of the study to 100% after 12 weeks. Among older children, average DDS increased from 3.2 at entry to 5.1 at the two-week mark and remained constant for the duration of the study. A negative perception among caregivers of the safety of redeemed food items was negatively associated with achieving MDD (adjusted RR = 0.50, p = 0.012). The consumption of food basket contents by other family members was negatively associated with DDS (adjusted coef. = 0.33, p = 0.047).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The FVP was effective in improving the dietary diversity of MAM children aged between 6 and 59 months in Cameroon's Far North.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"11 1","pages":"58"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11929175/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The use of social media to promote unhealthy food and beverage consumption among Indonesian children.","authors":"Isabella Jiaqi Guo, Astrid Citra Padmita, Mika Matsuzaki, Joel Gittelsohn, Alison Feeley, Fiona Watson, Eva Susanti, Esti Widiastuti Mangunadikusumo, Fatcha Nuraliyah, David Colozza","doi":"10.1186/s40795-025-01040-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-025-01040-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rates of childhood overweight and obesity are rising across most low and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Indonesia, the largest country in Southeast Asia. Marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children is a key driver, yet evidence on digital marketing strategies used in LMICs remains scarce. This study examines the techniques used to advertise unhealthy food and beverages to children on social media in Indonesia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrieved 295 ads on three social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) from 20 food brands with the highest market share in Indonesia across four food categories (snacks, processed foods, soft drinks, and fast food). Marketing techniques used in the ads were coded based on a pre-developed codebook outlining techniques often used to target children and assessed qualitatively through content analysis. The healthfulness of the products advertised was also evaluated, based on the WHO nutrient profile model for Southeast Asia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The ads analysed employed frequently marketing techniques used to target children. The most common marketing techniques across the three platforms were the inclusion of social media features (21.3%), branded products (19.6%), emotional cues and appeal of fun (10.1%), images of children, teens, or adults (9.0%) and special offers (6.6%). Notably, 85% of the brands analysed promoted at least one food unsuitable for marketing to children based on the WHO model.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Food and beverage brands in Indonesia purposely and frequently employ various techniques on social media to target children with ads for food and beverages that, based international nutritional standards, are unsuitable for promotion to this age group. This represents a threat to the nutritional status, health, and well-being of Indonesian children, and calls for stricter regulations on the marketing of these products in the country.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"11 1","pages":"57"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11929256/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143676724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The nutritional impact of 7 versus 21 home-delivered medically tailored meals in patients with heart failure and malnutrition risk: a random order crossover feeding trial (MEDIMEALS).","authors":"Charlene Compher, Jule Anne Henstenburg, Marianne Aloupis, Amy Sun, Ryan Quinn, Elizabeth Emery, Jovina Thomas, Adrian Glass Crafford, Daniel R Schwartz","doi":"10.1186/s40795-025-01036-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-025-01036-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Heart failure (HF) is frequently associated with malnutrition or malnutrition risk. The delivery of medically tailored meals (MTM) to the homes of patients with HF and malnutrition risk or malnutrition after hospital discharge holds promise for improving outcomes. However, the number of MTM needed to provide benefit is not established.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A random order crossover study was designed to compare the delivery of 7 versus 21 MTM for four weeks each to patients discharged from the hospital with HF and malnutrition risk. Telephone surveys were conducted at baseline, 30, and 60 days post-discharge to evaluate change in malnutrition risk, American Heart Association (AHA) diet goals, sarcopenia risk, and 30-day readmissions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-six patients were enrolled. Patients had reduced odds of having malnutrition risk relative to the baseline score at one and two months (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.74 and OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05-0.99, respectively). The AHA diet score improved over time from baseline by 0.73 ± 0.22 units at one month (p = 0.0014), and by 0.48 ± 0.23 units at two months (p = 0.0430), regardless of the number of MTM provided. Sarcopenia risk improved over time (p = 0.01), decreasing by 0.43 ± 0.2 units by one (p = 0.03) and 0.59 ± 0.21 units by two months (p = 0.007) regardless of the number of MTM provided. Readmissions by 30 days were not significantly different based on the number of MTM provided (9% for 21 MTM vs 12.5% for 7 MTM), but well below national data at 23%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The provision of at least seven MTM per week in the early window after hospital discharge to patients with HF and malnutrition or malnutrition risk is a promising strategy to improve malnutrition and sarcopenia risk and diet adherence, while keeping readmissions below national averages.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Clinicaltrials.gov NCT06142903, registered 11/23/2023.