Englberger Lois, Fitzgerald Maureen H, Marks Geoff C
Nutrition Program, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2003;12(1):38-44.
Commonly recommended plant sources of provitamin A, such as dark green leafy vegetables, are not acceptable in many population groups. The objective of this study was to identify other indigenous foods that may be effectively promoted to alleviate vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and to gather information relevant to identification, production, acquisition, and consumption of foods relevant to a food-based VAD prevention strategy in the Federated States of Micronesia. An ethnographic study on edible pandanus cultivars, involving key informant interviews and observation was carried out. Analyses revealed a great range in carotenoid content. Several orange-coloured pandanus cultivars, all highly acceptable, contained high levels of carotenoid, almost meeting daily requirements in usual consumption patterns, whereas light yellow-coloured cultivars contained low levels. Availability has decreased substantially in recent years due to increased consumption of imported foods and general neglect of indigenous foods. High-carotenoid pandanus should be promoted for general enjoyment and health benefits.
常见的维生素A原推荐植物来源，如深绿色叶菜，在许多人群中并不被接受。本研究的目的是确定其他可有效推广以缓解维生素A缺乏症（VAD）的本土食物，并收集与密克罗尼西亚联邦基于食物的VAD预防策略相关的食物识别、生产、获取和消费信息。开展了一项关于可食用露兜树品种的人种志研究，包括关键 informant访谈和观察。分析显示类胡萝卜素含量差异很大。几个橙色的露兜树品种都非常受欢迎，含有高水平的类胡萝卜素，按通常的消费模式几乎能满足每日需求，而浅黄色品种含量较低。近年来，由于进口食品消费增加和对本土食物的普遍忽视，可获取性大幅下降。应推广高类胡萝卜素的露兜树，以促进大众享用并带来健康益处。
