Professor Rosalind Gibson
Rosalind Gibson's research involves studies on the aetiology and functional health consequences of mild iron and zinc deficiency in "high risk" population groups (e.g. pregnant women and menstruating women, infants, preschool children and vegetarians). A second research focus is the development of food-based strategies to enhance the content and bioavailability of micronutrients in predominantly plant-based diets consumed in developing countries, and the impact of these dietary interventions on subsequent growth, health, and cognitive development.
These research activities are currently undertaken in Southern Ethiopia with Hawassa University, Awassa, Ethiopia (Dr Y Abebe, Dean of Agriculture), University of Colorado, Denver (Professors KM Hambidge and N Krebs), and Oklahoma State University (Professor B Stoecker); in Cambodia with Dr Susan Jack (PhD student Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago) and Dr Ou Kevanna, Program Manager, National Nutrition Program, Micronutrients Technical Working Group, National Institute of Public Health; in Brazil with Rebecca Landers (PhD student Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago), and in collaboration with Dr. Hugo da Costa Ribeiro Jr MD, PhD, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Complexo Hospitalar Universitario Prof. Edgard Santos, and Director of the Fima Lifshitz Research Center, Salvador, Bahia, NE Brazil; and in Zambia with University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia (Dr L Lusonga), and Professors S Filteau and A Tomkins, University of London.
Present Research
With Rebeccca Landers and Dr. Hugo da Costa Ribeiro Jr MD, PhD, Universidade Federal da Bahia. Fortifying day-care meals to combat anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in preschool children from Salvador, NE Brazil.
With Dr Y Abeba (Hawassa University), Profs Michael K Hambidge, Nancy Krebs (University of Colorado,USA), Prof B Stoecker (Oklahoma State University). Is zinc a limiting micronutrient in the diets of weanlings from subsistence households in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia? Funded by a University of Otago Research Grant.
With Dr Y Abeba (Hawassa University), Profs Michael K Hambidge, Nancy Krebs (University of Colorado,USA) and Prof B Stoecker (Oklahoma State University, USA) Brain Disorders in the Developing World: Research across the lifespan. Funded by U.S Forgarty International Program, US National Institutes of Health.
With B Amadi, M Sinkala, R Zulu, F Kaslol, E Kawembe (University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia), Prof S Filteau, Drs S Jaffar, U Gompels, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Prof A Tomkins, Center for International Child Health, University of London. Modification of complementary foods to improve micronutrient status of Zambian infants. Funded by the Gates Foundation.
With Dr Susan Jack and Dr Ou Kevanna. Combating anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among young children in rural Cambodia through in-home fortification and nutrition education. Funded by A2Z (USAID Global Micronutrient Program, core funds); World Bank (Health Sector Support Project, Cambodia); World Health Organization (Cambodia).
Recent Publications
Poor dietary quality of complementary foods is associated with multiple micronutrient deficiencies during early childhood in Mongolia. Lander R, Enkhjargal TS, Batjargal J, Bolormaa N, Enkhmyagmar D, Tserendolgor U, Tungalag S, Bailey K, Gibson RS. Public Health Nutr. 2010 Sep;13(9):1304-13.
Influence of an iron intervention on the zinc status of young adult New Zealand women with mild iron deficiency. Prosser NR, Heath AL, Williams SM, Gibson RS.Br J Nutr. 2010 Sep;104(5):742-50.
A review of phytate, iron, zinc, and calcium concentrations in plant-based complementary foods used in low-income countries and implications for bioavailability. Gibson RS, Bailey KB, Gibbs M, Ferguson EL. Food Nutr Bull. 2010 Jun;31(2 Suppl):S134-46.
Inadequate feeding practices and impaired growth among children from subsistence farming households in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia. Gibson RS, Abebe Y, Hambidge KM, Arbide I, Teshome A, Stoecker BJ. Matern Child Nutr. 2009 Jul;5(3):260-75. E
Food-based strategies improve iron status in toddlers: a randomized controlled trial12. Szymlek-Gay EA, Ferguson EL, Heath AL, Gray AR, Gibson RS. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Dec;90(6):1541-51.
