While most Third World countries, particularly in Africa and Latin America, have experienced a deterioration in child welfare as a result of the severe economic downturn in the 1980s, Southeast Asia in general managed to sustain improvements in the situation of its children because it has maintained satisfactory rates of economic growth. However, there were exceptions within Southeast Asia. The Philippines, Vietnam, Dem. Kampuchea and Laos had unsatisfactory growth rates and, consequently, unsustained nutritional gains from the 1970s through the 1980s. Economic factors exerted a big impact on the Philippine nutrition situation, particularly on the dietary status of the households and the nutritional status of children. As a result of the economic dislocation occurring in the country, the nutritional gains of 1978-82 were not maintained in succeeding years. Unlike the case of Thailand, it has been estimated that the solution to nutritional problems in the Philippines is far from being achieved in the immediate future (Villavieja et al. 1989). On the other hand, the nutrition improvements in Thailand have been as remarkable as the economic growth over the last decade. Long-term investments in health, nutrition and other social services in Thailand (as well as in Indonesia) have paid off according to the assessment by the United Nations (1990). It appears, therefore, that the nutrition situation in developing countries is highly dependent on the economic situation, globally and nationally (Cornia et al. 1987), as well as on investment in social services. Adjustment policies should, therefore, consider their implications on distribution and poverty in order that they could positively contribute to the improvement of the nutrition of the people.
Food expenses accounted for 66% 54% of the total income in the two plantations. The nutritional value of foods purchased and consumed and the adequacy of nutrient intakes in two plantations was studied. The diets were found to be inadequate in calories, protein, calcium, iron and riboflavin. Carbohydrates provided the bulk of the calories. The significance of the findings are discussed.
The nutritional status of 158 soldiers drawn from four army camps in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang has been assessed by biochemical procedures, nutritional anthropometry and dietary (chemical) analysis. Biochemical assessment showed that with the exception of thiamin and riboflavin nutriture, the nutritional status of the soldiers appeared generally satisfactory and seemed to have improved slightly over those examined by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Nutrition and National Defence (ICNND), USA, in 1962 by similar methods. The anthropometric assessment indicated that the present day soldiers have the same mean height as those examined in 1962. Although they appeared slightly heavier, obesity did not seem to be a problem. Chemical analysis of their diet showed that there is room for improvement in the dietary supply of vitamin A and some of the water-soluble vitamins, particularly riboflavin, thiamin and vitamin C. There was also a significant discrepancy between the nutritional content of the chemically-analysed cooked meals and those calculated from the ration scales using Food Composition Tables, suggesting a need to review the current system of food supply,
preparation and food sertnce unthin army camps in
Malaysia.
A 210-day experiment to assess the efficacy of substituting azolla plant powder at levels of 0, 20, 40, and 60% for fish meal on red tilapia fingerlings (RTF, initial weight of 18.23 ± 0.12 g) performance under salinity levels of 5, 18, and 28ppt. Among the various conditions, RTF-fed 20% azolla at 28 and 5ppt salinity showcased the highest specific growth rate (SGR), whereas the lowest SGR was observed in fish-fed 60% azolla at 5ppt salinity. Upon azolla incorporation, noteworthy elevations in phytoplankton, zooplankton, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, NH3, and NO3 were noted and conversely, azolla introduction led to decreased NH4 and NO2 concentrations in all salinity levels. Further, a significant (p
Inulin-based prebiotics are non-digestible polysaccharides that influence the composition of the gut microbiota in infants and children, notably eliciting a bifidogenic effect with high short chain fatty acid levels. Inulin, a generic term that comprises β-(2,1)-linked linear fructans, is typically isolated from the chicory plant root, and derivatives such as oligofructose and long chain inulin appear to have different physiological properties. The first 1000 days of a child's life are increasingly recognized as a critical timeframe for health also into adulthood, whereby nutrition plays a key role. There is an ever increasing association between nutrition and gut microbiota composition and development, with life health status of an individual. This review summarizes the latest knowledge in the infant gut microbiota from preterms to healthy newborns, as well as in malnourished children in developing countries. The impact of inulin or mixtures thereof on infants, toddlers and young children with respect to intestinal function and immunity in general, is reviewed. Possible benefits of prebiotics to support the gut microbiome of malnourished infants and children, especially those with infections in the developing world, are considered, as well as for the pregnant mothers health. Importantly, novel insights in metabolic programming are covered, which are being increasing recognized for remarkable impact on long term offspring health, and eventual potential beneficial role of prebiotic inulins. Overall increasing findings prompt the potential for gut microbiota-based therapy to support health or prevent the development of certain diseases from conception to adulthood where inulin prebiotics may play a role.
