- 5 - Thinness as a public health problem
Low prevalence (warning sign,
monitoring required): 5-9% of population with BMI <18.5
Medium prevalence
(poor situation): 10-19% of population with BMI <18.5
High prevalence
(serious situation): 20-39% of population with BMI <18.5
Very high prevalence
(critical situation): 40% of population with BMI <18.5
- 6 -
Mean Birth Weights in different parts of the world
Region Region Mean Birth WeightMean Birth Weight
(kg)(kg)
North America, Western Europe 3.5-3.6
and Australia
Eastern Europe 3.1-3.3
Africa and East Asia 2.9-3.1
South Asia 2.7
- 7 - Mean Birth Weights and LBW in SEAR
LBW LBW
Country Country N N (<2500g) (<2500g) Birth weight Birth weight
(Kg)(Kg)
India 4307 33.0 2.63
Nepal
Rural 2529 14.3 2.78
Urban 3629 22.3 2.76
Sri Lanka 1851 18.4 2.84
Myanmar 3582 17.8 2.85
Indonesia 1647 10.5 2.94
Thailand 4124 9.6 3.00
USA
Afro-American 4614 10.6 3.14
Whites 16481 6.0 3.36
*Source: WHO, 1993.
- 8 - MATERNAL PARAMETERS (MEANS) ACCORDING TO BMI STATUSMATERNAL PARAMETERS (MEANS) ACCORDING TO BMI STATUS
BMI CLASSES N MOTHER'S (Wt, Kg.) BIRTH (Wt, Kg.) LBW (<2500 g)%
<16.0 81 35.4 2510 53.1
CED III
16.0-16.9 133 38.1 2573 41.4
CED II
17.0-18.4 460 40.9 2653 35.9
CED I
18.5-19.9 553 44.1 2771 27.7
(NORMAL)
20.0-24.9 717 49.6 2812 26.4
(NORMAL)
25.0-29.9 68 60.6 2972 14.7
(OBESE)
> 30 5 75.5 2972 20.0
(OBESE)
TOTAL 2017 45.2 2742 30.5
Source : NNMB Repeat Surveys (1991) , Quoted by Nadamuni Naidu et al, 1994.
-10-
BIRTH WEIGHTS IN POOR AND WELL TO DO GROUPS INBIRTH WEIGHTS IN POOR AND WELL TO DO GROUPS IN
MADRAS AND COONORMADRAS AND COONOR
NN B.WT PREMATUREB.WT PREMATURE
Lbs Kg (%)Lbs Kg (%)
1949
SPEL.WARD 1269 7.12 3.2 -
GEN.WARD 1179 6.3 2.8 -
1954
SPEL.WARD 200 6.85 3.08 12.3
GEN.WARD 500 6.01 2.7 8.4
SOURCE : Varkki C, et al, 1955.
-11-
Birth weights (kg) in poor after supplementation
1971 1972
No No No No
Supplementation Supplementation Supplementation SupplementationSupplementation Supplementation Supplementation Supplementation
Food Folic acid Iron Iron+ Folic acid
2.704 3.028 2.920 2.570 2.650 2.899
Source : L.Iyengar, 1972.
-12 -
Attempts made to increase birth weights in poor
socio-economic group
1. Iron
2. Folic acid
3. Iron and Folic acid
4. Zinc
5. Vitamin A
6. N
3
fats, fish oils
7. Micro nutrients
8. Reduction of activities
-
13 -
Distribution (%) of 1-5 years children according to nutritional
status (Weight for age) by sex-Gomez classification
Nutrition Grades* Nutrition Grades* Boys GirlsPooled
(n=2011) (n=1957) (n=3968)(n=2011) (n=1957) (n=3968)
NormalNormal 13.1 12.112.6
MildMild 45.5 45.545.5
Moderate Moderate 37.4 37.837.6
SevereSevere 4.0 4.6 4.3
* NCHS standards* NCHS standards
Source: NNMB 2005Source: NNMB 2005..
