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Influence of carotene-rich vegetable meals on the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency in Filipino schoolchildren

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 64, pages 468–474 (2010)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the effects of eating carotene-rich green and yellow vegetables on the prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia in schoolchildren.

Subjects and methods:

Schoolchildren (n=104), aged 9–12 years, received standardized meals containing 4.2 mg of provitamin A carotenoids/day (mainly β-carotene) from yellow and green leafy vegetables and at least 7 g dietary fat/day. The meals were provided three times/day, 5 days/week, for 9 weeks at school. Before and after the dietary intervention, total-body vitamin A pool size was assessed by using the deuterated-retinol-dilution method; serum retinol and β-carotene concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography; and whole blood haemoglobin (Hb) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) concentrations were measured by using a photometer and a hematofluorometer, respectively.

Results:

After 9 weeks, the mean total-body vitamin A pool size increased twofold (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.11, −0.07 μmol retinol; P<0.001), and serum β-carotene concentration increased fivefold (95% CI: −0.97, −0.79 μmol/l; P<0.001). Blood Hb (95% CI: −1.02, −0.52 g per 100 ml; P<0.001) and ZnPP increased (95% CI: −11.82, −4.57 μmol/mol haem; P<0.001). The prevalence of anaemia (Hb<11.5 g per 100 ml) decreased from 12.5 to 1.9% (P<0.001). There were no significant changes in the prevalence of iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anaemia.

Conclusions:

Ingestion of carotene-rich yellow and green leafy vegetables improves the total-body vitamin A pool size and Hb concentration, and decreases anaemia rates in Filipino schoolchildren, with no effect on iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anaemia rates.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the children who participated in this study and their caregivers; and the staff of the Nutrition Center of the Philippines, and of the Bureau of Research and Laboratories, Department of Health, Manila, for their contributions during the field work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Division, Nutrition Center of the Philippines, Taguig City, Philippines

    C C Maramag, P Rayco-Solon, L W Tengco & F S Solon

  2. Jean Mayer US Department of Agriculture, Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA

    J D Ribaya-Mercado & J B Blumberg

  3. Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines, Ermita, City of Manila, Philippines

    J A A Solon

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  1. C C Maramag
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  2. J D Ribaya-Mercado
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  3. P Rayco-Solon
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  6. J B Blumberg
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Correspondence to C C Maramag.

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Contributors: CCM coordinated the implementation of the study, participated in data analysis and writing of the manuscript; JDR-M was principal investigator, participated in the study design and writing of the manuscript; PR-S contributed to data analysis and writing of the manuscript; JAAS contributed to the writing of the manuscript; LWT coordinated the implementation of the study; JBB coordinated the procedure at Tufts University; FSS participated in the study design and was overall coordinator of procedures in the Philippines. The authors critically reviewed the manuscript.

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Maramag, C., Ribaya-Mercado, J., Rayco-Solon, P. et al. Influence of carotene-rich vegetable meals on the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency in Filipino schoolchildren. Eur J Clin Nutr 64, 468–474 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2010.23

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