Protein and Micronutrient Intakes Are Associated with Child Growth and Morbidity from Infancy to Adulthood in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND Interactions between nutrition and infections in developing countries are complex, and analyses of the interrelations require data from longitudinal studies that span several years and a comprehensive framework facilitating the formulation of food and health policies. OBJECTIVE The effects of dietary intakes in the Philippines for birth outcomes, heights, weights, and morbidity during ages 2-24 mo; heights and weights during ages 8-19 y; and completed adult heights were analyzed. METHODS Data on >3000 children from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey were modeled in 4 sets of analyses. Cross-sectional and multilevel models were estimated for length and weight at birth. Dynamic random-effects models were estimated for children's heights, weights, and morbidity levels during ages 2-24 mo. Children's heights and weights during ages 8-19 y were modeled by using random-effects models. Children's heights at age 22 y were modeled for investigating the effects of nutritional intakes in early childhood and in adolescence. RESULTS Maternal anthropometric indicators, energy intakes, and sociodemographic variables were significantly associated with children's length and weight at birth. Dynamic models for children's heights and weights during ages 2-24 mo showed significant effects of calcium and protein intakes; child morbidity levels were significantly associated with height and weight. Higher β-carotene intakes were significantly associated with lower morbidity levels. Analyses of data on children during ages 8-19 y showed significant effects of protein and calcium intakes and of morbidity levels on heights and weights. Models for children's heights at age 22 y indicated significant effects of protein and calcium intakes during early childhood and in adolescence. CONCLUSIONS The results underscored the need for formulating long-term food and health policies for the Philippines that enhance children's physical development and ultimately their adult stature, which is important for physical work capacity and labor productivity.