The incidence of breastfeeding among 96 mothers (88/96 were Malays) who were attending various clinics at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital and Kota Bharu General Hospital was about 95%. The feeding patterns show that about 72% of mothers gave mixed feedings (breastmilk plus infant formula) while only 30% gave exclusive breastmilk to their infants in the first six months. Two main reasons for giving mixed feedings were that mothers had to start working soon after giving birth and reported "insufficient milk". Mixed feedings were seen to be more prevalent in the higher income group mothers (> RM1000 per month). About 64% of them who breastfed their child continued to do so beyond 6 months. Regarding their knowledge on breastfeeding, most mothers (98%) knew that breastmilk is good for baby's health, economical, strengthens bonding between mother and child, and was sufficient for the sustenance of the baby. However, when asked about colostrum, 66% of mothers who breastfed their child threw away the colostrum before feeding; some of the reasons given were that colostrum is dirty, and not suitable for the baby's health and it might cause some diseases.
A dietary survey was carried out in 216 children (109 males, 107 females) aged 1-7 years, living in rural villages in Selangor, Malaysia to assess their nutrient intake and to determine the association between nutrient consumption and socio-economic background. All the children studied had inadequate intakes of energy, iron and niacin according to Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). Children aged of 4-9 years showed inadequate intake of calcium, thiamine and riboflavin. However, the intake of protein, vitamin A and ascorbic acid were above the recommended value. The mean percentage requirements of protein, iron and niacin were significantly higher in children from small families compared with children from large families. However the employment status of mothers had a significantly effect on the mean percentage requirements of niacin. The results indicate that education level of the mothers, is strongly associated with the mean percentage nutrient requirements of children and we strongly feel that this is a strategy to be adopted for improvement in nutrition of children.
Problems with assessing the effect of maternal nutrition and lactation performance are presented in relation to a conceptual mathematical ziggurat. Difficulties, variations and flows are to be found in stages of this sequence of "logic" [e.g., assessment of maternal nutrition, volume and composition of breast milk, nutritional satisfactions of the nursling). It is concluded that the various steps in this process of reasoning are subject to much more variation and adaptation than appreciated. Much so-called "faltering" in the second trimester is physiologically normal ("pseudo-faltering").
A case-control study was carried out to determine the child-minding practices and their relationships with nutritional status of children between 6 and 12 months old. Sixty-five percent of the mothers go to the farm and 25 percent of, them bring their children with them. Only 42.8 percent of the children were looked after by their mothers. The odds of being malnourished were greater among children who were not looked after by their mothers. It is suggested that nutrition education be given in the village so that the other child-minders can benefit from it.
A study was carried out to study lite prevalence of hypertension amongst rural Malays living in two villages in Kuala Selangor district. Simple random sampling of households was carried out and all members 15 years and above were examined. Out of 359 persons examined, 92 (25.6%) had hypertension. A significant increase in prevalence was observed with increasing age and in smokers. Prevalence rates did not differ significantly in the two sexes and with income. Only 38 of the hypertensives were known cases. It was found that 78. 7% of them had been detected within less than five years and 81.6% had undergone medical treatment. It is proposed that preventive programmes in hypertension be introduced in rural health services and a national prevalence survey be conducted.