Contribution of animal source foods to total iron intake of children in coastal Ghana

The poor micronutrient status of children in developing countries has been attributed partially to a heavy reliance on plant‐based diets. 66 Ghanaian children aged 2 to 5 y were recruited from 2 farming and 2 fishing communities to assess the contribution of animal source foods (ASF) to the total iron intake. Dietary data were collected on 2 d using weighed food records and hemoglobin (Hb) was measured. Daily intakes of iron for children in farming and fishing communities were 10.6 ± 0.7 mg and 11.0 ± 0.9 mg, respectively. ASF contributed more to the iron intake of children from farming communities than those from the fishing communities (13.9 ± 2.1% vs. 8.9 ± 1.3%, p=0.05). Red meats tended to be consumed more by children from farming than fishing communities (21% vs. 6%, p=0.09). The prevalence of low Hb (<11 g/dL) tended to be lower among children in farming communities compared to those in fishing communities (79.4% vs. 93.8%, p=0.09). Children's low Hb status may partly be due to a low consumption of ASF. Interventions to improve ASF intake may be needed in these poor communities. Funded in part by GL‐CRSP through USAID Grant #PCE‐G‐00‐98‐00036‐00