U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Obesity and Metabolism Research: Davis, CA
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Laboratories
                        Bennett Group
                                    Huang Group
                                    Keim Group
                                    Laugero Group
                                    Newman GroupSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Pacific West Area Davis, California Western Human Nutrition Research Center Obesity and Metabolism Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            DARY, OMAR - Us Agency For International Development (USAID)item
                                            RAMBELSON, ZO - Us Agency For International Development (USAID)item
                                            Shahab-Ferdows, Settiitem
                                            DROR, DAPHNA - University Of Californiaitem
                                            Allen, Lindsay

                                                         - *A*item
                                            CARRIQUIRY, ALICIA - Iowa State Universityitem
                                            SALMAN, RAND - Us Agency For International Development (USAID)
  Submitted to: Public Health Nutrition
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 12/30/2014
                                    Publication  Date: 8/7/2014
                                    Citation: Dary, O., Rambelson, Z., Shahab-Ferdows, S., Dror, D., Allen, L.H., Carriquiry, A., Salman, R. 2014. Predicted efficacy of the Palestinian wheat flour fortification program: complementary analysis of biochemical and dietary data. Public Health Nutrition. 18:1950-1957.Interpretive Summary: Biochemical analysis of nutritional status biomarkers, and dietary data, were collected before a national flour fortification programme was started and used to 1) identify micronutrient insufficiencies and deficiencies, and dietary inadequacies in Palestinian women and children in vulnerable communities, and 2) assess whether the current formulation for micronutrient fortification of wheat flour is suitable. Households were randomly selected in Gaza City and Hebron. Diet intake was assessed quantitatively with questionnaires and fasting venous blood was collected. The impact of fortification was simulated by estimating the additional micronutrient intake that would come from fortified flour. Participants were non-pregnant women age 18-49 y and children age 36-43 mo. The micronutrients with the highest prevalence of insufficiency were vitamin D in women (84-97% with serum 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L) and vitamin B12 in women and children (43-82% with serum B12 < 221 pmol/L). Deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, and zinc were also of public health concern. Current levels of micronutrients proposed for addition to flour would improve but not eliminate inadequacies. Changes may be indicated in the amounts of vitamin D, thiamin, vitamin B12, zinc and folic acid that should be added. We conclude that micronutrient deficiencies and insufficiencies were prevalent based on either biochemical or dietary data. Adjustments to the current flour fortification formula are recommended.
                                Technical Abstract: Objective: To utilize complementary biochemical and dietary data collected before the initiation of national flour fortification to 1) identify micronutrient insufficiencies or deficiencies and dietary inadequacies in Palestinian women and children in vulnerable communities and 2) assess the suitability of the current wheat flour fortification formula.
Design: Quantitative dietary intake questionnaires were administered and fasting venous blood samples collected in randomly selected households in Gaza City and Hebron. The impact of fortification was simulated by estimating the additional micronutrient content of fortified wheat flour.
Setting: Households in Gaza City and Hebron that were not receiving food aid from social programs.
Subjects: Non-pregnant women (18-49 y) and children aged 36-83 months
Results: The micronutrients with highest prevalence of insufficiency were vitamin D in women (84-97% with serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) and vitamin B12 in women and children (43-82% with serum B12 < 221 pmol/L). Deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, and zinc were also of public health concern. Current levels of wheat flour fortificants were predicted to improve, but not eliminate, micronutrient intake inadequacies. Modification of fortificant concentrations of vitamin D, thiamin, vitamin B12, zinc and folic acid may be indicated. 
Conclusions: Micronutrient insufficiencies or deficiencies and intake inadequacies were prevalent based on either biochemical or dietary intake criteria. Adjustments to the current fortification formula for wheat flour are necessary to better meet the nutrient needs of Palestinian women and children.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov