Optimized Complementary Feeding With or Without Home Fortification Prevents Decrease of Micronutrient and Growth

Summary

Malnourished among under-five children characterized by growth faltering is a public health concern in Indonesia. It requires serious action from the governments because of the prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting are increasing. These impacts are irreversible resulting in the low quality of future human resources. Several studies showed that growth faltering among under-five children starts at age six months when the amount of breastmilk reduced, complementary feeding initiated, and risk for infection is increased. A rapid growth phase also causes growth faltering at age 6-24 months. The inadequate amount and low quality of food during this period can also lead to reducing nutritional status. The Indonesian Government released a national policy in 2013 to address undernutrition among under-five children called the Indonesia President Regulation No. 42/2013 regarding national movements on the acceleration of nutritional programs to address micronutrients deficiency among under-five children by providing micronutrient powder (MNP) (called Taburia) for children aged 6 - 59 months. Our literature review documented that there is no study ever conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of MNP (Taburia) in improving the weight and height of the children. Moreover, behavioral modification interventions to promote food diversification to improve nutrient intake and to prevent micronutrient deficiency are also never conducted. Based on the rationale and study concept, the following hypotheses are 1). Promotion of optimized complementary feeding along with or without multi-micronutrient powder or MNP (namely taburia) can prevent reductions in nutrient intake and density; serum ferritin and zinc levels; and anthropometric z-score index compared to controls, and 2) provision of MNP can prevent reductions in nutrient intake and density; serum ferritin and zinc levels; and anthropometric z-score index compared to controls.

Conditions

• Complementary Feeding
• Linear Programming
• Nutritional Status
• Micronutrient Deficiency
• Growth Failure

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Nutritional education program

These programs were a process of providing information or knowledge to mother of the children consisting of information on initiation of complementary feeding, variety, and frequency of food, nutrient requirements and diet pattern for children (the amount and types of food), and benefits of Taburia. All this information provided through class-based activities and group discussion by using leaflet and food model conducted by the researchers. Education materials developed based on CFR models from our previous study by applying the LP approach. There was also a demonstration on administering complementary feeding (demo and cooking class) to improve skills of the mother on food from selection, design, handling and preparing, based on requirements of the children. This activity conducted through training once per month for the first four months of the intervention. Components of complementary feeding promoted in this study are based on CFR using LP approach from our previous research.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Home fortification (Taburia)

Taburia is a multivitamin and mineral fortification to provide sufficient amount of nutrient for optimal growth and development of children aged 6-59 months. Every sachet of Taburia prepared to fulfill minimum nutrient requirements for children aged 6-59 months. Each sachet is one gram in weight and contains vitamin A (417 mcg), B1 (0.5 mg), B2 (0.5 mg), B3 (5.0 mg), B6 (0.5 mg), B12 (1 mcg), D3 (5 mcg), E (6 mg), K (20 mcg), C (30 mcg), folic acid (150 mcg), pantothenic acid (3 mcg), Iodium (50 mcg), Iron (10 mg), Zn (5 mg) and Selenium (20 mcg). One sachet of Taburia given to the subject by adding it to their breakfast and must be finished. The frequency of Taburia consumption per week follows the finding of the LP analysis from the previous study. Taburia intervention complemented by health education related to benefits, administration of Taburia, and its side effects. Compliance will be evaluated directly by the researcher based on empty Taburia sachet and conducted every month.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Udayana University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kadek T Adhi · Udayana University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

6 Months

Max Age

11 Months

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-01-01

Primary Completion

2018-04-01

Completion

2018-10-31

Countries

• Indonesia

Study Locations