From the start of the school milk feeding programme in February 1985 to October 1986, a total of 2,766 children aged six to nine years from 12 primary schools in Ulu Selangor were followed-up for about two years. The children's weight and height were monitored at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the study. The study shows that there is a reduction in the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition in terms of underweight (15.3% to 8.6%), stunting (16.3% to 8.3%) and wasting (2.6% to 1.7%) from the start of the school feeding programme to two years later. Associated with this there was an improvement in the attendance rate of the children during the same period. As there was no major developmental change in Ulu Selangor during that period, it is likely that the reduction in the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition and the improvement of the attendance rate among the children are due to the impact of the school milk feeding programme.
Matched MeSH terms: Protein-Energy Malnutrition/prevention & control
Protein-energy wasting is common in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in those undergoing kidney replacement therapy. Oral nutrition supplements and enteral nutrition are strategies that have been shown to improve nutrition status, and potentially outcomes. However, access to specialized commercial products for people with CKD is limited by factors including cost and regional availability. Homemade formulas represent a potentially cheaper, accessible, and more flexible option than commercial products, but they come with their own unique set of challenges. Furthermore, some aspects of homemade products, including consistency of nutrients, physical properties, and food safety, may pose challenges in the context of physiological changes that occur in CKD. Despite evidence of their use in CKD clinics, there have been few studies using homemade formulas in this population. This narrative review article summarizes the available literature on the potential usage, benefits, and concerns related to homemade formulas, emphasizing the unique challenges in people with CKD. Given the potential usage and limited research on homemade formulas in people with CKD, additional education and research are warranted to optimize the use of these tools in this clinical population.
Matched MeSH terms: Protein-Energy Malnutrition/prevention & control