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Iron for Africa-Report of an Expert Workshop.

  • Mwangi MN Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6700 AA, The Netherlands. mart.mwangi@gmail.com.
  • Phiri KS Public Health Department, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Private Bag 360, Blantyre 8, Malawi. kamijaphiri@gmail.co.
  • Abkari A Hassan II University, Faculty of medicine, CHU Ibn Rochd, Casablanca, Morocco. abkari60@gmail.com.
  • Gbané M National Public Health Institute (INSP) and Nutrition Society of Côte d'Ivoire (SIN), Adjamé BPV 47, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire. morydoc@gmail.com.
  • Bourdet-Sicard R Danone Nutricia Research, route de la Vauve, Palaiseau 91120, France. Raphaelle.BOURDET-SICARD@danone.com.
  • Braesco VA VAB-nutrition, rue Claude Danziger, Clermont-Ferrand 63100, France. veronique.braesco@vab-nutrition.com.
  • Zimmermann MB Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Schmelzbergstrasse, Zurich 78092, Switzerland. michael.zimmermann@hest.ethz.ch.
  • Prentice AM MRC Unit The Gambia, Atlantic Road, Fajara, The Gambia & MRC International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, UK. Andrew.Prentice@lshtm.ac.uk.
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  • 2017-06-08
Published in:
  • Nutrients. - 2017
anemia
benefit-risk ratio
biomarkers
fortification
iron deficiency
malaria
Adolescent
Adult
Africa
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
Child, Preschool
Dietary Supplements
Female
Food, Fortified
Humans
Iron
Micronutrients
Middle Aged
Pregnancy
Prevalence
Young Adult
English Scientific experts from nine countries gathered to share their views and experience around iron interventions in Africa. Inappropriate eating habits, infections and parasitism are responsible for significant prevalence of iron deficiency, but reliable and country-comparable prevalence estimates are lacking: improvements in biomarkers and cut-offs values adapted to context of use are needed. Benefits of iron interventions on growth and development are indisputable and outweigh risks, which exist in populations with a high infectious burden. Indeed, pathogen growth may increase with enhanced available iron, calling for caution and preventive measures where malaria or other infections are prevalent. Most African countries programmatically fortify flour and supplement pregnant women, while iron deficiency in young children is rather addressed at individual level. Coverage and efficacy could improve through increased access for target populations, raised awareness and lower cost. More bioavailable iron forms, helping to decrease iron dose, or prebiotics, which both may lower risk of infections are attractive opportunities for Africa. Fortifying specific food products could be a relevant route, adapted to local context and needs of population groups while providing education and training. More globally, partnerships involving various stakeholders are encouraged, that could tackle all aspects of the issue.
Language
  • English
Open access status
gold
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Persistent URL
https://sonar.ch/global/documents/265888
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