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"11 1","pages":"56"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11916996/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143658971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations between green tea drinking and body mass index, serum lipid profile and prostate-specific antigen in a Ghanaian population: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Emmanuel Amankwah Ntim, Samuel Nyamekye, Kofi Oduro Yeboah, Rufai Safianu, Francis Tanam Djankpa, George Kwaw Ainooson, Kwaku Addai Arhin Appiah","doi":"10.1186/s40795-025-01039-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-025-01039-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major malignancy that affects men worldwide. Obesity, dyslipidemia and elevated serum PSA are common risk factors. Green tea is a popular beverage in some West African communities with a relatively low incidence of PCa. However, the associations of green tea consumption with these PCa risk factors in that population remain unknown. This study therefore aimed at investigating the associations between green tea intake and the serum lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), and serum PSA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted to compare the serum lipid profile, BMI and serum PSA between green tea drinkers (GTD) and non-tea drinkers (NTD). A total of 415 men, 40 years or older, who gave their consent were assigned to four groups on the basis of age: 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, and 70 + years. BMI, serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, and triglycerides), and serum PSA level were determined and compared between GTD and NTD.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with the NTD group, the GTD with normal BMI were significantly greater across all age groups, and the odds of being overweight (obese) were significantly lower in the GTD group than in the NTD group. Compared with those in the NTD, significantly fewer atherogenic lipids in the GTD were observed across all age categories. Furthermore, the odds of dyslipidemia in GTD groups were lower than those in NTD groups across all age groups. A significantly lower mean serum PSA level was observed in the older GTD age groups (60-69 and 70+) than in the NTD group, and significantly lower odds of elevated serum PSA were detected in the GTD group than in the NTD group. However, there were no differences in the mean PSA between the GTD and NTD groups in the younger age groups. Weak positive correlations between serum PSA and BMI were observed in the NTD group regardless of the age category. However, a significantly strong negative correlation between the serum PSA concentration and BMI was observed in the older age GTD group compared with the NTD group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Consumption of green tea was associated with reduced atherogenic serum lipids and improved BMI independent of age. Furthermore, GTD was significantly associated with reduced serum PSA in older men but not in younger adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"11 1","pages":"55"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11908008/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143634665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing food vendor receptiveness to healthier options: a study of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers regarding salt, sugar, and oil reduction in cafeteria food vendors.","authors":"Wen Xuan Chia, Felicia Fei-Lei Chung, Yook Chin Chia, Jia Yi Ng, Kai Hui Lee, Kelvin Gunawan, Tze Pheng Lau, Pei Boon Ooi, Maong Hui Cheng, Yee-How Say","doi":"10.1186/s40795-025-01037-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-025-01037-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prioritizing policies that address major non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors, such as poor diet, is a cost-effective way to improve health outcomes. While education can enhance knowledge and practices in the short term, recent trends show that structural and policy-based initiatives, such as setting mandatory salt, sugar, and oil (SOS) targets are effective means of changing dietary behaviours and reducing NCD risk factors. However, few studies have surveyed the KAP of food vendors in workplaces and educational institutions and assessed their receptiveness to serving low-SOS dishes. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding salt, oil, and sugar (SOS) consumption and use, as well as the barriers, and enablers of these practices amongst food operators within Malaysia's out-of-home sector.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study employed a cross-sectional, descriptive survey design to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to the consumption of salt, oil, and sugar and their use in food preparation amongst campus canteen staff at two Malaysian higher education institutions. Data were collected anonymously from 38 participants, which included representatives from all independent canteen operators on the premises. The study also explored the barriers and enablers vendors encounter in reducing salt and sugar usage.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study found that most participants were aware of the health risks associated with high salt, oil, and sugar (SOS) consumption and had positive attitudes towards reducing dietary SOS intake in general, though these attitudes did not extend to their own food preparations. However, their knowledge of recommended dietary guidelines was poor, and actual practices related to SOS reduction were inadequate. Barriers to reducing SOS included concerns about taste and customer acceptance, as well as the lack of standardized guidelines and tools for measuring SOS in food preparation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study identifies gaps in knowledge and practices related to SOS reduction among the surveyed food vendors. While vendors acknowledge the health risks of high SOS consumption, there is a lack of awareness of dietary guidelines and practical low-SOS cooking methods, highlighting the need for regular monitoring, vendor education, and support in promoting healthier food options.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"11 1","pages":"54"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11907947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143634663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of nutrition counseling in managing gestational weight gain and infant outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Marzieh Zare, Alireza Olyaeemanesh, Parisa Torabi, Sepideh Dolati, Hossein Fallah, Mitra Zabihi, Malihe Jafari, Elham Kavoosi, Farnaz Baghban, Zeinab Shahsavani, Maryam Maharat, Ahmad Esmaillzadeh, Hossein Farshidi, Razieh Tabaeifard, Leila Azadbakht","doi":"10.1186/s40795-025-01035-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-025-01035-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gestational weight gain (GWG) plays a crucial role in maternal and fetal health outcomes during pregnancy. Excessive weight gain is associated with various complications, emphasizing the importance of effective management strategies. Nutrition counseling has been proposed as a promising intervention to optimize GWG and improve maternal and infant outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition counseling for pregnant women experiencing unfavorable weight gain during pregnancy, who were referred to a registered dietitian at health centers in Iran.