Motivation: A variety of factors including food shortage, poor hygiene and low education levels affects the nutritional status of black women. Women also have a high risk for the development of iron deficiency because they lose iron through menstruation, the birth process and a low intake of iron containing foods. All of these factors contribute to an increased risk for the development of iron deficiency anaemia in women. Objectives: The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the association between tea consumption and iron status of African females in the North West Province. To reach this purpose the specific aims were to (1) assess the iron status of women, (2) determine tea intake, and (3) determine the relationship between tea consumption and iron status, taking into account inhibiting and enhancing factors of iron absorption. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of apparently healthy females was taken from five different strata of urbanisation. The subjects were then further divided into two groups, namely younger women (younger than 45.9 years) and older women (older than 46 years). A sample of 920 subjects was used. Data were obtained from dietary, demographic and additional questionnaires, as well as from the taking of blood samples. This study was a sub-study of the THUSA study. Results: A total of 920 subjects participated of which 69.24% were younger women and 30.76% were older women. Due to missing data, the number of subjects for each parameter differed. The mean serum ferritin as well as haemoglobin concentrations were within normal ranges for both groups. The mean dietary iron intake for both groups was below recommendations. No significant correlations were found between serum ferritin or haemoglobin and total tea intake as well as a variety of other dietary factors. The low haemoglobin concentration group of the younger and older women combined had a slightly higher intake of animal protein and ascorbic acid than the high haemoglobin concentration group. On the other hand, the high serum ferritin concentration group had a significantly higher intake of animal protein than the low serum ferritin concentration group. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that tea does not have an inhibitory effect on the iron status of the female population of the North West Province. However, the investigation of other studies conducted on the same topic had mixed results. Two of seven studies investigated and this study indicated that tea had no inhibitory effect on iron absorption. These two studies, as well as this study were not done in a controlled environment where certain factors can be controlled for, for example, time of tea intake and milk consumption with tea. The other five studies were, however, conducted in an environment where subjects were given test meals, time of tea consumption was regulated and milk consumption with tea was recorded. The conclusion can, therefore, be made that further studies on the South African population in a controlled environment are necessary to give accurate recommendations to the population. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The most common form of nutritional deficiency worldwide is iron deficiency, which is associated with sup optimal early brain development. Literature indicates that children with a poor nutritional status during early development of the brain showed poorer cognitive functioning, deficient growth and muscle function. The first purpose of this study was to determine if iron status plays a role in motor competency. A second purpose was to determine if iron status shows an association with motor competency, behavioural characteristics and scholastic success, while a third purpose was to determine if the consumption of different teas will improve iron intake positively and consequently will improve motor development and behaviour. A test- retest research design was used in a randomised parallel study, with one group of children drinking tea and a control group drinking 'rooibos' tea. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) (Henderson & Sugden, 1992) was used to determine the DCD (Developmental co-ordination disorder) status in the group (N = 76). In this group, 45 children were classified as children with DCD. Blood samples were taken to determine the haemoglobin, ferritin and transferrin saturation levels while a 24hr recall dietary questionnaire was used to determine nutritional intakes. Descriptive statistics, t-testing, effect sizes and analysis of co-variance were used to analyse the data. With regards to the first aim of the study, the results which were analysed by means of t-testing, effect sizes and co-variance of analysis indicated that iron deficiency showed significant relationships with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). When corrected for influences other than haemoglobin on gross motor competency manual dexterity, and especially ball skills, showed significant relationships with iron deficiency. These results demonstrate the importance of proper nutrition on motor and cognitive development. With reference to the second aim of the study the assessment of children with DCD by the teachers with regard to their manual dexterity and behavioural characteristics, indicated poorer manual dexterity and more behavioural problems compared to children without DCD. The children in the DCD group was also divided into a group where the MABC-total showed improvement and their haemoglobin levels increased (n=19). This group was then compared with a group of DCD children of which the MABC total decreased and a decrease in haemoglobin was found (n=6). Although the groups were small, the results indicate that manual dexterity skills and mathematics, reading and writing was poorer in the DCD-children whose iron status decreased. No definite association between the different teas and improvement of motor development and behaviour were indicated by the results. Overall, the conclusion can be made that a relationship between iron status and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) among 9-12 year old children exist. However, it is recommended that more studies of this nature should be done on school age children to substantiate the findings of this study. Intervention studies should also be implemented where the children with depleted iron anaemia status should receive iron supplementation. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and calcium deficiency affect millions of children globally. Sprinkles is a multi-micronutrient powder (MNP) that has successfully treated anemic infants and can be modified to include additional micronutrients. The efficacy for treating IDA and preventing calcium deficiency requires evaluation due to potential nutrient interactions. We assessed the efficacy of Sprinkles MNP including iron with and without calcium on hemoglobin (Hb) response in 100 anemic rural Bangladeshi infants for 2 months. Sprinkles MNP with and without calcium resulted in a significantly higher Hb concentrations in both groups (P<0.0001 and P<0.0001). However, infants who received Sprinkles MNP without calcium had a significantly higher change in Hb concentration (P=0.024) and rate of recovery from anemia (P=0.008). No differences in socio-demographic or dietary characteristics were documented between groups. Although both groups had an improvement in Hb status, the antagonistic interaction between iron and calcium requires further study.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and calcium deficiency affect millions of children globally. Sprinkles is a multi-micronutrient powder (MNP) that has successfully treated anemic infants and can be modified to include additional micronutrients. The efficacy for treating IDA and preventing calcium deficiency requires evaluation due to potential nutrient interactions. We assessed the efficacy of Sprinkles MNP including iron with and without calcium on hemoglobin (Hb) response in 100 anemic rural Bangladeshi infants for 2 months. Sprinkles MNP with and without calcium resulted in a significantly higher Hb concentrations in both groups (P<0.0001 and P<0.0001). However, infants who received Sprinkles MNP without calcium had a significantly higher change in Hb concentration (P=0.024) and rate of recovery from anemia (P=0.008). No differences in socio-demographic or dietary characteristics were documented between groups. Although both groups had an improvement in Hb status, the antagonistic interaction between iron and calcium requires further study.