-14 a-
Distribution (%) of 1-5 years according to Weight for age – standard
deviation (SD) classification by gender
Weight for age* Weight for age* Boys GirlsPooled
(n=2011) (n=1957) (n=3968)(n=2011) (n=1957) (n=3968)
Median Median 3.5 3.6 3.6
-1SD to-1SD toMedian Median 11.4 10.1 10.8
-2SD to -1SD-2SD to -1SD 31.4 31.1 31.2
-3SD to-3SD to -2SD -2SD 38.2 37.7 37.9
<Median - 3SD<Median - 3SD 15.5 17.5 16.5
* NCHS standards* NCHS standards
Source: NNMB 2005.Source: NNMB 2005.
- 14b -
Distribution (%) of 1-5 years according to Weight for age – standard
deviation (SD) classification by Age groups
Weight for age*Weight for age* < 1 1-3 3-5 < 1 1-3 3-5
Median Median 23.1 4.5 2.723.1 4.5 2.7
-1SD to Median -1SD to Median 26.726.7 11.5 10.9 11.5 10.9
-2SD to -1SD-2SD to -1SD 27.927.9 28.8 28.8 31.7
-3SD to-2SD -3SD to-2SD 16.2 16.2 35.0 35.0 39.9 39.9
<Median -3SD<Median -3SD 6.16.1 20.2 20.2 14.9 14.9
* NCHS standards* NCHS standards
Source: NNMB 2005.Source: NNMB 2005.
- 15 a -
Distribution (%) of 1-5 years children according to Height for age
standard deviation (SD) classification by gender
Height for age* eight for age* Boys GirlsPooled
(n=2011) (n=1957) (n=3968)(n=2011) (n=1957) (n=3968)
Median Median 8.0 6.6 7.3
-1SD toMedian 15.5 13.4 14.5
-2SD to -1SD 26.4 25.5 26.0
-3SD to -2SD 26.6 27.9 27.2
<Median - 3SD 23.5 26.6 25.0
* NCHS standards* NCHS standards
Source: NNMB 2005.Source: NNMB 2005.
- 15 b -
Distribution (%) of 1-5 years according to Height for age – standard
deviation (SD) classification by Age groups
Height for age*Height for age* < 1 1-3 3-5 < 1 1-3 3-5
Median Median 28.3 9.4 6.228.3 9.4 6.2
-1SD to Median -1SD to Median 27.627.6 16.3 14.0 16.3 14.0
-2SD to -1SD-2SD to -1SD 25.525.5 23.0 23.0 28.228.2
-3SD to-2SD -3SD to-2SD 12.8 12.8 24.8 24.8 28.2 28.2
<Median -3SD<Median -3SD 5.75.7 26.5 26.5 23.5 23.5
* NCHS standards* NCHS standards
Source: NNMB 2005.Source: NNMB 2005.
-16 a -
Distribution (%) of 1-5 years children according Weight for Height
standard deviation (SD) classification by gender
Weight forWeight for HHeight * eight * Boys GirlsBoys Girls Pooled Pooled
(n=2457) (n=2399) (n=4856)(n=2457) (n=2399) (n=4856)
Median Median 10.8 10.8 13.2 13.2 12.0 12.0
-1SD to-1SD toMedian Median 31.531.5 31.1 31.1 31.3 31.3
-2SD to -1SD-2SD to -1SD 41.841.8 41.6 41.6 41.7 41.7
-3SD to-3SD to -2SD -2SD 13.313.3 11.8 11.8 12.6 12.6
<Median - 3SD<Median - 3SD 2.52.5 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.4
* NCHS standards* NCHS standards
Source: NNMB 2005-06.Source: NNMB 2005-06.