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Fars Province, Iran, involving pregnant women with unfavorable weight gain patterns referred to health centers between April 1, 2019, and November 20, 2023. Participants received either nutrition counseling or standard care. Data on maternal weight gain, infant anthropometric measurements, and counseling sessions were collected from the Integrated Health System.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 565 enrolled pregnant women, 279 received nutrition counseling. Among pregnant women who experienced unfavorable weight gain and received nutritional counseling, 52.3% successfully attained a desirable weight gain. However, there was no significant difference in the hazard ratio of abnormal weight gain during pregnancy between the two groups. Additionally, no significant association were found in infant birth weight, length, or head circumference between the counseling and non-counseling groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Nutritional counseling improved weight gain trajectories in pregnant women, with more achieving desirable weight gain. However, no significant differences were found in neonatal outcomes. Further studies are needed to refine intervention strategies.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial number: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"11 1","pages":"53"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11895257/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143606697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Noncommunicable diseases protect score and its predictors among adults with chronic diseases from public hospitals in Sidama National Regional State, Ethiopia: A multi-center cross-sectional study.","authors":"Alemneh Kabeta Daba, Frehiwot Atsbeha, Alemu Tamiso Debiso","doi":"10.1186/s40795-025-01014-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-025-01014-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) is increasing globally including in the African countries. Healthy nutrition plays a crucial role in the prevention and management of NCD. Therefore, this study aimed to assess NCD protect score as indicator of dietary quality of adults with NCD in Sidama National Regional State of Ethiopia. In addition, it identified predictors of good NCD protect score and highlighted salt usage practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 882 adults with diabetes and/or hypertension from February to April in 2023. Descriptive statistics was computed to satisfy univariate outcomes and logistics regression analysis was done to identify predictors of good NCD protect score.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Less than one-thirds (29.5%) of the participants achieved good NCD protect score. Among salt users (n = 224), nearly half (47%) consume more than five grams of salt in a day. No formal education [AOR = 0.5 (95%CI: 0.29, 0.85), p = 0.011], being from no radio [AOR = 0.56 (95%CI:0.39, 0.82), p < 0.003] and no refrigerator [AOR = 0.22 (95%CI: 0.12, 0.46), p < 0.001] owning household decreased probability to achieve good NCD protect score as compared to the counterparts. In contrary, being widowed/divorced [AOR = 2.22 (95%CI: 1.17, 4.22), p = 0.015] and common out of home eating practice [AOR = 1.57 (95%CI:1.05, 2.34), p = 0.027] increased probability to achieve good NCD protect score.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Substantial proportion of adults with NCD did not achieve good NCD protect score. Moreover, both complete salt avoidance, and more than the recommended amount salt consumption practice among salt users are prevalent. Education, access to media and food preservation services predicted NCD protect score. Context specific nutrition interventions have to be designed and integrated with existing NCD medical care. Implementation researches would also benefit further understanding and intervention effect determination.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"11 1","pages":"52"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11889940/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143587303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does breakfast skipping alter the serum lipids of university students?","authors":"Shazia Parveen Solangi, Naseem Aslam Channa, Amna Yasin Awan, Muhammad Haneef Mugheri, Zeba Hussain Soomro, Lubna Noorani","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00970-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-024-00970-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breakfast is the first meal of the day which is very important in student's health. The present study was undertaken to explore the role of breakfast skipping in altering the serum lipids of university students. In this case-control study, university students from various disciplines at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Pakistan were selected from January 2021 to August 2023 after obtaining written informed consent.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four hundred fifty university students (450) were selected, among them, 158 were Breakfast Skippers (BS) and 292 were breakfast non-skippers (BNS). Of the total, 256 were males and 194 were females with age range of 18-25 years. All participants were enquired about their soci-demographic characteristics and the intake of breakfast during last 3 months. Blood samples were also collected for the serum lipids analysis on auto analyzer ADVIA 1800 S. p-value < 0.05 was kept as level of significant at 95% confidence interval.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found 292 (60.9%) BNS and 158 (39.1%) BS university students out of 450 university students. Of these, 49.3% were males and 50.7% were female students. Most of the BS (56.9%) had normal weight and 22-23 were the peak age group of breakfast skippers. We found significant variation among age groups for triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in BS. The total cholesterol (TC), TG, LDL-C, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and total lipids (TL) were significantly increased in the BS in comparison to BNS. Increased levels of TG, VLDL-C and TL were detected in male BS compared to male BNS, whereas, reverse was true for HDL-C. the significant higher levels ofTC, HDL-C, LDL-C and TL were found in female BS in comparison to BNS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In conclusion, the significantly highest concentrations of TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TL are found in the BS compared to BNS. We are fully aware of the fact that the university student's age group is not involved in lipids related diseases, because the lipid related diseases are the signature diseases of elderly population. Hence, if university students don't have any other medical condition directly or indirectly involved in affecting serum lipids, then the breakfast skipping may be responsible for altering the serum lipids of university students.