Efficacy of pandesal baked from wheat flour fortified with iron and vitamin a in improving the iron and anthropometric status of anemic schoolchildren in the Philippines.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of pandesal baked from wheat flour fortified with iron, with or without vitamin A (VA), in improving anemic schoolchildren's iron and anthropometric status.

Methods: Anemic 6- to 12-year-old Filipino children (n = 250) received two 60 g pandesal daily for 8 months. They were randomized into 1 of 4 groups: (1) iron-fortified (with hydrogen-reduced iron at 80 mg/kg, electrolytic iron at 80 mg/kg, or ferrous fumarate at 40 mg/kg), (2) iron and VA-fortified, (3) VA-fortified (at 490 RE/100 g), and (4) nonfortified flour.

Physical activity, energy requirements, and adequacy of dietary intakes of older persons in a rural Filipino community.

Background: Aging is a process associated with physiological changes such as in body composition, energy expenditure and physical activity. Data on energy and nutrient intake adequacy among elderly is important for disease prevention, health maintenance and program development.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was designed to determine the energy requirements and adequacy of energy and nutrient intakes of older persons living in private households in a rural Filipino community.

Effectiveness of a redesigned iron supplementation delivery system for pregnant women in Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a redesigned Fe supplementation delivery system (ISDS) in improving Hb concentrations and compliance among pregnant women.

Design: A controlled before and after study design was used. Interviews and Hb measurements of randomly selected pregnant women in both treatment areas were conducted at baseline and after 6 months.

Determinants of anemia among preschool children in the Philippines.

Objective: Our objective was to identify the determinants of anemia among rural Filipino children aged 12-71 months.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2090 preschool children from 8 rural villages in Cebu, an area non-endemic for malaria and schistosomiasis. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was determined using a HemoCue hemoglobinometer and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) concentration was measured with a hematofluorometer.

Relationships of body mass index with serum carotenoids, tocopherols and retinol at steady-state and in response to a carotenoid-rich vegetable diet intervention in Filipino schoolchildren.

In marginally nourished children, information is scarce regarding the circulating concentrations of carotenoids and tocopherols, and physiological factors influencing their circulating levels. We determined the serum concentrations of carotenoids, tocopherols and retinol at steady state and in response to a 9-week vegetable diet intervention in 9-12-year-old girls (n=54) and boys (n=65) in rural Philippines. We determined cross-sectional relationships of BMI (body mass index) with serum micronutrient levels, and whether BMI is a determinant of serum carotenoid responses to the ingestion of carotenoid-rich vegetables.

Stability of iodine in iodized fresh and aged salt exposed to simulated market conditions.

Background: The salt iodization law of the Philippines required that iodized salt sold at retail not be exposed to direct sunlight, high temperature and relative humidity, and contamination with moisture and dust from the environment. However, because the majority of local consumers buy salt displayed in open heaps, it was suggested that iodized salt should be sold in the same manner for greater accessibility and availability. Objective.

Carotene-rich plant foods ingested with minimal dietary fat enhance the total-body vitamin A pool size in Filipino schoolchildren as assessed by stable-isotope-dilution methodology.

Background: Strategies for improving the vitamin A status of vulnerable populations are needed.

Objective: We studied the influence of the amounts of dietary fat on the effectiveness of carotene-rich plant foods in improving vitamin A status.

Design: Schoolchildren aged 9-12 y were fed standardized meals 3 times/d, 5 d/wk, for 9 wk.