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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Jan;111(1):141-150.
doi: 10.1111/apa.16054. Epub 2021 Aug 31.

Effect of a nutritional supplementation on growth and body composition in short and lean preadolescent boys: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Naama Fisch Shvalb  1 , Liora Lazar  1   2 , Sharon Demol  1 , Marie Mouler  1 , Marianna Rachmiel  2   3 , Eli Hershkovitz  4 , Raanan Shamir  2   5 , Moshe Phillip  1   2 , Michal Yackobovitch-Gavan  1   2
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Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of a nutritional supplementation on growth and body composition in short and lean preadolescent boys: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Naama Fisch Shvalb et al. Acta Paediatr. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation on height, weight and body composition in short and lean male preadolescents.

Methods: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of nutritional supplementation of short and lean prepubertal 10-14.5-year-old boys. Primary outcomes included Δheight-SDS and Δweight-SDS. Secondary outcomes included changes in body composition and BMI-SDS.

Results: Of 160 boys enrolled, 126 (80%) completed 6 months' intervention. Baseline age, height-SDS, weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, body composition and dietary intake were similar in the formula and placebo groups. 'Good' formula consumers (intake of ≥50% of the recommended dose, n = 30) gained significantly more in weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, fat-free-mass and muscle mass (p < 0.05) than did 'poor' consumers (n = 35) and the placebo group (n = 61). Only in the formula group, positive dose-response correlations were found between consumption of the formula and changes in the outcome parameters examined, including Δheight-SDS (r = 0.301, p = 0.015). Boys aged >11.4 years who were 'good' formula consumers maintained their Δheight-SDS, while Δheight-SDS declined in 'poor' consumers and the placebo group of the same age (p = 0.033).

Conclusion: Intervention with a multi-nutrient, protein-rich formula was effective in increasing weight-SDS, fat-free-mass, muscle mass and BMI-SDS in short and lean prepubertal male adolescents. Good consumption of the formula prevented Δheight-SDS decline in the older participants.

Keywords: body composition; linear growth; nutritional supplementation; preadolescents; short stature.

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References

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