The Impact of Dietary Intervention on the Cognitive Development of Kenyan School Children

摘要: Previous observational studies in developing countries have suggested that diet quality, particularly increased animal source food (ASF) consumption, is positively associated with child cognitive development. This report presents findings from a study rural Kenya, designed to test the impact of three different diets on development school children. Twelve schools total 555 Standard 1 children (equivalent U.S. Grade 1) were randomized one four feeding interventions: Meat, Milk, Energy or Control (no feeding). Feeding continued for seven terms (21 mo), and tests administered before commencement during every other term feeding. Hierarchical linear random effects models methods used examine treatment group changes performance over time. Analyses revealed receiving supplemental meat significantly outperformed all Raven's Progressive Matrices. Children supplemented meat, energy, arithmetic ability. There no differences verbal comprehension. Results suggest supplementation has positive Kenyan children's performance. However, these are not equivalent across domains functioning, nor did forms foods produce same beneficial effects. Implications programs discussed.