TY - JOUR
T1 - Improved micronutrient status and health outcomes in low-and middle-income countries following large-scale fortification
T2 - Evidence from a systematic review and meta-Analysis
AU - Keats, Emily C.
AU - Neufeld, Lynnette M.
AU - Garrett, Greg S.
AU - Mbuya, Mduduzi N.N.
AU - Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© American Society for Nutrition 2019. All rights reserved.
PY - 2019/6/1
Y1 - 2019/6/1
N2 - Background: Micronutrient malnutrition is highly prevalent in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and disproportionately affects women and children. Although the effectiveness of largescale food fortification (LSFF) of staple foods to prevent micronutrient deficiencies in high-income settings has been demonstrated, its effectiveness in LMICs is less well characterized. This is important as food consumption patterns, potential food vehicles, and therefore potential for impact may vary substantially in these contexts. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the real-world impact of LSFF with key micronutrients (vitamin A, iodine, iron, folic acid) on improving micronutrient status and functional health outcomes in LMICs. Methods: All applicable published/unpublished evidence was systematically retrieved and analyzed. Studies were not restricted by age or sex. Meta-Analyses were performed for quantitative outcomes and results were presented as summary RRs, ORs, or standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs. Results: LSFF increased serum micronutrient concentrations in several populations and demonstrated a positive impact on functional outcomes, including a 34% reduction in anemia (RR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.74), a 74% reduction in the odds of goiter (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.43), and a 41% reduction in the odds of neural tube defects (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.49, 0.70). Additionally, we found that LSFF with vitamin A could protect nearly 3 million children per year from vitamin A deficiency.We noted an age-specific effect of fortification, with women (aged <18 y) attaining greater benefit than children, whomay consume smaller quantities of fortified staple foods. Several programmatic/implementation factors were also reviewed that may facilitate or limit program potential. Conclusions: Measurable improvements in the micronutrient and health status of women and children are possible with LSFF. However, context and implementation factors are important when assessing programmatic sustainability and impact, and data on these are quite limited in LMIC studies.
AB - Background: Micronutrient malnutrition is highly prevalent in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and disproportionately affects women and children. Although the effectiveness of largescale food fortification (LSFF) of staple foods to prevent micronutrient deficiencies in high-income settings has been demonstrated, its effectiveness in LMICs is less well characterized. This is important as food consumption patterns, potential food vehicles, and therefore potential for impact may vary substantially in these contexts. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the real-world impact of LSFF with key micronutrients (vitamin A, iodine, iron, folic acid) on improving micronutrient status and functional health outcomes in LMICs. Methods: All applicable published/unpublished evidence was systematically retrieved and analyzed. Studies were not restricted by age or sex. Meta-Analyses were performed for quantitative outcomes and results were presented as summary RRs, ORs, or standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs. Results: LSFF increased serum micronutrient concentrations in several populations and demonstrated a positive impact on functional outcomes, including a 34% reduction in anemia (RR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.74), a 74% reduction in the odds of goiter (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.43), and a 41% reduction in the odds of neural tube defects (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.49, 0.70). Additionally, we found that LSFF with vitamin A could protect nearly 3 million children per year from vitamin A deficiency.We noted an age-specific effect of fortification, with women (aged <18 y) attaining greater benefit than children, whomay consume smaller quantities of fortified staple foods. Several programmatic/implementation factors were also reviewed that may facilitate or limit program potential. Conclusions: Measurable improvements in the micronutrient and health status of women and children are possible with LSFF. However, context and implementation factors are important when assessing programmatic sustainability and impact, and data on these are quite limited in LMIC studies.
KW - Developing Countries
KW - Effectiveness
KW - Folic Acid
KW - Fortification
KW - Functional Outcomes
KW - Iodine
KW - Iron
KW - Micronutrient Status
KW - Systematic Review
KW - Vitamin A
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85067269338&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/ajcn/nqz023
DO - 10.1093/ajcn/nqz023
M3 - Article
C2 - 30997493
AN - SCOPUS:85067269338
SN - 0002-9165
VL - 109
SP - 1696
EP - 1708
JO - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
JF - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
IS - 6
ER -