Children's consumption of dark green, leafy vegetables with added fat enhances serum retinol

A randomized, double-blind, controlled study was conducted to determine whe ther the consumption of leafy vegetables by preschool children would enhanc e their serum vitamin A concentration to acceptable levels. Preschool child ren (n = 519; 2.5-6 y) in Saboba, northern Ghana, were randomly assigned to five feeding groups, differing essentially in the amount of fat and beta-c arotene, fed once per d, 7 d per wk, for 3 mo. Serum retinol levels, anthro pometric measurements, hemoglobin, rapid turnover proteins (pre-albumin and retinol-binding protein), worm infestation (stool examinations) and level of acute and chronic infection (serum C-reactive protein and acid glycoprot ein) were determined before and after study. Relative to the baseline serum retinol values, consumption of dark green, leafy vegetables (Manihot sp. a nd Ceiba sp.) with fat (10 g/100 g) significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced serum retinol; consequently, the percentage of children with adequate retinol st atus increased from 28.2-48.2% after feeding (P < 0.05). There were no sign ificant differences among groups, ages or pre- versus post-anthropometric m easurements, hemoglobin concentration, or levels of worm infestation. The i mportance of these findings in alleviating and/or controlling vitamin A def iciency in developing countries is discussed.