Article

Factors affecting the micronutrient status of adolescent girls living in complex agro-aquatic ecological zones of Bangladesh

Details

Citation

Ara G, Little DC, Mamun A, De Roos B, Grieve E, Khanam M, Hasan SMT, Ireen S, Dilruba S, Bushra Boitchi A, Dijkhuizen MA, Ahmed T & Roos N (2023) Factors affecting the micronutrient status of adolescent girls living in complex agro-aquatic ecological zones of Bangladesh. Scientific Reports, 13, Art. No.: 6631. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33636-8

Abstract
Inadequate intake of both macro and micronutrients is the major determinant of micronutrient deficiencies in adolescent girls. This study assessed multiple micronutrient status including vitamin D, iron, vitamin A, and urinary iodine concentration among adolescent girls through two seasonal cross-sectional surveys conducted during dry and wet seasons. Mixed-effects linear and logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess associations between micronutrient status, salinity and seasonality. The mean age of the girls was 14 years. Vitamin (OH)D insufficiency was significantly higher in freshwater areas in wet season compared to dry season (wet season: 58% and dry season: 30%, P < 0.001). In wet season, risk of vitamin (OH)D insufficiency was three times higher compared to dry season (AOR: 3.03, 95% CI 1.71, 5.37, P < 0.001). The odds of vitamin (OH)D insufficiency was 11 times higher in fresh water areas compared to high saline areas (AOR: 11.51, 95% CI 3.40, 38.93, P < 0.001). The girls had higher risk of iron deficiency in wet season. Despite the environment being enriched with micronutrient-contained aquatic food, adolescent girls in coastal areas experience different micronutrient deficiencies. The high prevalence of vitamin (OH)D insufficiency in freshwater locations and seasonal iron deficiency in high saline areas needs attention.

Keywords
Nutrition; Public Health

Journal
Scientific Reports: Volume 13

StatusPublished
FundersInnovative Methods and Metrics for Agriculture and Nutrition Actions (IMMANA)
Publication date31/12/2023
Publication date online24/04/2023
Date accepted by journal16/04/2023
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/35212
eISSN2045-2322

People (1)

Professor Dave Little

Professor Dave Little

Professor, Institute of Aquaculture