Scoping review of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment studies in Khmer populations living in Cambodia. Issue 6 (16th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Windus, Janelle L.; Burrows, Tracy L.; Duncanson, Kerith; Collins, Clare E.; Rollo, Megan E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of human nutrition and dietetics. Volume 34:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 953
• Page End: 968
• Publication Date: 2021-08-16
• Subjects: Cambodia -- dietary assessment -- Khmer -- nutrition intervention -- nutrition status -- review; Dietetics -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12932
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-3871

Abstract

Abstract: Background: This scoping review aims to describe the body of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment research undertaken with Khmer populations in Cambodia, as well as summarise the nutrition knowledge base and highlight priority areas for future research. Methods: Five databases and the grey literature were searched, following PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Studies involving dietary assessment or nutrition interventions published after 1992 were identified using specific search terms and extracted to a customised data extraction table for categorisation and analysis. Study participants were Khmer people of any age and gender, living in rural or urban Cambodia. Results: Of the 100 included studies, 58 were dietary assessment only studies, 24 were nutrition interventions only, and 18 studies involved both assessment of intake and an intervention. Sixty‐eight percent of study populations were mothers and young children, of which 52 studies focused on children aged under 5 years. Nineteen interventions involved supplementation and six trialled fortification of rice or fish sauce. Anaemia was the most common nutrition condition studied ( n = 17), followed by malnutrition ( n = 15) and malnutrition risk factors ( n = 11). General nutrition status was explored in 25 studies, and individual micronutrients that were studied included iron ( n = 27), zinc ( n = 6), vitamin A ( n = 4) and thiamine ( n = 3). Conclusions: Diet‐related research in Khmer populations in Cambodia has predominantly focused on dietary assessment or evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing malnutrition and resolving micronutrient deficiencies. Areas identified as emerging needs included non‐communicable diseases, the ageing population and non‐iron deficiency anaemia. Abstract : Scoping review of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment studies in Khmer populations living in Cambodia. Highlights: Previous research involving nutrition interventions and/or dietary assessment research among Khmer populations living in Cambodia has largely focused on malnutrition and anaemia. Populations studied have been predominantly maternal and young children, addressing Sustainable Development Goals. Supplementation and fortification interventions are prominent. Wide variety of study outcomes involving dietary assessment, e.g., health behaviours, food security, intervention effectiveness and oral health, across different population groups.