Motivation: A variety of factors including food shortage, poor hygiene and low education levels affects the nutritional status of black women. Women also have a high risk for the development of iron deficiency because they lose iron through menstruation, the birth process and a low intake of iron containing foods. All of these factors contribute to an increased risk for the development of iron deficiency anaemia in women. Objectives: The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the association between tea consumption and iron status of African females in the North West Province. To reach this purpose the specific aims were to (1) assess the iron status of women, (2) determine tea intake, and (3) determine the relationship between tea consumption and iron status, taking into account inhibiting and enhancing factors of iron absorption. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of apparently healthy females was taken from five different strata of urbanisation. The subjects were then further divided into two groups, namely younger women (younger than 45.9 years) and older women (older than 46 years). A sample of 920 subjects was used. Data were obtained from dietary, demographic and additional questionnaires, as well as from the taking of blood samples. This study was a sub-study of the THUSA study. Results: A total of 920 subjects participated of which 69.24% were younger women and 30.76% were older women. Due to missing data, the number of subjects for each parameter differed. The mean serum ferritin as well as haemoglobin concentrations were within normal ranges for both groups. The mean dietary iron intake for both groups was below recommendations. No significant correlations were found between serum ferritin or haemoglobin and total tea intake as well as a variety of other dietary factors. The low haemoglobin concentration group of the younger and older women combined had a slightly higher intake of animal protein and ascorbic acid than the high haemoglobin concentration group. On the other hand, the high serum ferritin concentration group had a significantly higher intake of animal protein than the low serum ferritin concentration group. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that tea does not have an inhibitory effect on the iron status of the female population of the North West Province. However, the investigation of other studies conducted on the same topic had mixed results. Two of seven studies investigated and this study indicated that tea had no inhibitory effect on iron absorption. These two studies, as well as this study were not done in a controlled environment where certain factors can be controlled for, for example, time of tea intake and milk consumption with tea. The other five studies were, however, conducted in an environment where subjects were given test meals, time of tea consumption was regulated and milk consumption with tea was recorded. The conclusion can, therefore, be made that further studies on the South African population in a controlled environment are necessary to give accurate recommendations to the population. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The most common form of nutritional deficiency worldwide is iron deficiency, which is associated with sup optimal early brain development. Literature indicates that children with a poor nutritional status during early development of the brain showed poorer cognitive functioning, deficient growth and muscle function. The first purpose of this study was to determine if iron status plays a role in motor competency. A second purpose was to determine if iron status shows an association with motor competency, behavioural characteristics and scholastic success, while a third purpose was to determine if the consumption of different teas will improve iron intake positively and consequently will improve motor development and behaviour. A test- retest research design was used in a randomised parallel study, with one group of children drinking tea and a control group drinking 'rooibos' tea. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) (Henderson & Sugden, 1992) was used to determine the DCD (Developmental co-ordination disorder) status in the group (N = 76). In this group, 45 children were classified as children with DCD. Blood samples were taken to determine the haemoglobin, ferritin and transferrin saturation levels while a 24hr recall dietary questionnaire was used to determine nutritional intakes. Descriptive statistics, t-testing, effect sizes and analysis of co-variance were used to analyse the data. With regards to the first aim of the study, the results which were analysed by means of t-testing, effect sizes and co-variance of analysis indicated that iron deficiency showed significant relationships with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). When corrected for influences other than haemoglobin on gross motor competency manual dexterity, and especially ball skills, showed significant relationships with iron deficiency. These results demonstrate the importance of proper nutrition on motor and cognitive development. With reference to the second aim of the study the assessment of children with DCD by the teachers with regard to their manual dexterity and behavioural characteristics, indicated poorer manual dexterity and more behavioural problems compared to children without DCD. The children in the DCD group was also divided into a group where the MABC-total showed improvement and their haemoglobin levels increased (n=19). This group was then compared with a group of DCD children of which the MABC total decreased and a decrease in haemoglobin was found (n=6). Although the groups were small, the results indicate that manual dexterity skills and mathematics, reading and writing was poorer in the DCD-children whose iron status decreased. No definite association between the different teas and improvement of motor development and behaviour were indicated by the results. Overall, the conclusion can be made that a relationship between iron status and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) among 9-12 year old children exist. However, it is recommended that more studies of this nature should be done on school age children to substantiate the findings of this study. Intervention studies should also be implemented where the children with depleted iron anaemia status should receive iron supplementation. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Since vitamin D deficiency is common at birth, the objective of this study was to test if postnatal vitamin D supplementation would normalize bone mineralization. Forty guinea pigs were randomized to receive a diet with or without vitamin D3 during pregnancy. Newborn pups were randomized to receive 10 IU of vitamin D3 or a placebo daily until d28. Measurements at birth and d28 included whole body and regional bone mass, osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline, plus biomechanical testing of excised tibias and femurs. Offspring from deficient sows had lower body weight, whole body and tibia bone mineral content (BMC) and lower osteocalcin and biomechanical integrity. By d28 this group had lower whole body bone density and femur BMC, unless supplemented. Interactions with gender showed males continued to have low 25(OH)D despite supplementation. Therefore, neonates born to sows with dietary vitamin D deficiency require supplemental vitamin D to support normal bone mineral accretion.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Public Health, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 148-163.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1998. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.