Effects of two micronutrient‐fortified food aid products containing different levels of dairy protein on anthropometric variables in rural pre‐school children in Guinea‐Bissau (804.15)

Food insecurity is widespread in Guinea‐Bissau. We tested the efficacy of two Micronutrient‐Rich Ready to Use Supplementary Foods (MNR‐RUSF) in preschool children aged 3‐5 years over 3 months. 9 preschools (n=421 children) were randomly assigned to one of two interventions (MNR‐RUSF sachets containing 500 kcal with either 15% or 33% of protein from dairy sources, provided 5 mornings/week) or to a control (C) group that received no MNR‐RUSF. Weight, height and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured at baseline and endline. At baseline, 5.6% of enrollees had weight‐for‐age z scores <‐2 and 7.1% had height‐for‐age z scores <‐2. Both intervention groups had a significant increase in weight over time vs. controls (15% group = 0.77+0.75 kg, 33% group = 0.76+0.78 kg, C = 0.42+0.1.8 kg, p<0.05) but not in height (p=0.34) and changes in these variables were not different between the 15% and 33% groups (p= 0.99 and p=0.38). There was a significant increase in MUAC in both the intervention groups relative to controls, and the 33% group had a greater increase than the 15% group (15% group = ‐0.03±0.68 cm, 33% group = 0.14±0.78 cm, C = ‐0.31±0.67cm, p<0.001). This study is the first to focus on anthropometry in preschool children in Guinea‐Bissau and indicates that, while both standard and high‐dairy MNR‐RUSF products improve weight in preschool populations with a high prevalence of malnutrition, those containing high levels of dairy protein have additional benefits for MUAC. Grant Funding Source : Supported by USDA/FAS under Agreement FFE‐657‐2012/043‐00