Zinc status and cognitive function of pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia. Stoecker BJ, Abebe Y, Hubbs-Tait L, Kennedy TS, Gibson RS, Arbide I, Teshome A, Westcott J, Krebs NF, Hambidge KM. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jul;63(7):916-8.
Galvanizing action: conclusions and next steps for mainstreaming zinc interventions in public health programs. Brown KH, Baker SK; IZiNCG Steering Committee. Food Nutr Bull. 2009 Mar;30(1 Suppl):S179-84. Review.
A review of interventions based on dietary diversification or modification strategies with the potential to enhance intakes of total and absorbable zinc. Gibson RS, Anderson VP. Food Nutr Bull. 2009 Mar;30(1 Suppl):S108-43. Review.
Setting priorities for zinc-related health research to reduce children's disease burden worldwide: an application of the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative's research priority-setting method. Brown KH, Hess SY, Boy E, Gibson RS, Horton S, Osendarp SJ, Sempertegui F, Shrimpton R, Rudan I. Public Health Nutr. 2009 Mar;12(3):389-96.
Multiple micronutrient deficiencies persist during early childhood in Mongolia. Lander RL, Enkhjargal T, Batjargal J, Bailey KB, Diouf S, Green TJ, Skeaff CM, Gibson RS. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(3):429-40.
Indicators of zinc status at the population level: a review of the evidence. Gibson RS, Hess SY, Hotz C, Brown KH. Br J Nutr. 2008 Jun;99 Suppl 3:S14-23. Review.
A micronutrient-fortified seasoning powder reduces morbidity and improves short-term cognitive function, but has no effect on anthropometric measures in primary school children in northeast Thailand: a randomized controlled trial. Manger MS, McKenzie JE, Winichagoon P, Gray A, Chavasit V, Pongcharoen T, Gowachirapant S, Ryan B, Wasantwisut E, Gibson RS. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;87(6):1715-22.
Co-existing micronutrient deficiencies among stunted Cambodian infants and toddlers. Anderson VP, Jack S, Monchy D, Hem N, Hok P, Bailey KB, Gibson RS. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(1):72-9.
Intakes from non-breastmilk foods for stunted toddlers living in poor urban villages of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, are inadequate. Anderson VP, Cornwall J, Jack S, Gibson RS. Matern Child Nutr. 2008 Apr;4(2):146-59.
Inadequate intakes of dietary zinc among pregnant women from subsistence households in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia. Abebe Y, Bogale A, Hambidge KM, Stoecker BJ, Arbide I, Teshome A, Krebs NF, Westcott JE, Bailey KB, Gibson RS. Public Health Nutr. 2008 Apr;11(4):379-86.
Zinc, gravida, infection, and iron, but not vitamin B-12 or folate status, predict hemoglobin during pregnancy in Southern Ethiopia. Gibson RS, Abebe Y, Stabler S, Allen RH, Westcott JE, Stoecker BJ, Krebs NF, Hambidge KM. J Nutr. 2008 Mar;138(3):581-6.
Important Past Publications
Traditional food-processing and preparation practices to enhance the bioavailability of micronutrients in plant-based diets. Hotz C, Gibson RS. J Nutr. 2007 Apr;137(4):1097-100. Review.
Does zinc deficiency play a role in stunting among primary school children in NE Thailand? Gibson RS, Manger MS, Krittaphol W, Pongcharoen T, Gowachirapant S, Bailey KB, Winichagoon P. Br J Nutr. 2007 Jan;97(1):167-75.
Zinc absorption during late pregnancy in rural southern Ethiopia. Hambidge KM, Abebe Y, Gibson RS, Westcott JE, Miller LV, Lei S, Stoecker BJ, Arbide I, Teshome A, Bailey KB, Krebs NF. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Nov;84(5):1102-6.
Major variables of zinc homeostasis in Chinese toddlers. Sheng XY, Hambidge KM, Zhu XX, Ni JX, Bailey KB, Gibson RS, Krebs NF. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Aug;84(2):389-94.
A multimicronutrient-fortified seasoning powder enhances the hemoglobin, zinc, and iodine status of primary school children in North East Thailand: a randomized controlled trial of efficacy. Winichagoon P, McKenzie JE, Chavasit V, Pongcharoen T, Gowachirapant S, Boonpraderm A, Manger MS, Bailey KB, Wasantwisut E, Gibson RS. J Nutr. 2006 Jun;136(6):1617-23.
