Impact of beta-carotene supplementation through red palm oil

A 10-month long feeding trial was conducted to assess the impact of beta -c arotene supplementation through red palm oil (RPO) with the focus on vitami n A status, morbidity status and acceptability of an RPO-incorporated noon- meal as a dietary supplement among two cohorts of 409 (experimental) and 34 6 (control) preschool children in two southern districts of rural Tamil Nad u, selected by stratified random sampling. Information was gathered on ocul ar symptoms of vitamin A deficiency and anthropometry, and blood samples we re drawn at baseline and final rounds for estimation of serum beta -caroten e, retinol and tocopherol, Data about Socioeconomic Status (SES) were colle cted once during the study period, while information on attendance, consump tion and morbidity was recorded by preschool teachers. The results showed t he following. 1. Significant improvement in the vitamin A status of children in terms of disappearance of Bitot's spots (50.0 per cent) in the experimental group vs . 28.0 per cent in the control group. 2. After feeding of RPO, incidence rate of new Bitot's spots cases was low at 2.13 in the experimental children vs. 4.78 in control children. 3. Marked improvement in the serum p-carotene levels after 10 months of fee ding. 4. RPO is acceptable to children as an edible grade oil as there is no perc eptible difference in the consumption pattern between experimental and cont rol children.