EFFECT OF CONSUMPTION OF COMPLIMENTARY TRADITIONAL FOOD ON THE GROWTH AND IRON STATUS OF 6 TO 15 MONTHS OLD CAMBODIAN CHILDREN IN PREVENG PROVINCE, CAMBODIA

Touch Bunthang1, Corazon CV. Barba 2, Marites G. Yee 2, Erlinda I. Dizon 2, So Nam1, Chheng Phen1, Robert Pomeroy3 ,Hillary Egna4, and Wilma A. Hurtada 2
1 Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Phnom Penh, Cambodia  
2 Institute of Human Nutrition and Food, College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Philippines
 
3 University of Connecticut, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Groton, Connecticut, USA
4 College of Agricultural Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331  
 

With prevalent malnutrition problems largely due to food and nutrition insecurity, locally available foods need to be maximized for increased consumption. The effect  of two rice-based complementary foods prepared using edible spider (Winfood CF) and small fish (Winfood-Lite) vis-à-vis two corn soya blend products (CSB+ and CSB ++)  was explored in this single-blind randomized intervention trial among 126 Cambodian infants aged 6 months without severe wasting (<-3 weight-for-length z-score), pitting edema, signs of vitamin A deficiency or anemia (Hb<80g/L). The samples were recruited and randomized from 7 communes in Pea Raing District, Prey Veng province, Cambodia.  Intervention was daily supplementation with one of the four products for nine months: 50g/d form 6-8 months, 75g/d from 9-11 months and 125 g/d from 12-15 months of age.

Mean weight and height of infants significantly improved and remained within normal range at endline. The weight for age Z score (WAZ), length for age Z score (LAZ) and weight for height Z scores (WHZ) also increased. In contrast, there was a three-fold decrease in serum ferritin though it remained within normal range. Hemoglobin levels remained unchanged and indicated anemia.  No difference in weight, length, WAZ, LAZ, WHZ, serum ferritin and hemoglobin was observed between the four groups of children indicating that the Winfoods had the same effect as the CSB products on iron status and growth. There is a weak but positive association between ferritin and weight, length and age, hemoglobin and vitamin C intake.   Weight and gender were also correlated.

The study concludes that Winfood products (Windfood CF and Winfood Lite) are at par with CSB products (CSB+ and CSB++). The promotion and utilization of nutritious and locally available foods should be sustained and   enhanced to increase consumption either in their natural or processed state.   The conduct of further studies on the nutritional impact of the edible spider and small fish, as well as reviews of their proportion in product formulation are likewise suggested.