Improving the bioavailability of nutrients in plant foods at the household level. Gibson RS, Perlas L, Hotz C. Proc Nutr Soc. 2006 May;65(2):160-8. Review.
Zinc: the missing link in combating micronutrient malnutrition in developing countries. Gibson RS. Proc Nutr Soc. 2006 Feb;65(1):51-60.
Household dietary strategies to enhance the content and bioavailability of iron, zinc and calcium of selected rice- and maize-based Philippine complementary foods. Perlas LA, Gibson RS. Matern Child Nutr. 2005 Oct;1(4):263-73.
Participatory nutrition education and adoption of new feeding practices are associated with improved adequacy of complementary diets among rural Malawian children: a pilot study. Hotz C, Gibson RS. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005 Feb;59(2):226-37.
Design and quality control issues related to dietary assessment, randomized clinical trials and meta-analysis of field-based studies in developing countries. Gibson RS, Sazawal S, Peerson JM. J Nutr. 2003 May;133(5 Suppl 1):1569S-73S. Review.
Zinc homeostasis in Malawian children consuming a high-phytate, maize-based diet. Manary MJ, Hotz C, Krebs NF, Gibson RS, Westcott JE, Broadhead RL, Hambidge KM. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Jun;75(6):1057-61.
A home-based method to reduce phytate content and increase zinc bioavailability in maize-based complementary diets. Hotz C, Gibson RS, Temple L. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2001 Mar;52(2):133-42.
The impact of malarial infection and diet on the anaemia status of rural pregnant Malawian women. Huddle JM, Gibson RS, Cullinan TR. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1999 Oct;53(10):792-801.
Complementary foods for infant feeding in developing countries: their nutrient adequacy and improvement. Gibson RS, Ferguson EL, Lehrfeld J. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998 Oct;52(10):764-70.
Nutrition intervention strategies to combat zinc deficiency in developing countries. Gibson RS, Ferguson EL. Nutr Res Rev. 1998 Jun;11(1):115-31.
Postpartum folic acid supplementation of adolescents: impact on maternal folate and zinc status and milk composition. Keizer SE, Gibson RS, O'Connor DL. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Aug;62(2):377-84.
These research activities are currently undertaken in Southern Ethiopia with Hawassa University, Awassa, Ethiopia (Dr Y Abebe, Dean of Agriculture), University of Colorado, Denver (Professors KM Hambidge and N Krebs), and Oklahoma State University (Professor B Stoecker); in Cambodia with Dr Susan Jack (PhD student Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago) and Dr Ou Kevanna, Program Manager, National Nutrition Program, Micronutrients Technical Working Group, National Institute of Public Health; in Brazil with Rebecca Landers (PhD student Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago), and in collaboration with Dr. Hugo da Costa Ribeiro Jr MD, PhD, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Complexo Hospitalar Universitario Prof. Edgard Santos, and Director of the Fima Lifshitz Research Center, Salvador, Bahia, NE Brazil; and in Zambia with University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia (Dr L Lusonga), and Professors S Filteau and A Tomkins, University of London.
Present Research
With Rebeccca Landers and Dr. Hugo da Costa Ribeiro Jr MD, PhD, Universidade Federal da Bahia. Fortifying day-care meals to combat anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in preschool children from Salvador, NE Brazil.
With Dr Y Abeba (Hawassa University), Profs Michael K Hambidge, Nancy Krebs (University of Colorado,USA), Prof B Stoecker (Oklahoma State University). Is zinc a limiting micronutrient in the diets of weanlings from subsistence households in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia? Funded by a University of Otago Research Grant.
With Dr Y Abeba (Hawassa University), Profs Michael K Hambidge, Nancy Krebs (University of Colorado,USA) and Prof B Stoecker (Oklahoma State University, USA) Brain Disorders in the Developing World: Research across the lifespan. Funded by U.S Forgarty International Program, US National Institutes of Health.
