Maternal income-generating activities, child care, and child nutrition in Mali

BACKGROUND: Women in sub-Saharan Africa play a key role in household food security. The income-generating activities of mothers are postulated to be related to the nutritional status of children. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to examine whether maternal income-generating activities, maternal food production, and child care were determinants of the nutritional status of children in rural West Africa. The study hypotheses were that maternal income-generating activities and maternal food production are positively associated with children's dietary intake and anthropometry, and that maternal income-generating activities are not associated with child care. METHODS: Data were collected from a cross-sectional sample of mother-child pairs on maternal time use, child anthropometry, maternal food production, dietary intake, parasitic infection, and household, maternal, and child determinants of child nutritional status. The children were 12 to 36 months of age and included breastfed and nonbreastfed children. Food intake was assessed by the 24-hour recall method. The data were analyzed by multivariate regression and controlled for confounding variables. RESULTS: Time spent by the mother in income-generating activities was negatively associated with children's animal protein intake and height-for-age (p < .05). Maternal cash crop production was positively associated with children's weight-for-height, whereas maternal staple food production was negatively associated with energy intake from non-breastmilk foods (p < .05). The negative relationships observed for children's animal protein intake and children's height-for-age were not mediated by any child-care variable. Maternal supervision of feeding was a positive predictor of children's animal protein intake. Giardia infection was negatively related to children's weight gain (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Own-account cash crop farming by mothers benefits children's nutrition. Maternal income-generating activities in the context of extended families, sibling caretaking, and prolonged breastfeeding do not adversely affect child care.     

Women, nutrition and exercise: a review of athletes' intakes and a discussion of energy balance in active women

Given the heightened interest in nutritional aspects of exercise, and an increase in athletic participation by women, it appeared timely to review the nutritional implications of exercise in women. The initial part of this paper contains a compilation of published studies on the nutrient intakes of female athletes. These reveal that most groups of athletes have adequate nutrient intakes, and that their vitamin and mineral intakes appear to be superior to those of nonathletic women. The average energy intake of athletes in studies summarized in this paper was 2069 kcal, and for certain groups of athletes, energy intakes were even lower. How these women manage to train intensely while consuming energy intakes similar to those of sedentary women is not readily apparent, and for this reason, the remainder of the paper discusses energy balance as affected by activity. Methodological considerations related to assessment of the components of the energy balance equation (food intake, energy expenditure, and body energy stores) are presented, with a focus on considerations in women. The effects of activity on each of these components are then discussed in an attempt to determine whether some form of energy conservation may occur. Finally, effects of activity on the menstrual cycle are reviewed. The observed changes are discussed in relation to nutrition 1) in terms of how nutrition may play a role in their causation; and 2) in terms of their nutritional implications for the amenorrheic athlete, specifically as regards energy balance and bone density.     

Nutritional impacts of an increasing fuelwood shortage in rural households in developing countries

Developing countries face the problem of an increasing fuelwood shortage. For rural households, fuelwood is the main source of energy. As energy is essential to make food suitable for human consumption by means of cooking, the present fuelwood crisis could jeopardize the nutritional situation of rural households. This article reviews and analyses available data and information on the relationship between the availability of fuelwood and the nutritional situation of rural households. Based on analysis of emperical studies, three main strategies evolved by rural households, especially by the women within these households, to cope with a shortage of fuelwood can be distinguished: (i) increase in time and energy spent on fuelwood collection, (ii) substitution of fuelwood by alternative fuels and (iii) economizing on the consumption of fuelwood and alternative fuels. These coping-strategies affect food supply, food preservation, preparation and distribution, income generating activities and food consumption, all of which result in a decrease in quality and quantity of food consumed and in a deterioration of physical condition, especially women and their young children. Available data on fuelwood availability and nutrition are rather diffuse and incomplete. The presence of several confounding variables in the studies analysed make it difficult to establish the nutritional impact of a growing shortage of fuelwood. Nevertheless, it is concluded that a shortage of fuelwood plays at least an important role in changes in nutritional situation of rural households. If current trends continue, this role will become more important and evident. The impact of a growing fuelwood shortage should be a point of concern for rural development.     

