Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
12
Animal Source Foods:
Effects on Nutrition and
Function in Children in
Developing Countries
Monika Grillenberger
contents
Abstract .................................................................................................................. 183
Introduction............................................................................................................ 184
Animal Source Foods in the Nutrition of Children................................................ 185
Nutritional Value of Animal Source Foods ....................................................... 185
Importance of Animal Source Foods in Children's Diets ................................. 185
Animal Source Foods: Functional Outcomes in Children in Developing
Countries ................................................................................................................ 186
Neonatal Growth and Health............................................................................. 187
Micronutrient Status.......................................................................................... 188
Growth............................................................................................................... 188
Cognitive Function and School Performance.................................................... 190
Physical Activity, Emotional State, and Social Interactions During
Free Play............................................................................................................ 191
Meat Consumption and Dietary Iron Bioavailability............................................. 191
Implications............................................................................................................ 193
Conclusions............................................................................................................ 194
References.............................................................................................................. 195
AbstRAct
The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies is high in children in developing coun-
tries. The majority of them live on a diet high in cereals, tubers, and legumes but low
in animal source foods. Meat and milk are good sources of protein and are likely
to be the only unfortified foods that can provide enough vitamin B
12
, calcium, iron,
and zinc that are essential for optimal growth, health, and cognitive and psychomo-
tor development in children. A number of observational studies in developed and
developing countries have shown associations between a low intake of animal source
foods and low intakes of important nutrients, impaired growth, and health. Positive
associations of the consumption of animal source foods with improved growth, cog-
nitive function, activity, and school performance in young children have been found
183
