Invited Perspective: Nutritional Needs and Implications for Children in Subsistence Marketplaces

Today, while the number of stunted children is decreasing in all geographies, the progress is not consistent. Moreover, there is an increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescent. Globally, about half of all children under five do not receive essential nutrients, often unnoticed until too late. On the other end of the spectrum, the incidence of overweight and obesity in 5-19 year old has increased from 4% in 1975 to 18% in 2016 1. These trends reflect a ‘triple burden of malnutrition’, a burden that impacts the survival, growth, and development of children, and in turn, economies, and communities. This is a major risk factor of mortality and negatively impacts physical, cognitive, performance and productivity in the subsistence geographies 2. Low income in subsistence marketplaces is compounded by low literacy rates, which, in turn, affect the decision-making process in food acquisition and nourishing the families (Viswanathan, 2013). Individuals, households, an communities in these markets are often not aware that they even have a need—that children are nutritionally deficient and the problems it can cause later in life. They may not be aware of the nutritional options that are available and affordable, to deal with this deficiency. This paper is intended to highlight nutritional concerns of subsistence marketplaces, discuss a few case studies with successful interventions, and provide suggestions for research and practice

Diester Chlorogenoborate Complex: A New Naturally Occurring Boron-Containing Compound

The natural compounds of boron have many applications, primarily as a dietary supplement. The research is based on the discovery that the diester chlorogenoborate complex can be detected and quantified from green coffee beans. The study reports that such a diester molecule can also be synthesized in a stable form via the direct reaction of boric acid and chlorogenic acid in a mixture of acetonitrile–water (1:1, v/v) and left to evaporate over a period of 48 h at room temperature, resulting in a spirocyclic form (diester complex). The diester complex, with its molecular structure and digestibility attributes, has potential application as a prebiotic in gut health and oral health, and as a micronutrient essential for microbiota in humans and animals.</jats:p