Anemia and energetic malnutrition are considered to be the major nutritional challenges in developing countries. The efficacy of the various programs implemented to solve these problems has been assessed by studies with enriched food products. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the daily acceptance of an iron-enriched cereal, as well as its effect on the anthropometric parameters and hemoglobin levels of children aged 1 to 4 years old. Fifty-four children enrolled at a public day care unit participated in the study. They were divided into two groups: Group I with 24 children (median age: 2 years and 2 months) and Group II with 30 children (median age: 3 years and 6 months). Their food intake, weight, height and serum hemoglobin levels were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study. During a period of two months, milk and bread, which made up the children's breakfast and afternoon snack, were substituted by the enriched cereal in the form of porridge, which increased the iron intake in 2 to 3mg per day. The results showed that there was a significant increase in the weight for height rate of both groups, with improvement of nutritional condition in those children with acute malnutrition. With regard to serum hemoglobin levels, Group I showed an initial average level of 9.9 ± 2.0g/dl. The average level at the final evaluation, 11.4 ± 1.0g/dl, was significantly higher (p< 0.05) than at the start. Group II, with average serum hemoglobin level of 11.6 ± 0.9g/dl at the start, did not show a significant difference from the level at the end (11.9± 0.9g/dl).At the start of the study the incidence of anemia in Group I was of 81%. This value went down to 31.2% at the end of two months. For Group II, the incidence decreased from 20.8% to 12.5% at the end. The average daily intake of cereal during the first week was lower than in subsequent weeks. It is concluded that the product used in this study increased the serum hemoglobin levels of the children with anemia and contributed to the nutritional improvement of those who were malnourished. In addition, the cereal was well accepted by the children.
cereals; iron; anthropometry; hemoglobins; preschool; child
