Diet inadequacies and neurobehavioural impairment in rural highland Ecuadoreans

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dc.contributor.authorBerti, Peter R.
dc.contributor.authorKrasevec, Julia
dc.contributor.authorCole, Donald
dc.date.accessioned2011-07-28T18:09:24Z
dc.date.available2011-07-28T18:09:24Z
dc.date.issued2004
dc.descriptionAlso available at: www.healthbridge.ca/Berti%20Krasevec%20Cole%20Aug2004.pdfen
dc.description.abstractObjectives: To examine the adequacy of the diet and neurobehavioural performance, and the relationship between diet and neurobevaiour in residents of a highland Ecuadorian community, who grow much of their own food, and uses high levels of neurotoxic agricultural pesticides. Methods: Quantitative 24-hour recalls were conducted on at least two non-consecutive days for each household member (n=276). Adequacy of nutrient intake was assessed through comparison with FAO/WHO recommendations. Neurobehavioral tests focused on visual and motor domains. Mean age and education standardized Z-scores were calculated for each domain using data from a non-rural referent population. Results: Dietary energy was mostly from carbohydrates (74%), with relatively low intakes of fat (16%) and protein (10%). The highest probabilities of inadequacy existed for vitamin A (30- 59% in different age-gender strata) and vitamin B-12 (18-45%). Iodine intake was sufficient in all age groups. Among the 101 adults who had neurobehavioral assessments, mean Z-scores were below 0, particularly for motor function among women (mean –1.2, standard deviation 0.7). Conclusions: Neurobehavioural performance was impaired in many individuals and the diet is in many ways inadequate, however no consistent relationship was observed between neurobehaviour and diet. Iodine dietary inadequacy has been virtually eradicated and riboflavin inadequacy has declined (80% in a 1994 study to 4% here) consistent with fortification programs. However, vitamin A, B12 and zinc inadequacies persisted, underscoring the continuing need for community level nutrition programs and national level efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods and dietary diversity.en
dc.formatTexten
dc.format.extent1 digital file (23 p. : ill.)en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10625/46640
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectPOTATOESen
dc.subjectDIETen
dc.subjectNUTRITIONen
dc.subjectVITAMIN INTAKEen
dc.subjectNEUROBEHAVIOURAL TESTINGen
dc.subjectECUADORen
dc.titleDiet inadequacies and neurobehavioural impairment in rural highland Ecuadoreansen
dc.title.alternativeDiet and neurobehavioural impairmenten
dc.typeJournal Articleen
idrc.dspace.accessIDRC Onlyen
idrc.project.number004321
idrc.project.titleHuman Health and Changes in Potato Production Technology in the Highland Ecuadorian Agro-ecosystemen
idrc.rims.adhocgroupIDRC SUPPORTEDen

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IDRC Research Results / Résultats de recherches du CRDI
2000-2009 / Années 2000-2009
Environmental Pollution (includes SMEs and Mining) / Pollution de l’environnement (comprend les PME et l'industrie minière)
Latin America and the Caribbean / Amérique latine et Caraïbes
Research Results (Ecohealth) / Résultats de recherches (Écosanté)