-16 b -
Distribution (%) of 1-5 years according to Weight for Height–
standard deviation (SD) classification by Age groups
Weight for Height *Weight for Height * < 1 1-3 3-5 < 1 1-3 3-5
Median Median 23.5 11.7 12.223.5 11.7 12.2
-1SD to Median -1SD to Median 39.439.4 30.2 32.4 30.2 32.4
-2SD to -1SD-2SD to -1SD 24.124.1 43.6 43.6 39.9
-3SD to-2SD -3SD to-2SD 8.6 8.6 11.8 13.3 13.3
<Median -3SD<Median -3SD 4.44.4 2.6 2.6 2.2 2.2
* NCHS standards* NCHS standards
Source: NNMB 2005.Source: NNMB 2005.
-20 –
Other nutritional problems
Apart from stunting and under weight –
1.1.AnaemiaAnaemia - 60-90%
2.2.Iodine DeficiencyIodine Deficiency - endemic most parts of the country
3.3.Goitre Goitre - endemic in North East, sub Himalayan
range, many tribal belts in central India
4.4.FluorosisFluorosis - endemic many parts of the country
-21 –21 –
According to Recommended Dietary GuidelinesAccording to Recommended Dietary Guidelines
60-65% Calories from Carbohydrates
25-30% from Fat
10-12% from Protein
Each of these calories, proteins and fats must be derived from as
many foods as possible
In the rural area of India 80% of Calories are derived from from
Cereals
Those with adequate calories from cereals have high iron intakes,
but because almost All the calories come from cereals, the iron is
not available…this population must derive its calories from other
sources such as pulse, meat, vegetable, milk egg to use this iron.
- 22 -
•Children Only 30% have calorie adequacy (from cereals).
They are deficient in all the other nutrient rich foods
recommended for children.
•The WHO Recommendation
•Calories - 30-40% must come from fats (low volumes and
energy densities)
• Vitamin A, calcium, iron - from milk, eggs, flesh foods,
vegetables, fruit etc. (will also contribute additional calories),
•Cereals, pulse to be used to bridge the calorie gap.
• In India – it is reversed, cereal load has resulted in simple
minded diagnosis of micronutrient deficiencies.
- 23 -
How did we reach this Cereal – Calorie Trap ?
RDA,
Consumption units
Minimum Wages
Poverty Line
Green Revolution---PDS The consumption unit
story
- 25 -- 25 -
Coefficient for computing calorie requirement of different groupsCoefficient for computing calorie requirement of different groups**
Group Cu-Units
Adult male (sedentary worker) 1.0
Adult male (moderate worker) 1.2
Adult male (heavy worker) 1.6
Adult female (sedentary worker) 0.8
Adult female (moderate worker) 0.9
Adult female (heavy worker) 1.2
Adolescents 12 – 21 years 1.0
Children 9 to 12 years 0.8
Children 7 to 9 years 0.7
Children 5 to 7 years 0.6
Children 3 to 5 years 0.5
Children 1 to 3 years 0.4
*Source: Gopalan et al (1991)
- 26 -- 26 -
Minimum Wages - Criteria
1.3 consumption units * for one wage earner
2.2700 cals per average Indian adult
3.?? Clothing - 72 yards per annum per family
4.?? House rent
5.? Fuel, Lighting etc… - 20% of wages
6.?? Education, Medical and other expenses
- 27- 27 - Since Minimum wages are based on caloriesSince Minimum wages are based on calories
Cheapest source of 2000 calories Cheapest source of 2000 calories
(Gm)(Gm) Cost (Rs.)Cost (Rs.)
Sugar 520 8.00
Rice 571.4 11.0
Oil 225 ml 18.0
Dals 500.0 22.0
Potato 2000 20.0
Sapota, banana 1740 25
Milk 3250ml 60
Chicken 2000 120
Dry fruits 400 200
- 28 -- 28 - Micironutrients essential for man Micironutrients essential for man
VitaminsVitamins Trace minerals Trace minerals
A.A.Micronutrients known to be essential for man and animalsMicronutrients known to be essential for man and animals
Vitamin A Thiamin Iron Selenium
Vitamin D Riboflavin IodineManganese
Vitamin K Nicotinic acidZinc Chromium
Vitamin E Pyridoxine Copper Cobalt
Essential fatty acid Folic acid
(-6 and -3)
Biotin (?) Vitamin B
12
Pantothenic acid (?) Ascorbic acid
B. Micronutrients essential for animals and not yet established as essential for manB. Micronutrients essential for animals and not yet established as essential for man
Choline Silicon Molybdenum
p-Aminobenzoic acid FluorineArsenic
Nickel
Source: Narasinga Rao BS.