With B Amadi, M Sinkala, R Zulu, F Kaslol, E Kawembe (University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia), Prof S Filteau, Drs S Jaffar, U Gompels, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Prof A Tomkins, Center for International Child Health, University of London. Modification of complementary foods to improve micronutrient status of Zambian infants. Funded by the Gates Foundation.
With Dr Susan Jack and Dr Ou Kevanna. Combating anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among young children in rural Cambodia through in-home fortification and nutrition education. Funded by A2Z (USAID Global Micronutrient Program, core funds); World Bank (Health Sector Support Project, Cambodia); World Health Organization (Cambodia).
Recent Publications
Poor dietary quality of complementary foods is associated with multiple micronutrient deficiencies during early childhood in Mongolia. Lander R, Enkhjargal TS, Batjargal J, Bolormaa N, Enkhmyagmar D, Tserendolgor U, Tungalag S, Bailey K, Gibson RS. Public Health Nutr. 2010 Sep;13(9):1304-13.
Influence of an iron intervention on the zinc status of young adult New Zealand women with mild iron deficiency. Prosser NR, Heath AL, Williams SM, Gibson RS.Br J Nutr. 2010 Sep;104(5):742-50.
A review of phytate, iron, zinc, and calcium concentrations in plant-based complementary foods used in low-income countries and implications for bioavailability. Gibson RS, Bailey KB, Gibbs M, Ferguson EL. Food Nutr Bull. 2010 Jun;31(2 Suppl):S134-46.
Inadequate feeding practices and impaired growth among children from subsistence farming households in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia. Gibson RS, Abebe Y, Hambidge KM, Arbide I, Teshome A, Stoecker BJ. Matern Child Nutr. 2009 Jul;5(3):260-75. E
Food-based strategies improve iron status in toddlers: a randomized controlled trial12. Szymlek-Gay EA, Ferguson EL, Heath AL, Gray AR, Gibson RS. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Dec;90(6):1541-51.
Zinc status and cognitive function of pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia. Stoecker BJ, Abebe Y, Hubbs-Tait L, Kennedy TS, Gibson RS, Arbide I, Teshome A, Westcott J, Krebs NF, Hambidge KM. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jul;63(7):916-8.
Galvanizing action: conclusions and next steps for mainstreaming zinc interventions in public health programs. Brown KH, Baker SK; IZiNCG Steering Committee. Food Nutr Bull. 2009 Mar;30(1 Suppl):S179-84. Review.
A review of interventions based on dietary diversification or modification strategies with the potential to enhance intakes of total and absorbable zinc. Gibson RS, Anderson VP. Food Nutr Bull. 2009 Mar;30(1 Suppl):S108-43. Review.
Setting priorities for zinc-related health research to reduce children's disease burden worldwide: an application of the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative's research priority-setting method. Brown KH, Hess SY, Boy E, Gibson RS, Horton S, Osendarp SJ, Sempertegui F, Shrimpton R, Rudan I. Public Health Nutr. 2009 Mar;12(3):389-96.
Multiple micronutrient deficiencies persist during early childhood in Mongolia. Lander RL, Enkhjargal T, Batjargal J, Bailey KB, Diouf S, Green TJ, Skeaff CM, Gibson RS. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(3):429-40.
Indicators of zinc status at the population level: a review of the evidence. Gibson RS, Hess SY, Hotz C, Brown KH. Br J Nutr. 2008 Jun;99 Suppl 3:S14-23. Review.
A micronutrient-fortified seasoning powder reduces morbidity and improves short-term cognitive function, but has no effect on anthropometric measures in primary school children in northeast Thailand: a randomized controlled trial. Manger MS, McKenzie JE, Winichagoon P, Gray A, Chavasit V, Pongcharoen T, Gowachirapant S, Ryan B, Wasantwisut E, Gibson RS. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;87(6):1715-22.
Co-existing micronutrient deficiencies among stunted Cambodian infants and toddlers. Anderson VP, Jack S, Monchy D, Hem N, Hok P, Bailey KB, Gibson RS. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(1):72-9.
Intakes from non-breastmilk foods for stunted toddlers living in poor urban villages of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, are inadequate. Anderson VP, Cornwall J, Jack S, Gibson RS. Matern Child Nutr. 2008 Apr;4(2):146-59.
