Current state of iodine nutrition in Filipino school-aged children.

Objectives: Globally, although progress in eliminating iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been reported, IDD is still considered to be a global health problem. As school-aged children are the most accessible population group, their urinary iodine (UI) concentration data are accepted and used as an indicator of IDD for the general population. The aim of this study was to reassess the national, regional, and provincial estimates of UI as a measure of IDD among Filipino school-aged children.

Iodine Status in Filipino Women of Childbearing Age.

Background: Iodine deficiency (ID) has become a concern not only among pregnant women, but in women of childbearing age as well. In fact, a recent report suggested that women with moderate to severe ID may experience a significantly longer time to conceive. This study aimed to investigate iodine status in Filipino women of childbearing age.

Household dietary strategies to enhance the content and bioavailability of iron, zinc and calcium of selected rice- and maize-based Philippine complementary foods.

Philippine complementary foods are predominantly plant-based, with a low content of readily available iron, zinc, and calcium, and a relatively high amount of phytate, a potent inhibitor of mineral absorption. Some of the phytate is water soluble, and hence can be removed by soaking. In this study we have compared the iron, zinc, and calcium content, and estimated iron and zinc bioavailability of rice- and maize-based Filipino complementary foods prepared with and without soaking and/or enrichment with chicken liver, egg yolk, small soft-boned fish, and mung bean grits.

Macronutrient and selected vitamin intakes from complementary foods of infants and toddlers from Cebu, Philippines.

Intakes of macronutrients (energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate) and vitamins (vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C) (per day and per 100 kcal) from complementary foods by a cohort of Filipino breast-fed infants and toddlers (n=1794) were studied at 10, 16, and 22 months of age using a single 24-h recall. With the exception of protein, intakes of energy and vitamins for all age groups were below the World Health Organization estimated needs and desired nutrient densities from complementary foods regardless of breast-feeding frequency. Nutrient deficits were greater for rural children compared with urban children, and were attributed to low intakes of energy, as well as cellular animal protein, fruits and vegetables.