[Observation on effectiveness of fortified flour on nutrition status improvement of poor area women in Weichang County of Hebei Province in China]

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effectiveness of fortified flour on nutrition status improvement of poor area women in Hebei Province.

Methods: Nutrition status and dietary patterns were surveyed on 611 poor rural women in Weichang county of Hebei province for three years.

Results: Nutrient intakes of intervention group supplied with fortified flour with VA, VB1, VB2, folic acid, niacin, iron and zinc has significantly increased and its levels have achieved the Chinese DRIs after the intervension women consumed the fortified flour. The blood measurement showed that IDA prevalence of women decreased and the iron status has been improved. Serum zinc, folic acid and VA levels have significantly increased from the first to the third year after consuming the fortified flour. Fortified flour is significantly effective in improving the nutrition status in the micronutrient-deficiency women of intervention group. The nutrition status of the control group in the trial areas didn't change with the economic development.

Conclusion: It is effective and feasible way to improve the nutrition status through consuming the fortified flour on poor areas women in northern China.