- 29 -- 29 - Phytonutrients for Health Promotion Phytonutrients for Health Promotion
Phytonutrient class
Carotenoids
Glucosinolates,
Isothiocyanates,
Indoles
Inositol phosphates
Phenolics, cyclic compounds
Phytoestrogens
Phytosterols
Polyphenols
Protease inhibitor
Saponins
Sulfides and thiols
Source: Beecher
- 31 -
Phytonutrients act synergistically with micronutrients – as part of an
orchestra.
Example - -carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium act as
Antioxidants with flavonoids, carotenoids and phenolic compounds.
An orchestra cannot be converted to a solo.
-carotene supplementation to prevent lung cancer did not lower
rates of lung cancer – it increased it among high risk groups.
Single agents can be counter productive.
- 32 - Distribution (%) of children by protein –calorie
adequacy status
Age (yrs)Age (yrs)% with adequate % with adequate % with adequate % with adequate
calories Vitamins Mineralscalories Vitamins Minerals
1-3 31.8 8.0 15.0
4-6 28.2 10.0 20.0
7-9 28.1 7.5 20.0
10-12 26.0 (B) 9.0 15.0
32.9 (G)
Source: NNMB Reports, 2002
-33 –
Mean intake of one Nutrient iron (mg) by levels of
percentage RDA of energy
Details % RDA of energy Iron
Mean ±SD (n)
Women
< 70 9.6 ± 7.50 (1081)
(9.2 – 10.0)
70 – 100 13.2 ±8.07 (2567)
12.9 - 13.5)
100 17.0 ±9.64 (2034)
16.3 – 17.1)
Pooled 13.8 ±8.94 (5682)
-34 –
Mean intake of one nutrient iron (mg) by levels of
percentage RDA of energy
Details % RDA of energy Iron
Mean ±SD (n)
Children
1-6 yrs
< 70 5.9 ±4.57 (2898)
(5.7 – 6.1)
70 – 100 9.7 ± 6.46 (856)
(9.3 – 10.2)
100 14.0 ± 9.19 (234)
(12.9 – 15.2)
Pooled 7.2 ± 5.87 (3988)
- 35 -
Supplying additional iron would reduce anemia only if
iron is very deficient and only up to the point where
another factor becomes rate limiting. In the case of
poor societies, other factors- both nutritional and
environmental- are as important. Therefore,
management of nutritional anemia requires Health
and food (providing many nutrients, not just iron).
Instead of putting all nutrients into one food (cereal)
Cereal should be eaten with nutrient rich foods.
- 36 -- 36 -
Further addition of iron in these diets or iron supplements may
cause iron overload known to have the following impacts on
1.Oxidative damage, diarrhea, in undernourished populations
2.Infections, like Malaria, TB, HIV,
3.Even deaths
What is required is sources of foods which make the iron available
such as
1.Vitamin C rich foods
2.Small amounts of meat which provides haem iron
3.Fill the calorie gap with foods other than cereals
These increase the iron availability by 10 times.
