Project
Biofortified cassava with provitamin A to improve vitamin A status (CASSAVITA II)
Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava worldwide and in some areas adults consume 950 g of cassava (raw fresh weight) per day on average. In comparison to East Africa, preparation methods of cassava based foods are different, which might affect the content and bioavailability of its pro-vitamin A.
Therefore, we conducted a second randomized controlled trial (following CASSAVITA I, conducted in Kenya previously) to study the efficacy of yellow cassava, this time among preschool children in Nigeria. Preschool children are more vulnerable to vitamin A deficiency than older children and therefore form an important target group for this strategy.
Key publications
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Daily consumption of pro-vitamin A biofortified (yellow) cassava improves serum retinol concentrations in preschool children in Nigeria : A randomized controlled trial
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2021), Volume: 113, Issue: 1 - ISSN 0002-9165 - p. 221-231. -
The Contribution of Pro-Vitamin A Biofortified Cassava to Vitamin A Intake in Nigerian Pre-school Children
British Journal of Nutrition (2021), Volume: 126, Issue: 9 - ISSN 0007-1145 - p. 1364-1372. -
Assessment of small-intestine permeability in healthy Nigerian children is altered by urinary volume and voiding status
PLoS ONE (2021), Volume: 16, Issue: 9 September - ISSN 1932-6203
Preceding study in Kenya (CASSAVITA I), 2008-2013
More research: International maternal and child nutrition