厦门市乳母膳食营养状况及变化趋势调查

目的 调查评价厦门市乳母膳食营养状况。方法 采用24 h膳食回顾法调查厦门市200例乳母产后第2天、第7天、第30天、第90天的饮食状况。参考中国食物成分表(2004)计算营养素的摄入量,并用膳食营养参考摄入量(DRIs)进行评价。结果 厦门市乳母动物性食物(奶及奶制品除外)摄入偏高,豆及豆制品、薯类、蔬菜摄入偏低;产后第2天、第7天、第30天、第90天能量平均摄入量分别为2 146.7、2 261.2、2 304.7、2 252.9 kcal,乳母蛋白质平均摄入量分别为113.5、129.1、126.3、112.5 g,脂肪的供能比分别达到32.7%、35.4%、36.9%、41.1%,碳水化合物的供能比分别达到45.4%、41.7%、40.9%、38.7%;乳母膳食纤维、钙、碘、维生素A、维生素C、维生素B₁的平均摄入量均低于营养素推荐摄入量。结论 乳母膳食结构不合理,部分营养素摄入不足,应适当调整膳食结构,保证营养均衡。     

山东城乡乳母维生素B_1、B_2和烟酸膳食摄入情况对比分析

日的:调查城市及农村乳母维生素B1、B2和烟酸的膳食摄入情况,了解城乡乳母的相关维生素营养状况。方法:选择山东省某城市和农村0—2岁婴幼儿健康母亲(乳母)为调查对象,共92名;其中,某城市乳母34名、某农村乳母58名。采用食物频率法收集调查对象消费的食物种类,24h膳食回顾法收集调查对象维生素B1、B2和烟酸摄入情况;通过膳食多样化评分(DDS)对其日常膳食摄入水平进行分析与评价。结果:食物消费种类结果显示,城乡乳母均以粮谷类、蔬菜类消费最高,达到90%以上。城市乳母豆类消费较低,仅为61.8%;蛋类和奶及奶制品类每日摄入量较高,分别达到109.38g和220.12g;豆类及豆制品类摄入量偏低,仅为28.55g。农村乳母粮谷类每日摄入量较高,达到374.44g;畜禽肉类和鱼虾类摄入量偏低,分别仅为26.44g和20.19g。对比分析结果显示,农村乳母膳食中粮谷类摄入量高于城市乳母,而畜禽肉类、鱼虾类、蛋类、奶及奶制品和水果类摄入量却明显低于城市乳母(P均0.05)。膳食多样化评分(DDS)结果显示,城市乳母DDS评分平均为7.24,农村乳母DDS评分平均为5.26;城市乳母得7分所占比例较高,达32.4%,而农村仅为9.0%;城市乳母烟酸量摄入量较为充足,达到RNI的80%以上,维生素B1、维生素B2摄入不足,分别达到RNI的65%、77.6%;而农村地区乳母维生素B2、烟酸均不足,分别仅达到RNI的20%、39.9%;城市乳母维生素B2、烟酸摄入量明显高于农村乳母(P均0.05)。结论:城乡乳母膳食多样化差异显著,农村乳母膳食多样化水平更低,农村乳母维生素B2、烟酸缺乏,与膳食结构较单一有关,城乡乳母膳食结构有待改善。     

Time trends in the intrafamily distribution of dietary energy in rural India

The intrafamily distribution of dietary energy in 5,458 households from seven states in India was assessed from 24-hour dietary recall data collected by the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau during 1996-97. The energy consumption, expressed as percentage of recommended dietary intake (%RDI), of preschool children, schoolchildren, and adolescents was compared with that of adult men and women in the same households. Time trends in the intrafamily distribution of dietary energy were assessed by comparing the data with those collected in 1975-80 using the same procedures in the same villages. About one-third of the preschool children had an inadequate intake of energy, even when their adult counterparts had an adequate intake, whereas only about 7% of the preschoolers and their parents were consuming inadequate amounts of energy. The extent of energy inadequacy was much less in adolescents and school-age children than in preschool children. This was true even when the adults in the same households had an adequate energy intake. In 1996-97, there was a significant increase in the proportion of households with preschool children consuming inadequate energy, although both adult men and women were consuming energy-adequate diets as compared with the dietary data collected in the same villages in 1975-80. The results indicate the need to provide effective nutrition education for parents regarding the nutritional needs of their children.     

Linking small-scale fisheries and aquaculture to household nutritional security: an overview

Small-scale fisheries and aquaculture have been recognized as important opportunities to enhance household food security in developing countries. While interventions aiming at promoting these activities reveal many positive effects, their direct and indirect impacts on nutritional status have not yet been fully documented. The objective of this paper is to identify more specifically the potential pathways that exist between fish-related livelihoods (small-scale fisheries, fish farming) and household nutritional security. The existing literature reveals scattered but increasing evidence of the contribution of fish to nutritional security through three distinct pathways. The first one is the direct nutritional contribution from fish consumption: because fish are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin A, calcium, iron and zinc, households engaged in small-scale fisheries or aquaculture are, in theory, able to improve their own nutritional intakes by consuming some of the fish they capture or farm. The second relates to income: increased purchasing power through the sale of fish is recognized as critical for households to be able to access other foods and to improve their overall dietary intake. Finally, because the degree of control exercised by women over family income impacts directly on household food security and nutritional outcomes, enhancing the economic status of women through their involvement in aquaculture and/or fisheries-related activities (fish processing and trading) is also identified as another important pathway to improve household nutritional security. For these three pathways, however, evidence is often only anecdotal and therefore, the paper concludes by highlighting areas where further research and data are needed.     

