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www.unsystem.org/scn PROGRAMME NEWS 61New WHO Growth Reference data for children and adolescents 5-19 yearsWHO has recently published growth reference data for children and adolescents, 5-19 years (or 61-228 months). TheWHO Reference 2007 is a reconstruction of the 1977 National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)/WHO reference. Ituses the original NCHS data set supplemented with data from the WHO child growth standards sample for under-fives.The same statistical methodology was used as in the construction of the WHO standards. This reference complementsthe WHO child growth standards for 0-60 months published in April 2006. www.who.int/growthrefReference charts and tables by indicator:WHOBMI-for-age (5-19 years) (online); Height-for-age (5-19 years) (online); Weight-for-age (5-10 years) (online)HIV and Nutrition ConsultationWHOCountries from the South-East Asian Region, together with scientists, researchers programmers, decision makers, UNagencies, civil society groups, organizations of people living with HIV/AIDS, donors and bi-laterals, gathered inBangkok, 8-11 October 2007, to find workable strategies for incorporating nutrition into national HIV prevention, careand treatment programmes in the South-East Asian Region. They reviewed the evidence, identified challenges,listened to experiences from the field and defined clear-cut next steps for change.This Regional Consultation on Nutrition and HIV: Evidence, Lessons and Recommendations for Action in South-EastAsia, was organized by the World Health Organization, in collaboration with UNICEF, WFP, FAO, UNAIDS, UNHCR,IAEA and the US National Institutes of Health, in direct response to its commitment to the World Health Assemblyresolutions 59.11 and 57.14 where Member States are requested to make Nutrition an integral part of their responseto the HIV/AIDS. This Consultation built on the experience of the Durban Consultation in 2005 for Southern Africa.The South East Asian Region is home to nearly 4 million of the approximately 40 million people living with HIV/AIDSworldwide in 2006. At the same time, 79% of the world's malnourished children come from this Region and severalcountries report over 40% stunting, indicating persistent chronic malnutrition. This Region, with its large and rapidlygrowing populations, widespread malnutrition and burden of infectious and chronic disease, is particularly vulnerableto the HIV epidemic. In response to these issues the Participants agreed that:1. Stronger advocacy and visibility was needed at the global and country level for incorporating nutrition into HIV/AIDSprogrammes.2 Region specific data on the nutritional status of PLWHA should be developed by countries which should serve as anadvocacy tool for policy.3. International agencies should allocate part of the budget (a 5% figure was suggested) for nutrition support and carefor HIV in countries. Resources should be allocated to fill the gaps.4. A coordinated plan of action for nutrition and HIV should be developed by countries avoiding duplication of efforts.The full range of interventions should be used to meet the macro and micronutrient requirements including nutritioncounselling.5. Countries should develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.6. A Participants’ Statement emerged from the participants which outlined the key recommendations and actions for allstakeholders to take responsibility for and act effectively and urgently to meet the collective goals.For more information, please contact Randa Saadeh, Scientist, Dept of Nutrition for Health and Development,saadehr@who.int, or Sharad Agarwal Communications Officer, Dept of Nutrition for Health and Development,agarwals@who.int or visit the HIV and Nutrition Consultation websiteWHO Scientific Update on Trans Fatty Acids (TFA) WHOWHO undertook a Scientific Update on Trans Fatty Acids (TFA) as part of the implementation of the Global Strategy onDiet, Physical Activity and Health. The Scientific Update reviewed the health effects of TFA from both epidemiologicaland experimental perspectives, as well as the feasibility of alternative replacements. The expert group met in Genevafrom 29 to 30 October 2007 and reviewed scientific background papers prepared and further agreed to prepare six scientificreview papers. These include: 1) General historical background of the work related to TFA and the Global Strategy;2) Health effects of TFA: Experimental and observational evidence: 3) Quantitative effects on cardiovascular riskfactors and coronary heart disease risk of replacing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils with other fats and oils; 4) Feasibilityof recommending certain replacement or alternative fats; 5) Assessing approaches to removing TFA in the foodsupply in industrialized countries and in developing countries; and 6) Summary and conclusions of the Scientific Update.Final papers will be published as a supplement of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition by end-January 2008.back to contents SCN NEWS # 35