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Prof. Dr. Hans K. Biesalski

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Professor of nutritional medicine, Institute of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
Interests: micronutrients; cognition; dietary pattern; vitamins; minerals; childhood development

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diet within the 1000 day window has an important impact on child physical and cognitive development. During the first weeks of life after conception epigenetic programming is influenced by an adequate micronutrient supply, which in case of inadequacy may have an impact on the risk of later life non-communicable diseases. Growth and organ development during the fetal period is influenced by energy and micronutrient supply. Inadequate energy due to malnutrition or placental insufficiency results in intra-uterine-growth-restriction (IUGR). IUGR however increases the child’s risk of obesity and hypertension. In addition, inadequate supply of different micronutrients (e.g. Vitamin A, D, Iron, Zinc, Iodine) impairs neural and cognitive development. In particular the hippocampus and other areas of the limbic system are affected. As a result, children living in food insecurity have more speech disorders and literacy problems, functions which are located in the hippocampus. Poor nutrition is not only restricted to low income countries. In Germany and in the US and other rich countries, 20% of children living in poverty and are victims of nutrition-poverty, with severe consequences for their later life. Finally, self-selected diets e.g. strong vegan diets compromise the development during pregnancy and later development of children.

Prof. Dr. Hans K. Biesalski
Guest Editors

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Keywords

1000 day window
Epigenetic
Micronutrients
Hippocampus
Stunting
Vitamins
Minerals
Deficiency

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2004 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Winning Weaning Food (WWF): The Development of a Complementary Food for Food-Insecure Infants and Young Children in Malawi

by Rufus J. Theophilus, Markus Miller, Wilna H. Oldewage-Theron and John Dawson

Nutrients 2019, 11(10), 2292; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102292 - 25 Sep 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4486

Abstract

Growing evidence exists for the benefits of adequate infant and young children feeding (IYCF) practices at the weaning stage (≥ 6 months), including optimal growth, building the immune system, cognitive development, healthy food preferences, and reduced mortality and morbidity rates. However, these outcomes are not universally experienced. To ensure that a developing country such as Malawi, where recent studies have shown high rates of food insecurity and malnutrition benefits from adequate IYCF, five nutrient-dense complementary foods (Recipes 1 to 5) were developed. Standardized food processing techniques were used in the preparation and combination of Malawian indigenous food samples. The developed food recipes were assessed for nutrient density and cultural acceptability through sensory evaluations. Recipe 5 emerged as the winning weaning food (WWF), with an overall acceptability rate of 65% (mean score of 5.82 ± 0.87). Unlike theoretical analysis with the ESHA Food Processor, statistical analysis did not show that Recipe 5 met the Codex Alimentarius recommendations for macro- and micronutrients. However, it showed that the micronutrient recommendations for iron (p = 0.0001; 95%CI) and zinc (p = 1.00; 95%CI) were partially met, but not those for calcium and vitamins A and D. The prototype and outcome of this pilot study will be invaluable for interventions aimed at combating food insecurity and malnutrition in Malawi. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Diet and the Impact on Physical and Cognitive Development)

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11 pages, 251 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Amount, Preparation and Type of Formula Consumed and Its Association with Weight Gain in Infants Participating in the WIC Program in Hawaii and Puerto Rico

by Rafael E. Graulau, Jinan Banna, Maribel Campos, Cheryl L. K. Gibby and Cristina Palacios

Nutrients 2019, 11(3), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11030695 - 24 Mar 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4745

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the association between amount (below or above recommendations), preparation (liquid vs. powder), and type (regular vs. hydrolysate) of infant formula consumed and weight in infants participating in the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program in Hawaii (HI) and Puerto Rico (PR). This was a secondary analysis of 162 caregivers with healthy term 0–2-month-old infants. Socio-demographics, infant food frequency questionnaires, and weight and length were assessed at baseline and after four months. Infant feeding practices were associated with weight-for-length z-scores using multivariable logistic regression. In total, 37.7% were exclusively breastfed and 27.2% were exclusively formula-fed. Among formula users, regular (63.6%) and powder (87.0%) formula were the most common; 43.2% consumed formula above recommendations. Most infants had rapid weight gain (61.1%). Infants fed regular formula had higher odds of overweight after four months (adjusted OR = 8.77, 95% CI: 1.81–42.6) and higher odds of rapid weight gain (adjusted OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.12, 8.61). Those exclusively formula fed had higher odds of slow weight gain (adjusted OR = 4.07, 95% CI: 1.17–14.2). Formula preparation and amount of formula were not associated with weight. These results could inform the WIC program’s nutrition education messages on infant feeding. Studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Diet and the Impact on Physical and Cognitive Development)

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