Impact of rice fortified with iron, zinc, thiamine and folic acid on laboratory measurements of nutritional status of preschool children

Abstract Fortification of food constitutes an important strategy for the control of micronutrient deficiency and has advantages such as high population coverage and maintenance of eating habits. This study aimed to assess the impact of using fortified rice (Ultra Rice® - UR®) on the nutritional status of preschoolers. Ninety-nine children enrolled in two philanthropic preschools participated of the study. Children of one of the preschools were offered UR® mixed with polished rice, as part of school meals (test group) and the children of another preschool were offered pure polished rice (control group). Biochemical evaluations were performed before and after 4 months of intervention. Dietary assessment and sensory evaluation of UR® mixed with polished rice were performed during the study. The fortified rice improved the concentrations of zinc (p < 0.001), thiamine (p < 0.001), folic acid (p = 0.003), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p < 0.001) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p < 0.001). The fortified rice showed good acceptability among preschoolers. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of using rice fortified with iron, zinc, thiamine and folic acid on the nutritional status of children.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Della Lucia,Ceres Mattos, Santos,Laura Luiza Menezes, Silva,Bárbara Pereira da, Anunciação,Pamella Cristine, Alfenas,Rita de Cássia Gonçalves, Franceschini,Sylvia do Carmo Castro, Martino,Hércia Stampini Duarte, Sant’Ana,Helena Maria Pinheiro
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	ABRASCO - Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva 2017
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-81232017000200583
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