Inadequate intakes of dietary zinc among pregnant women from subsistence households in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia. Abebe Y, Bogale A, Hambidge KM, Stoecker BJ, Arbide I, Teshome A, Krebs NF, Westcott JE, Bailey KB, Gibson RS. Public Health Nutr. 2008 Apr;11(4):379-86.
Zinc, gravida, infection, and iron, but not vitamin B-12 or folate status, predict hemoglobin during pregnancy in Southern Ethiopia. Gibson RS, Abebe Y, Stabler S, Allen RH, Westcott JE, Stoecker BJ, Krebs NF, Hambidge KM. J Nutr. 2008 Mar;138(3):581-6.
Important Past Publications
Traditional food-processing and preparation practices to enhance the bioavailability of micronutrients in plant-based diets. Hotz C, Gibson RS. J Nutr. 2007 Apr;137(4):1097-100. Review.
Does zinc deficiency play a role in stunting among primary school children in NE Thailand? Gibson RS, Manger MS, Krittaphol W, Pongcharoen T, Gowachirapant S, Bailey KB, Winichagoon P. Br J Nutr. 2007 Jan;97(1):167-75.
Zinc absorption during late pregnancy in rural southern Ethiopia. Hambidge KM, Abebe Y, Gibson RS, Westcott JE, Miller LV, Lei S, Stoecker BJ, Arbide I, Teshome A, Bailey KB, Krebs NF. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Nov;84(5):1102-6.
Major variables of zinc homeostasis in Chinese toddlers. Sheng XY, Hambidge KM, Zhu XX, Ni JX, Bailey KB, Gibson RS, Krebs NF. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Aug;84(2):389-94.
A multimicronutrient-fortified seasoning powder enhances the hemoglobin, zinc, and iodine status of primary school children in North East Thailand: a randomized controlled trial of efficacy. Winichagoon P, McKenzie JE, Chavasit V, Pongcharoen T, Gowachirapant S, Boonpraderm A, Manger MS, Bailey KB, Wasantwisut E, Gibson RS. J Nutr. 2006 Jun;136(6):1617-23.
Improving the bioavailability of nutrients in plant foods at the household level. Gibson RS, Perlas L, Hotz C. Proc Nutr Soc. 2006 May;65(2):160-8. Review.
Zinc: the missing link in combating micronutrient malnutrition in developing countries. Gibson RS. Proc Nutr Soc. 2006 Feb;65(1):51-60.
Household dietary strategies to enhance the content and bioavailability of iron, zinc and calcium of selected rice- and maize-based Philippine complementary foods. Perlas LA, Gibson RS. Matern Child Nutr. 2005 Oct;1(4):263-73.
Participatory nutrition education and adoption of new feeding practices are associated with improved adequacy of complementary diets among rural Malawian children: a pilot study. Hotz C, Gibson RS. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005 Feb;59(2):226-37.
Design and quality control issues related to dietary assessment, randomized clinical trials and meta-analysis of field-based studies in developing countries. Gibson RS, Sazawal S, Peerson JM. J Nutr. 2003 May;133(5 Suppl 1):1569S-73S. Review.
Zinc homeostasis in Malawian children consuming a high-phytate, maize-based diet. Manary MJ, Hotz C, Krebs NF, Gibson RS, Westcott JE, Broadhead RL, Hambidge KM. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Jun;75(6):1057-61.
A home-based method to reduce phytate content and increase zinc bioavailability in maize-based complementary diets. Hotz C, Gibson RS, Temple L. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2001 Mar;52(2):133-42.
The impact of malarial infection and diet on the anaemia status of rural pregnant Malawian women. Huddle JM, Gibson RS, Cullinan TR. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1999 Oct;53(10):792-801.
Complementary foods for infant feeding in developing countries: their nutrient adequacy and improvement. Gibson RS, Ferguson EL, Lehrfeld J. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998 Oct;52(10):764-70.
Nutrition intervention strategies to combat zinc deficiency in developing countries. Gibson RS, Ferguson EL. Nutr Res Rev. 1998 Jun;11(1):115-31.
Postpartum folic acid supplementation of adolescents: impact on maternal folate and zinc status and milk composition. Keizer SE, Gibson RS, O'Connor DL. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Aug;62(2):377-84.