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"11 1","pages":"51"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11889801/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143587281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anemia status and associated factors among adolescent girls under weekly iron and folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) and non-WIFAS programs in public schools in Janamora district, Northwest Ethiopia 2023; a comparative cross-sectional study.","authors":"Thomas Kidanemariam Yewodiaw, Meron Asmamaw Alemayehu, Destaw Fetene Teshome","doi":"10.1186/s40795-025-01033-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-025-01033-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Anemia is the most common nutritional problem in impoverished countries, particularly among adolescents. Adolescents have a unique opportunity to enhance their nutritional status. Weekly iron‒folic acid supplementation can halt the intergenerational cycle of anemia. Numerous studies have revealed a statistically significant link between taking iron folic acid supplements and preventing anemia. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the differences in the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among adolescent girls in public schools that implemented weekly iron folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) and those that did not in Janamora district, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2023.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A school-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among (361) adolescent girls on (180) WIFAS and (181) non-WIFAS schools Programme. We selected the participants via simple random multistage sampling techniques. Data were collected using an interviewer-based questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and a hemoglobin level test. Hemoglobin estimation was performed by using the HemoCue Hb 301 machine. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses was performed via STATA Version 17 to identify a significant association between anemia and its associated variables at a p-value < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence of anemia was 50.43% (CI: 45%, 55%). However, its prevalence was 44.7% (CI: 37.4%, 52.3%) among the WIFAS schools and 56% (CI: 48.5%, 63.3%) among the non-WIFAS schools, with statistically significant differences at p < 0.05. The habit of drinking coffee/teas [AOR = 5.9] and secondary school girls [AOR = 2.5] among non-WIFAS school programs, whereas poor adherence to the IFAs [AOR = 3.6], poor anemia knowledge [AOR = 4.4], and non-vegetarian status [AOR = 2.8] among WIFAS school programs. Furthermore, parasite attack history [AOR = 6.9, and 7.6] for each program was a statistically significant factor among adolescent girls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Anemia was less prevalent in the WIFAS school Programme than in the non-WIFAS school Programme. This indicates that the WIFAS has an important function in improving anemic status. As a result, it is recommended that the WIFAS program be extended to more schools. The WIFAS program is more effective when health education is delivered concurrently with it.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"11 1","pages":"50"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11887363/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143586889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nutritional, functional, and microbial qualities of legume-based flour blends processed by SMEs in Zambia and Malawi compared to standard Corn-Soy Blend Plus (CSB +): a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Patrick Ndovie, Smith G Nkhata, Numeri Geresomo, Robert Fungo, Vincent Nyau, Richard Banda, Justice Munthali, Martha Chizule, Nellie Manda","doi":"10.1186/s40795-025-01034-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-025-01034-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Legumes enhance food security in developing countries, necessitating an understanding of their properties. This study examined the nutritional, functional, and microbial qualities of legume-based flour blends from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malawi and Zambia. SMEs were chosen for their key role in local food production, distribution, and complementary food supply.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A total of 36 legume-based flour blend samples were collected using snowball sampling, consisting of 21 samples (7 sets of 3 similar samples) from SMEs in Zambia and 15 samples (5 sets of 3 similar samples) from SMEs in Malawi. Samples were analyzed for proximate composition, energy, iron, and zinc content. The nutritional contributions to the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for children aged 1-3 years were assessed. Additionally, functional properties such as water-holding and oil-holding capacities were measured. Microbial analysis was performed, and the data were statistically analyzed to determine significance (p ≤ 0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our findings revealed substantial variability in the nutritional content of these flour blends. Protein content ranged from 9.4% to 41.5%, carbohydrates from 8.1% to 71.3%, crude fat from 2.3% to 26.8%, and crude fiber from 6.2% to 35.2%. Iron and zinc levels also varied significantly, from 2.9 to 21.9 mg/100 g and 2.2 to 5.2 mg/100 g, respectively. These inconsistencies highlight a lack of standardization in nutrient content for blends intended for infant feeding. When prepared as 96 g porridge servings for children aged 1-3 years, the blends provided notable contributions to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). However, their nutrient levels were generally lower compared to the standard Corn-Soy Blend Plus (CSB +). The flour blends also showed variations in physico-functional properties, and some had microbial loads exceeding 250 cfu/g, reflecting inadequate hygiene practices during processing.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To enhance their products, SMEs should ensure that their flour blends meet both nutritional and safety standards while striving to match or surpass the nutrient content of CSB + to remain competitive in the market.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"11 1","pages":"49"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11887150/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}