山东省居民膳食营养状况调查

目的 了解山东省居民膳食营养状况。方法整群随机抽样,用称重法和24h回顾法进行连续3d膳食摄入调查。结果谷类摄入量城市比农村少68．6g,动物性食物摄入量城市比农村多19、7g。能量、蛋白质、脂肪、糖类、维生素C和钠的摄入量城市低于农村,城市和农村比较分别少273．2kcal、3、1g、1．9g、60g、8．1mg、463．6mg。膳食结构仍以谷类食物为主。结论 山东省居民膳食营养存在不平衡现象,需要加强营养教育,引导居民合理膳食。     

孕妇妊娠期糖尿病调查及其与饮食状况的关系分析

目的探讨孕妇妊娠期糖尿病调查及其与饮食状况的关系分析。方法回顾性调查2014年9月至2017年9月本院收治552例孕妇的临床资料,分析孕妇饮食状况与妊娠期糖尿病的关系。结果本次调查中,妊娠期糖尿病孕妇54例(9.78%);妊娠期糖尿病孕妇和健康孕妇日摄入总能量、年龄、孕次水平基本相同,差异无统计学意义(P0.05),妊娠期糖尿病孕妇孕前BMI、脂肪摄入量、蛋白质摄入量、碳水化合物摄入量和甜食喜好、夜宵食用、荤菜量过多、豆制品量过少占比明显高于健康孕妇,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);logistic回归分析法显示,脂肪摄入量、甜食喜好、荤菜量过多、豆制品量过少是孕妇妊娠期糖尿病发生的危险因素(P0.05)。结论孕妇的饮食状况与妊娠期糖尿病的发生有关,应重视脂肪摄入量、甜食喜好、荤菜量过多、豆制品量过少等孕妇的营养干预,以防治娠糖尿病的发生。     

Dietary restriction improved feed efficiency of inefficient lactating cows

The aim of this study was to reduce voluntary dry matter intake (DMI) to increase feeding efficiency of preclassified inefficient (INE) dairy cows through restricted feeding. We studied the effects of dietary restriction on eating behavior, milk and energy-corrected milk (ECM) production, in vivo digestibility, energy balance, and measures of feed efficiency [residual feed intake (RFI) and ECM/DMI]. Before the experiment, 12 pairs of cows were classified as INE. The 2 dietary treatments consisted of ad libitum feeding versus restricted feeding of the same total mixed ration containing 36.5% roughage. Inefficient cows fed the restricted total mixed ration had a shorter eating time and lower meal and visit frequency, but a similar rate of eating, meal size, and meal duration compared with INE cows fed ad libitum. Compared with the INE cows fed ad libitum, restricted INE cows had 12.8% lower intake, their dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibility remained similar, and their ECM yield was 5.3% lower. Feed efficiency, measured as RFI, ECM/DMI, and net energy retained divided by digestible energy intake, was improved in the restricted INE cows as compared with the ad libitum cows. Our results show that moderate DMI restriction has the potential to improve feed efficiency of preclassified INE cows.     

Dietary intake and nutritional status of young children in families practicing mixed home gardening in northeast Thailand

One current initiative to assist rural Thai families to increase home food production and security is the implementation of home gardens that produce fish, small animals, and vegetables. This paper presents the results of an investigation comparing seasonal dietary intake and nutritional status among northeastern Thai children in mixed-gardening and nongardening families (n = 30 for each group). Assignment to the gardening group was based on the presence of a mixed garden, whereas nongardening subjects were randomly selected and matched for comparison. Statistical analysis (paired t-test) indicated that there was no significant difference in the observed biochemical variables (serum retinol, ferritin, hemoglobin) between groups at the p < or = .05 level. Nutritional status in regard to height-for-weight, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height Z scores was better among children of gardening families, although the differences were not significant. The small sample size and reported results indicate that the relationship between the practice of mixed home gardening and dietary intake and nutritional status needs further investigation.     

