Bánh quy được tăng cường đa vi chất dinh dưỡng cải thiện tình trạng thiếu vitamin A và kẽm ở học sinh tiểu học

Concurrent micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent among Vietnamese school children. A school-based program providing food fortified with multiple micronutrients could be a costeffective and sustainable strategy to improve health and functions of school children. However, the efficacy of such an intervention may be compromised by a high prevalence of parasitic infestation. The study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of school-based intervention using multi-micronutrient fortified biscuits (MMF) with, or without deworming on vitamin A and zinc status in rural Vietnamese schoolchildren. The results showed that before the intervention, deficiencies of vitamin A and zinc were significant public health concerns. MMF significantly improved the concentrations of plasma zinc and plasma retinol in rural school children. Fortification significantly reduced the risk of deficiency of zinc by 48 percent and decreased the prevalence of inadequate vitamin A liver stores by 35 percent. In conclusion, multi-micronutrient fortified snack foods distributed in a school feeding program offer an excellent opportunity to supply micronutrients needed for school children at risk for micronutrient deficiencies.