Impact of animal source foods on growth, morbidity and iron bioavailability in Kenyan school children

Micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in children in developing countries with an increased risk of morbidity, mortality, and poor psychomotor development. In this PhD thesis the impact of meat and milk provided with a local dish over 2 years to rural Kenyan school children on a number of outcomes was examined. It was shown that the provision of any food supplement was beneficial for weight gain and that the meat supplement increased muscle mass. The milk supplement seemed to be beneficial for height gain in those children who were more growth retarded. A diet containing energy and micronutrients that are provided in high amounts in animal source foods was found to be beneficial for growth. The absorption of iron from the habitual diet of the children is low due to food components that inhibit absorption. If some meat and ascorbic acid contained in fruits is added to the children¿s diet, their iron nutrition could be improved