Vitamins A and D Fortification of Milk and Their Impact on Nutritional Status of School Children in Rural Regions of Morocco
Kaoutar Benjeddou *
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Imane E. L. Menchawy
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Elom Kouassivi Aglago
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Mehdi Azlaf
Ministry of Education, Rabat, Morocco,
Baha Rabi
Ministry of Health, Rabat, Morocco.
Issad Baddou
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Naima Saied
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Hakim Belghiti
Hopital d'Instruction Militaire Mohamed V, Rabat, Morocco.
Asmaa E. L. Hamdouchi
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Khalid E. L. Kari
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
E. L. Arbi Rjimati
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Noureddine E. L. Haloui
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
Hassan Aguenaou
Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation (URAC 39 Associé au CNRST), Université Ibn Tofaïl (Faculé des Sciences)-CNESTEN, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: Vitamins A and D deficiencies constitute a major public health problem in Morocco. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of consumption of vitamins A and D fortified milk on the nutritional status of school children in rural areas
Methods: This study is a double-blinded longitudinal one targeting children, 7-9y old (n = 380). Children were divided in two groups: a non fortified group (NFG) received 200 ml of non fortified UHT milk and a fortified group (FG) received 200 ml UHT milk fortified with vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) and vitamin D (D3) to cover 30% of RDA.
Clinical assessment, anthropometry, morbidity, alimentary and socioeconomic surveys, blood samples collection were performed at baseline (T0), 4 months (T4) and 9 months (T9). Vitamins A and D were assessed in serum. Cognitive test based on Raven matrix was assigned to children at T0 and T9.
Results: At T9 FG showed: 18% reduction of stunting, elimination of the vitamin A deficiency (from 50% to 4,3%), reduction of vitamin D deficiency (from 60% to 25,5%). Cognitive tests showed no significant difference between the two groups.
At T9 in the NFG we observed a decrease in vitamins A and D deficiency prevalence probably due to the fact that non fortified whole milk contains residus of Vit A (27 µg/100 ml) and Vit D (0,5 µg/100 ml).
Conclusions: The national strategy of vitamins (A and D3) fortification is a success story in Morocco. This study was performed with the support of "Fondation Centrale Laitière pour la nutrition de l'enfant".