Dietary Micronutrients Are Associated with Higher Cognitive Function Gains Among Primary School Children in Rural Kenya

Summary

Published Date: September 01, 2008

With the exception of iodine and Fe, there is still very limited information on the effect of micronutrients on cognitive function, especially among school-age children. The present analysis evaluates the relationship between dietary Fe, Zn and B vitamins (B12, B6, folate and riboflavin) and gains in cognitive test scores among school children in rural Kenya. Data for the present study were obtained from The Child Nutrition Kenya Project, a two-year longitudinal, randomized controlled feeding intervention study using animal source foods. This analysis demonstrates the influence of improved dietary micronutrient status on school children's cognitive function.