-37 -37 -
Wheat flour fortification
To increase intakes of iron – using whole wheat flour (cereal) - iron
availability is only – 1-2%
Other option - chemical addition to whole wheat flour
NaEDTA – to increase iron availability by 2-3 times
However, it increases viscosity of the flour
? Toxicity – and binding with other metal ions
Costly – four times
Ferrous sulfate - without EDTA low bioavailability
alters taste – with EDTA – iron amount have to be
decreased net iron intake the same
Elemental iron – Low bioavailability
Fortification of flour in the West is carried out using MAIDA
(refined flour)
- 38 -- 38 -
Options – whole country to switch to Refined flour (MAIDA) or
Tolerate Toxicity of EDTA
Safe levels to be calculated in undernourished populations
Intake should not be more than 2.5 mg / kg body weight
At this level of EDTA it does not provide adequate iron for children
No studies on the use of fortified flour in children
- 39 -- 39 -
St.John’s study (Kurpad)
Role of school lunch programme on anemia status of school
children
Government school children – given the usual vitamin A and
anti-helmenthic
Had the regular school lunch programme (cooked rice, dal, some
vegetables)
No iron tablets were distributed
Anemia reduced from 60% to 20%
Important role of providing food on Anemia
- 40 -- 40 -
Millions of tons of cereals will be processed so that a
few mg quantities of a nutrient is added– and only
1-5% is available to humans
Need to re-look at strategy
Studies done in the following countries did not show
improvements in haemoglobin after the distribution
of iron fortified wheat flour.
Srilanka
Bangladesh
Thailand
Morocco
Ivory coast
India
- 41 –41 –
The National Anemia Prophylaxis Programme
Iron tabletsIron tablets – distributed under medical supervision.
Health care may be accessed (differences between
Pemba and Nepal study)
Iron Fortified Wheat Flour – may leave Governments and
people complacent.
Research on the relative safety of iron supplements as
tablets or elixirs and fortified foods in areas endemic for
malaria and other intracellular infections are not known.
- 43 - - 43 - Average Intake of Nutrients (per day) (Boys and Girls)
Age (yrs)
1 – 3 4 - 6
Mean RDA Mean RDAMean RDA Mean RDA
Protein (g) 20.2 22.0 28.7 30.0
Total fat (g) 10.7 25.0 12.7 25.0
Energy (Kcal) 719 1240 1020 1690
Calcium (mg) 245 400 272 400
Iron (mg) 5.7 12 8.6 18
Vit.A (µg) 129 400 166 400
Thiamin (mg) 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.9
Riboflavin (mg) 0.3 0.7 0.4 1.0
Niacin (mg) 5.2 8.0 7.9 11.0
Vit.C (mg) 17 30 25 40
Free folic acid (µg) 20.3 30 28.8 40
- 44 -- 44 -
Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (National Institute of Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (National Institute of
Nutrition) Nutrition)
Average intake in hospital of a 7 kg child
Bread 40 gms
Rice 50 gms
Milk 500 ml
Oil 20 ml
Dal 25 gms
sugar 10 gms
Banana 1
Eggs 1
1100 cal, 35 gms protein
Approximate cost of a 1000 Kcal diet – Rs 15 /-
- 45 -- 45 -
Rehabilitation diet for undernourished children
Diet - as close to the home diet as possible
Routine Diet at Nutrition ward for children
6 AM Milk
8.30 am Khichri
11 AM Bread and Milk / egg
1.30pm Lunch Rice, Dal,etc
4pm Milk / Egg
7pm Dinner Rice Dal etc
10pm Milk
Extra milk given during night if required
- 46 -- 46 -
The need to provide regular food, familiar as close to
home food as possible vs high density packaged food.
1.Problems of processed food which is not produced
locally.
2.Half the children of this country will require this
3.Assured supply for years is hard to imagine
4. Local populations will learn to trust only packaged
food
5. Women will forget how to feed their children
6. Local employments of millions of women will be
affected
- 47 -47 -
Iron content (mg) of common foods in 100g of edible portion
CerealCereal Iron (mg)Iron (mg)
Bajra 8.0
Jowar 4.1
Ragi 3.9
Rice, raw, hand pounded 3.2
Rice, bran 35.0
Rice, flakes 20.0
Rice, puffed 6.6
Wheat, bulgar (parboiled) 4.9
Wheat, whole 5.3
Wheat flour (whole) 4.9
Wheat flour (refined) 2.7
Wheat germ 6.0
Wheat bread (brown) 2.2