常熟市城乡居民膳食结构分析

目的:了解常熟市城乡居民膳食结构及营养素摄入情况,为改善居民膳食现状、制定符合本地实际的营养干预政策提供依据。方法:采用3日称重、24h膳食回顾和食物频率调查问卷相结合的膳食调查方法,由专业调查员入户进行食品称重、问卷询问和记录。结果:常熟市调查人群的膳食结构不尽合理,存在着水果、奶类等摄入偏低,植物油和食盐等摄入过量,总能量、膳食纤维、维生素A、硫胺素、核黄素、钙、钾、镁、锌、硒等营养素摄入量不足,钠、铁超过参考摄入量等问题。结论:必须采取综合措施,加强膳食指南的健康教育和营养干预,从而提高营养与健康水平,预防和控制营养相关疾病。     

Dietary practices of women diagnosed with environmental sensitivity.

PURPOSE: Food avoidance is central to the treatment of environmental sensitivity (ES), a chronic, often debilitating, multisystem disorder characterized by adverse reactions to non-noxious levels of environmental substances. Because prolonged food avoidance could impact nutritional health, the purpose of this research was to assess adequacy and quality of diets consumed by women diagnosed with ES. METHODS: Twelve women aged 37 to 50 recruited from the Nova Scotia Environmental Health Clinic completed a four-day food record during the spring and summer of 1998. RESULTS: When adequacy of nutrient intake was assessed by comparison to the Estimated Average Requirement, the most limited nutrients in the diet were folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and magnesium. Only one woman exceeded the Adequate Intake for calcium. When diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index, the majority of women (75%) scored in the "needs improvement" category; intake of milk and dietary variety scored the lowest. Women consumed very few servings from "other foods", defined in the food guide as foods containing mostly sugar and mostly fat. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that women diagnosed with ES would benefit from counselling on ways to increase dietary variety, which would lead to improved nutrient intake, and ways to increase calcium intake.     

Evaluation of a nonstarch polysaccharidase feed enzyme in dairy cow diets

The objective of this study was to evaluate a commercial feed enzyme product (Natugrain 33-L; BASF Corporation, Ludwigshafen, Germany) used mainly in poultry diets for use in ruminant diets. The product contained mainly beta-glucanase, xylanase, and endocellulase activities. The study was conducted as a double 3 x 3 Latin square design with six lactating dairy cows (84 +/- 12 DIM) to measure intake, chewing activities, total tract digestion, and milk production. An additional three cows fitted with ruminal cannulae were used to measure dietary effects on ruminal fermentation and in sacco digestion characteristics. Cows received a diet consisting of 45% forage containing 0, 1.22, or 3.67 L of enzyme product/tonne of total mixed ration (DM basis). Using a low or high concentration of enzyme supplementation increased feed intake, but total tract digestibility only increased with the low concentration of enzyme. As a result, intake of digestible nutrients was increased to a greater extent for cows fed the low concentration than for cows fed the high concentration. Because the cows used in this experiment were in positive energy balance, increased intake of digestible energy due to enzyme supplementation did not increase milk yield or milk component yield. Further research is necessary to determine the mechanism by which adding a fibrolytic enzyme mixture enhanced intake, but only increased feed digestion when used at a low level.     

儿童青少年肥胖的营养治疗策略

肥胖已成为世界性的公共健康问题,儿童青少年肥胖也越来越得到社会的关注。体质指数(BMI)是判定儿童超重及肥胖的指标。儿童青少年肥胖可累及全身多系统并出现相应的并发症,如糖耐量异常甚至2型糖尿病、血脂异常、高血压、非酒精性脂肪肝等。营养治疗是儿童青少年肥胖的主要治疗手段。建立健康饮食模式需在专业人员指导下,以家庭为基础,同时需社会、学校给予支持与协助。肥胖患儿的营养方案应个体化,能量达到患儿身高对应年龄的营养需求,保证三大营养素均衡(蛋白质供能占总能量的15%~20%,碳水化合物占55%~65%,脂肪占20%~25%),保证优质蛋白质,充足的膳食纤维及健康的油脂。体重控制目标为身高逐渐增长,体重不增或增长缓慢逐渐达到正常的BMI。在营养方案实施过程中,专业医师团队应监督患儿的实施,完成随访。运动也是减重过程中重要的组成部分。多位一体的关注与协助保证患儿身心健康成长。     

