Ready-to-use therapeutic food for prevention of childhood undernutrition
Kristy M Hendricks
This review published in Nutrition Reviews looked at the use of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food RUTF for the prevention of undernutrition. The author stated that while research supports the use of RUTF for treating severe acute malnutrition and for nutrition rehabilitation, the use of RUTF for prevention of undernutrition is controversial
Hendricks concluded that the following critical questions remain regarding RUTF:
- Who should receive a specific nutrition intervention?
- What form should that intervention take?
- And when should it be delivered?
However, age, degree of undernutrition, and the prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition in the population all impact the type, composition, and delivery of an effective nutrition intervention.
Go to Nutrition Reviews website for findings regarding the above questions