Impact of long-term use of oral nutritional supplement on nutritional adequacy, dietary diversity, food intake and growth of Filipino preschool children

Abstract

Nutrient deficiencies during childhood have adverse effects on child growth and health. In a single-arm 48-week long-term intervention, we previously reported the efficacy of oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) and dietary counselling on catch-up growth and growth maintenance in nutritionally at-risk Filipino children. The present analysis was done to assess the contributing effects of ONS to nutritional adequacy, dietary diversity, food intake and longitudinal growth. ONS (450 ml) was consumed daily providing 450 kcal (1880 kJ) and at least 50 % of micronutrient requirements among 200 children aged 3–4 years with weight-for-height percentiles between 5th and 25th (WHO Growth Standards). Weight, height and dietary intakes using 24-h food recalls were measured at baseline, and at weeks 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48. Nutrient adequacy and dietary diversity score (DDS) were calculated. Generalised estimating equations were used to assess the effects of total nutrient intakes, DDS, ONS compliance and sociodemographic factors on longitudinal growth. The percentages of children with adequate intake of energy, protein, Fe, Ca and some vitamins at each post-baseline visit were improved from baseline, reaching 100 % for most nutrients. DDS was also increased from baseline and reached significance from week 16 onwards (P < 0·01). Male children, total energy intake and parental employment status were associated with weight-for-height percentile gain (P < 0·05), whereas higher parental education level and ONS compliance were significantly associated with height-for-age percentile gain over time (P < 0·05). Long-term ONS intervention did not interfere with normal food intake and helped promote nutritional adequacy and growth of Filipino children.

Effects of Nutrient-Fortified Milk-Based Formula on the Nutritional Status and Psychomotor Skills of Preschool Children

“…Twelve weeks consumption of fortified milk group increased the height of preschool children by 1.40 ± 0.04 cm, weight by 1.35 ± 0.04 kg, body mass index of 0.96 ± 0.04 kg/m 2 , and mid-upper arm circumference of 0.66 ± 0.01 cm. Findings in the present study are consistent with studies on the effect of milk supplementation on anthropometric status of children [ 11 , 16 , 20 ]. The average increase in height of a preschool child is about 2-3 inches a year or around 0.17–0.25 inch (0.43–0.64 cm) a month, while the average weight gain is about 5-6 pounds per year or 0.19–0.23 kg per month [ 8 ].…”

“…Only 27.6% of children aged 6 months to 5 years drink milk [ 1 ]. Most Filipino children have low energy and nutrient intakes [ 20 ] which may have long term effects not only in their anthropometric measurements but also in their psychomotor abilities [ 10 – 16 ]. Identifying viable means of providing significant nutrients therefore may be of high importance.…”

Association of Picky Eating with Growth, Nutritional Status, Development, Physical Activity, and Health in Preschool Children

“…Picky eaters (aged 3–5 years) with faltering growth who were randomized to receive 3-month oral nutritional supplementation had significantly greater increases in weight and height than non-supplemented controls, and developed proportionally fewer upper respiratory tract infections ( 35 ). Long-standing oral nutritional supplementation helped promote nutritional adequacy and growth in Filipino children who were at risk of nutritional deficiency ( 36 ). The results showed that long-term use of oral nutritional supplement improved food diversity and promoted adequate intake of nutrients that were inadequate in Filipino children’s diets without interfering the intake of normal family foods.…”

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Interventions for Growth Suppression in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treated With Central Nervous System Stimulants

“…Past work has found that caloric supplementation leads to accelerated height in severely underweight children. 42,43 Therefore, it is possible that only children experiencing marked weight loss with CNS stimulants, which is relatively uncommon, 13 may exhibit increased height velocity with caloric supplementation.…”