攀枝花市农村居民营养知识及营养状况调查

目的:了解攀枝花市农村居民掌握的营养保健知识和营养状况,有针对性地对其普及营养知识。方法:抽样对攀枝花市农村居民331人进行营养知识和身高、体重问卷调查,所有有效问卷均用SPSS11.0统计软件包分析。结果:调查对象营养知识得分平均31.1分,高山区调查对象营养知识得分显著高于河谷地区和中低山区调查对象(P0.05),中低山区调查对象显著低于中高山区和河谷地区调查对象(P0.05),平均得分随文化程度的增高而显著增加(P0.05);调查对象的身高平均162cm,体重平均59.83kg,体质指数平均22.9,小于18.5的占4.6%,18.5～23.9的占65.5%,大于24.0的占29.9%。结论:影响农村居民营养知识得分的因素为地域和文化程度。农村居民营养知识普遍欠缺,营养不足和营养过盛的问题不容忽视,很有必要在农村地区开展营养知识的普及和营养教育示范。     

Timed activity studies for assessing the energy expenditure of women from an urban slum in south India

Time-disposition studies are necessary for computing energy requirements of populations. This study captures the rich information on the timed activity pattern of adult women from poor households engaged in home-based work. We studied 34 women beedimakers (cigarette makers), 21 tailors, and 34 homemakers. Data were collected by direct observation of the women's activities on a typical day. Time spent on related activities was pooled and classified as sleep, household work, child care, occupational work, and residual work. These were further categorized on the basis of our published work on the energy cost of women's activities and the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of occupational activities as sedentary, moderate, and heavy. Most of the household activities could be classified as moderate to heavy (> 2.2 times basal metabolic rate [BMR]). Childcare activities were distributed on a scale from sedentary to heavy, whereas occupational activities, such as beedimaking and tailoring, were sedentary (< 2.2 BMR). Homemakers spent significantly more time on moderate to heavy work (p < .05) than beedimakers and tailors. Women working for income spent only four to six hours on occupational work, which was possible because they reduced the time spent on heavy work (i.e., housework), and reduced the time on personal care. Still, more than 80% of women could not put in eight hours of paid work. Thus, women in the home-based sector constantly negotiate among time spent on heavy household work, child care, and occupational work in order to continue in the labor market.     

膳食蛋白对运动员的影响及其摄入方法建议

运动员的能量代谢强度大、消耗率高,所需要蛋白质摄入量远比普通人群要多,如何科学地为运动员进行膳食蛋白补充是运动营养学的重要研究课题。本文综述了膳食蛋白对运动员的影响和来源,并对运动员膳食蛋白的摄入方法提了一些建议,以期为运动员科学平衡膳食,提高身体素质与运动能力提供参考。     

Balancing the risk of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the benefit of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 variety for French fish consumers in western coastal areas

A study of 401 fish-eating adults living in a coastal region of France was undertaken to establish exposure to dioxins/polychlorinated biphenyls and the intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 variety. Fish consumption was estimated using food frequency diaries and the dioxin/polychlorinated biphenyl data collected by the French control authorities was used to calculate dietary exposure. The results showed that for a group of adult subjects selected because of their consumption of fish, 60% achieved the nutritional recommendation for long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and 79% were exposed to total dioxins below the toxicological threshold of 14 pg kg(-1) body weight week(-1). Nevertheless, only 41% of these subjects had an optimal balance between the risk and benefit of eating fish, because 19% were meeting the nutritional recommendation but exceeding the toxicological threshold, whereas 38% were exposed below the toxicological threshold but failed to reach the recommended intake of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Similar results were found regarding the balance between long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and polychlorinated biphenyls even if a toxicological threshold was not established for these compounds. The results show that meeting the nutritional requirements of 0.5 mg day(-1) of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is compatible with respect to toxicological thresholds, while an intake higher than 1.5 g day(-1) is likely to lead to a dietary exposure above the provisional tolerable weekly intake for dioxins.     

Ecuadorian Andean women's nutrition varies with age and socioeconomic status

An agricultural project in Highland Ecuador provided a model context to better understand the nutrition of rural women. The adequacy of women's nutrition and the strength of associations with age and socioeconomic status were studied in 104 rural households over four rounds (two seasons) during the 1995-1996 agricultural year using a cross-sectional with repeated-measures design. Women were at high risk for micronutrient deficiencies (calcium, iron, riboflavin, and vitamin B12) due to low intakes of animal products. Two distinct constructs representing socioeconomic status were identified: modern lifestyle and farming wealth. In multivariate models, farming wealth was associated with quality of women's diet (animal protein adjusted for energy, p = 0.01). Diet quality, in turn, was positively associated with anthropometric status (p = 0.02). Women over the age of 50 weighed approximately 3.7 kg less than younger women and consumed less energy (300 kcal) and micronutrients (p < 0.05). Age was positively associated with respiratory morbidity (p = 0.01). These findings, while directly relevant to a specific context, suggest the need for cross-cultural studies to identify the extent of, and factors contributing to, the risk of nutritional inadequacy in postreproductive women in developing countries.