Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Effect of a Newly Developed Ready-To-Use Supplementary Food on Growth Indicators in Children With Mild to Moderate Malnutrition Publisher Pubmed



Azimi F1 ; Esmaillzadeh A2 ; Alipoor E3 ; Moslemi M4 ; Yaseri M5 ; Hosseinzadehattar MJ1, 6
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Food and Drug Laboratories Research Center, Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center (CPPRC), Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Public Health Published:2020


Abstract

Objectives: Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of death among children younger than five years. In this study, we aimed to formulate a ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF), based on local food products, and investigate its efficacy on growth indicators in children with mild to moderate malnutrition. Study design: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: This study was performed in six health centers in Shahr-e-Rey, Tehran, Iran, between April and October 2017. One hundred children, aged 24–59 months, with mild to moderate malnutrition (weight-for-height Z-score [WHZ] between −3 and −1) were randomly assigned to two groups to receive either 1–3 sachets of RUSF or normal diet for 8 weeks. All mothers and caregivers received nutrition education. Growth indicators including weight and height, WHZ, and body mass index (BMI), along with clinical outcomes, were assessed. Results: Children who received RUSF had a significant increase in weight (1.44 ± 0.38 vs 0.7 ± 0.32 kg, respectively, P < 0.001), and BMI (1.2 ± 0.47 vs 0.35 ± 0.33 kg/m2, respectively, P < 0.001) compared with the control group. There was a greater daily weight gain during the first 4 weeks (P < 0.001) and throughout the study (P = 0.013) in the RUSF group. Daily height gain was considerably higher in the RUSF group during the first 4 weeks (P = 0.027). Children in the RUSF group had more improvement in WHZ (1.18 ± 0.41 vs 0.41 ± 0.31, P < 0.001) after supplementation. Besides, 92% of the RUSF and 12% of the control group reached to WHZ > −1 at the end of the study (P < 0.001). There was lower prevalence of diarrhea (12% vs 28.6%, respectively, P = 0.01) and marginally lower fever (16% vs 36.7%, respectively, P = 0.05) in the intervention than in the control group. Conclusions: A newly developed RUSF improved growth indicators and clinical outcomes in children with mild to moderate malnutrition. Clinical Trial Registry number: IRCT2017021315536N6 (registered at www.irct.ir) © 2020 The Royal Society for Public Health
Related Docs
1. The Association of Serum Levels of Zinc and Vitamin D With Wasting Among Iranian Pre-School Children, Eating and Weight Disorders (2021)
2. Effectiveness of the National Food Supplementary Program on Children Growth and Nutritional Status in Iran, Maternal and Child Nutrition (2018)
3. Effectiveness of Community Nutrition-Specific Interventions on Improving Malnutrition of Children Under 5 Years of Age in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Arash Rashidian (1)
Ahmad Esmaillzadeh (1)