Toto Sudargo

The effect of additional egg supplementation on vitamin and mineral fortification program on growth, cognitive development and hemoglobin in Indonesian underweight and stunting children

Purpose Stunting and being underweight in children are major nutritional problems especially in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of egg supplementation on a vitamin and mineral fortification program for growth, cognitive development and hemoglobin in underweight and stunted children. Design/methodology/approach This was an experimental study using a crossover design conducted in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia. A total of 39 subjects were randomly selected from two community health centers and provided with two types of intervention: vitamin and mineral fortification sprinkle (Taburia) and Taburia with egg supplementation (Taburia PLUS). Each intervention was conducted for three months with one-month of washout period in between interventions. Findings There were no changes in weight-for-age Z-score in Taburia and Taburia PLUS (all p > 0.05). The height-for-age Z-score was increased in Taburia PLUS (p = 0.022) but not in Taburia (p > 0.05). Hemoglobin level was significantly increased in Taburia (p = 0.039) but not in Taburia PLUS (p > 0.05). There were no significant changes in visual motoric score in Taburia, but there were slight increases in Taburia PLUS (all p > 0.05). Originality/value The authors concluded that egg supplementation combined with multivitamins and minerals fortification program, Taburia PLUS, is beneficial to improve linear growth but not hemoglobin in stunted and underweight children.

Physical activity is associated with lower blood glucose level in high school teachers in Palu, Indonesia

Physical activity refers to the body movements produced by skeletal muscles that generate energy above the resting level. Physical activity is commonly done repeatedly over a long period of time which is essential for maintaining physical and mental health, as well as quality of life to stay healthy and fit throughout the day. Engaging in exercise program indeed has been recommended as a costrategy to prevent various chronic diseases. A prospective study indicated that various types of physical activity may prevent diabetes. It was stated that physical activity equal to 20 MET-hours/week may reduce the risk of diabetes by 15%. Thus, doing physical activity in spare time may prevent and delay the progression of pre-diabetes to diabetes mellitus (DM). Exercises promotes reduction in blood glucose concentration through increased glucose uptake by body tissues. Meanwhile, in overweight or obese individuals, lack in exercise will result in increased level of blood sugar. High blood lipid which was often experienced by ABSTRACT