A simplified dietary assessment to identify groups at-risk for dietary vitamin A deficiency

The study aimed 1) to develop a locally adapted SDA (simplified dietary assessment) questionnaire taking into consideration available vitamin A rich foods and portion sizes in the study sites, and 2) to compare the SDA methodology vis-a-vis the long method of dietary vitamin A assessment. Field testing of the SDA questionnaire was carried out among 433 preschoolers belonging to households with or without home gardens in 3 selected municipalities. Vitamin A status of the children was assessed using the SDA and long method of dietary evaluation. Comparison of vitamin A status using SDA vis-a-vis the long method revealed that 85 and 86% of those found to have high risk for vitamin A inadequacy using the SDA actually had <67% vitamin A adequacy using the long method, during the lean and peak periods of home gardening, respectively (significant at a £ 0.01). The SDA also showed high sensitivity in identifying preschool children with high VAD risk with 88-90% positive predictive value, and a high specificity in not classifying as low (96%) or moderate (91%) VAD risk cases those children who did not meet 100% RDA or had vitamin A intake which was either >equals; 100% adequacy or <67% RDA for vitamin A. The SDA method provides a simple and rapid approach to assessment of risk for dietary inadequacy of vitamin A among population groups or individuals. The availability of the SDA empowers the Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and People's Organisations to assess VAD in their areas on a more timely basis and facilitates feedback to mothers of children at-risk through nutrition education and counselling.